Dumping syndrome is a collection of symptoms that happens when food is dumped too soon from the stomach to the small intestines. You may experience vomiting, stomach pain, or bloating after eating.
The most common cause of dumping syndrome is surgery on the digestive tract. This includes bariatric, esophageal, or gastric surgeries. Up to half of all people who have some type of gastric surgery will experience dumping syndrome. The risk varies among surgeries. Diabetes mellitus or viral illness can sometimes trigger dumping syndrome.
Typically, digestion begins in the stomach. Acids and enzymes in the stomach break down food into smaller nutrients before it moves on to your small and large intestines. Surgery on the digestive tract can reduce your stomach’s ability to store and digest food. This can cause your stomach to empty partially digested, larger food into the small intestine.
Moving undigested food into your small intestines doesn’t give your body the chance to access the nutrients and can trigger the symptoms of dumping syndrome. The condition improves with time and diet changes, but it could take months for a noticeable improvement.
There are two main types of dumping syndrome: late dumping and early dumping. Each type has different symptoms and is named based on how soon the stomach dumps the food after you eat. Early dumping syndrome is more common than late dumping syndrome.
Early Dumping Syndrome
Early dumping syndrome happens 10-30 minutes after eating. It’s usually caused by physical changes to the digestive tract during surgery that make it difficult for the stomach to hold food. Hormonal imbalances between gut hormones can also cause delayed digestion.
Your small intestines don’t typically hold undigested food in large amounts. This shift causes digestive symptoms, such as:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal cramping or pain
You may notice a gurgling or growling noise in your stomach. This is the sound of the undigested food moving through your small intestines. You may also feel discomfort and fullness in your upper stomach.
Along with stomach symptoms, you may experience symptoms from changes to your blood vessels. Your blood vessels react to the shift in fluids in the digestive tract. This can lower your alertness, increase your heart rate, and cause temporary changes in skin color.
You may feel faint or lightheaded due to a drop in blood pressure. Instead of fainting, most people feel tired and have the urge to lie down. Fainting is a less common symptom. While your blood pressure drops, you may notice your heart beating faster.
You may also experience symptoms like headaches after eating, increased sweating, and pale skin or flushed cheeks.
Late Dumping Syndrome
About one in four people who have had surgery for gastric cancer may develop late dumping syndrome. It may take up to a few years for symptoms to develop. Some people may notice them within three months.
Late dumping syndrome is triggered by undigested carbohydrates in your small intestine. The presence of these carbohydrates causes a spike in insulin levels in your bloodstream. High insulin levels contribute to low blood sugar. This chain reaction causes the symptoms of late dumping syndrome.
When you have low blood sugar and not enough glucose to fuel your body, your brain lacks energy. This can cause weakness, confusion, or fatigue. Some people faint. You may become hungry even though you just ate, as your brain is signaling to you that it needs more energy.
Late dumping syndrome also activates your nervous system. This can cause sweating, hand tremors, or irritability. It may feel like your heart is skipping a beat.
Dumping syndrome in children occurs after corrective surgery for congenital (at birth) abnormalities or bariatric surgery. Dumping syndrome can be more challenging to diagnose in children. It also varies based on the surgery. Up to 30% of children who have received a Nissen operation have dumping syndrome.
Unlike adults, children don’t typically show symptoms of early dumping syndrome. Late dumping syndrome is more apparent. Low blood sugar levels in children may affect the brain. Children may experience developmental delays or seizures.
You should contact a healthcare provider if you think you may have early or late dumping syndrome. Reach out if you experience stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting regularly after eating. You may be more at risk if you’ve had surgery in the last few years.
Your healthcare provider can evaluate you to determine if you may have dumping syndrome and create a healthcare team to support your medical needs. This may include a registered dietitian to help develop meal plans. They may recommend medication or surgical intervention if dietary changes aren’t helping.
Sometimes, dumping syndrome mirrors other conditions. If you notice sharp, sudden stomach pain with a fever, seek emergency treatment. If your pain is in the lower right part of your abdomen, this may indicate appendicitis, which requires immediate medical treatment. Delaying emergency care can cause complications and prolong recovery.
Dumping syndrome is a collection of symptoms that happen when the stomach dumps undigested food into the small intestines. It usually occurs after gastric or bariatric surgery.
If you have early dumping syndrome, you may notice vomiting, headaches, or gurgling in your stomach within 30 minutes of finishing your meal. If you have late dumping syndrome, you may experience tremors, fatigue, or confusion one to three hours after eating. The condition usually improves within a few months with specific diet changes.
