Dumping Syndrome

Dumping Syndrome or rapid gastric emptying occurs when the lower end of the small intestine or the jejunum gets filled beyond capacity with undigested food. Medically, early dumping is initiated either during or immediately after a meal. This condition is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea and breathlessness. On the other hand late dumping takes place between one and three hours after eating. The symptoms of late dumping include weakness and profuse sweating. The main cause of this condition is stomach surgery. Stomach surgery results in the damage of the system that controls digestion. This condition is also observed in patients suffering from Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. This is a rare peptic ulcer disease that results in gastrin-secreting tumors within the pancreas.

Dumping syndrome can be clinically diagnosed through blood tests. The treatment includes a diet change over to include several small low carb meals a day, plenty of liquids between meals and prescribed medication. The liquid intake however, should not be with the meals. People diagnosed with severe cases of gastric dumping syndrome need to follow up on the prescribed medication religiously to slow down the digestion process. This condition is most common in patients who have undergone gastectomy or gastric bypass surgery or cholecystectomy. The former surgery is conducted to enable the stomach to empty quickly, while the latter involves the removal of the gall bladder.

The capacity of the adult stomach is approximately between 1.5 and 2 liters. The location of the stomach within the human anatomy, in the abdomen results in a considerable amount of distensibility. Alteration in the anatomy of the gastric system post surgery has a profound effect on the vital gastric emptying. Dumping syndrome or gastric dumping syndrome is the result of the alterations in the storage function of the stomach. The severity of the condition is directly proportional to the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric emptying is naturally regulated by fundic tone and antropyloric mechanisms, that work together with duodenal feedback and any gastric surgery alters the mechanism.

Dumping syndrome or gastric dumping syndrome is also observed in patients with esophageal cancer, who have had an esophagectomy. Esophagectomy is the surgery performed to remove the cancerous portion of their esophagus. During the surgery, the stomach is tucked into the chest cavity and attached to the reminant of the esophagus. This in thrun results in a shorter digestive tract. In this condition, both early and late dumping can occur. Patients with Ehlers Danlos syndrome have also been diagnosed with late dumping on account of the decreased motility that accompanies the connective tissue condiiton. Certain clincial tests may be necessary to eliminate the presence of any other condition that may involve similar signs and symptoms.

Dumping syndrome or gastric dumping syndrome can be avoided by following a nutritionist-guided and monitored well balanced diet. The prescribed changes in the eating habits and the medication are the only ways by which the severity of the condition can be minimized. The meal change over is designed to omit the intake of simple sugars in the form of desserts and lower the carbohydrate consumption. The medication prescribed in a case of clinically diagnosed Dumping syndrome includes Protonix, Questran or Prevalite. However, in severe cases, surgery may be suggested.

Gastric resection reduces the stomach's receptive capacity to a meal and the result is the patho-physiology of dumping syndrome. 25% to 50% of the patients who have undergone gastric surgery show symptoms of dumping syndrome. In children, dumping syndrome is seen in children who have undergone Nissen fundoplication. The condition is in a way related to or arises from any alteration to the gastric system. The importance of the entire system within which the food we eat is digested and ingested within the system is most evident in this condition. Dumping syndrome or gastric dumping syndrome can be effectively treated within a pattern of strict diet regulation and medication.