Dumping syndrome is a group of symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, and feeling light-headed or tired after a meal, that is caused by rapid gastric emptying. Rapid gastric emptying occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from your stomach into your small bowel too quickly.
Symptoms
Most symptoms generally occur right after finishing a meal especially a meal that is high in sugar either table sugar (glucose) or fruit sugar (fructose), or after eating a high fat/greasy meal. Symptoms can include:
- Feeling bloated or too full after eating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Flushing
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Rapid Heart Rate
Early on-set Dumping Syndrome occurs within 10-30 mins after finishing a meal.
Late on-set Dumping Syndrome occurs within 1-3 hours after finishing a meal due to insulin removing blood sugar rapidly and can result in low blood sugars. A symptom of late on-set dumping syndrome can be sweating, flushing, dizziness, weakness or rapid heart rate.
Ways to Prevent: Having adequate protein at each meal (15-20g), pairing complex carbohydrates (fruits, whole grains, legumes, starchy-vegetables) with protein at meals. Remember to limit carbs to 15g or less at meals or between 30-45g per day. If you experience low blood sugars from late on-set dumping syndrome treat with a protein shake or a protein food and not a simple carbohydrate like juice.
For any additional questions regarding dumping syndrome please talk with your dietitian.
Posted in Bariatric Nutrition