Dumping syndrome

Your health care provider may use some of the following methods to determine if you have dumping syndrome.

• Medical history and evaluation. Your doctor 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, your doctor may order a test (oral glucose tolerance) to measure 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, your health care provider may recommend medications or surgery.

Medications

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

Talk with your doctor about the proper way to self-administer the drug.

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 5 or 6 small meals a day rather than three larger ones.
• Eat slowly, chew your food completely and sit upright for 30 to 60 minutes after you eat. You may get cramps, diarrhea or nausea if you eat too much at once.
• 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 doctor 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 doctor to learn about potential side effects or interactions with other medications you're taking.

If you have signs and symptoms of dumping syndrome, you're likely to first see your family health care provider. You may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating digestive system disorders (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 medications, 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 your health care provider.

Questions to ask your doctor

For dumping syndrome, some basic questions to ask your health care provider 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

Your health care provider is likely to ask you 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?