Dumping syndrome

A healthcare professional may use some of the following methods to diagnose dumping syndrome.

• Medical history and evaluation. A healthcare professional can often diagnose dumping syndrome by taking a medical history, particularly if you've had stomach surgery, and evaluating your signs and symptoms.
• Blood sugar test. Because low blood sugar is sometimes associated with dumping syndrome, an oral glucose tolerance test may be done. This test measures your blood sugar level at the peak time of your symptoms to help confirm the diagnosis.
• Gastric emptying test. A radioactive material is added to food to measure how quickly food moves through your stomach.

Early dumping syndrome is likely to resolve on its own within three months. In the meantime, there's a good chance that dietary changes will ease your symptoms. If not, medicines or surgery may be recommended.

Medicines

If changes to your diet don't improve symptoms, octreotide (Sandostatin) may be prescribed. This anti-diarrheal medicine is administered by injection under the skin and can slow the emptying of food into the intestine. Possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea and fatty stools.

Talk with your healthcare team about the proper way to self-administer the medicine.

Surgery

If conservative approaches don't help, surgery may be recommended. Depending on your situation, surgical procedures to treat dumping syndrome may include reconstructing the pylorus or surgery to reverse gastric bypass surgery.

Here are some dietary strategies that can help you maintain good nutrition and minimize your symptoms.

• Eat smaller meals. Try eating five or six small meals a day rather than three larger ones.
• Lie down after meals. Try lying down for 30 minutes after you eat.
• Drink most of your fluids between meals. At first, don't drink anything for 30 to 60 minutes before and after meals.
• Drink 6 to 8 cups (1.4 to 1.9 liters) of fluids a day. At first, limit fluid with meals to 1/2 cup (118 milliliters). Increase fluid with meals as you tolerate it.

• Change your diet. Eat more protein, including meat, poultry, creamy peanut butter and fish, and complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal and other whole-grain foods high in fiber. Limit high-sugar foods, such as candy, table sugar, syrup, sodas and juices.

  The natural sugar in dairy products (lactose) might worsen your symptoms. Try small amounts at first, or eliminate them if you think they're causing problems. You might want to see a registered dietitian for more advice about what to eat.

• Increase fiber intake. Guar gum and pectin in food or supplements can delay the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine.
• Check with your healthcare team about drinking alcohol.

Some people use supplements such as pectin and guar gum to thicken the digestive contents and slow its progress through the intestines. If you decide to try a supplement, discuss it with your healthcare team to learn about possible side effects or interactions with other medicines you're taking.

If you have symptoms of dumping syndrome, you're likely to first see a member of your healthcare team. You may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating digestive system disorders, called a gastroenterologist.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do beforehand, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
• List all medicines, vitamins or other supplements you take, including dosage.
• Take a family member or friend along to help you remember everything.
• Bring your medical records about past treatment, especially stomach surgery.
• Write down questions to ask during your appointment.

Questions to ask your doctor

For dumping syndrome, some basic questions to ask include:

• What is likely causing my symptoms?
• What are other possible causes?
• What tests do I need?
• What is the best course of action?
• Should I see a dietitian?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

You'll likely be asked a few questions, including:

• Have you had stomach surgery, and if so, what kind?
• When did your symptoms begin?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How long after eating do your symptoms begin?
• Do certain foods make your symptoms worse?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?