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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffWhen symptoms of dumping syndrome occur during a meal or within 15 to 30 minutes following a meal, they may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain, cramps
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Bloating, belching
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations, rapid heart rate
When signs and symptoms develop later, usually one to three hours after eating, they may include:
- Sweating
- Weakness, fatigue
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Shakiness
- Feelings of anxiety, nervousness
- Heart palpitations, rapid heart rate
- Fainting
- Mental confusion
- Diarrhea
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Some people experience both early and late signs and symptoms. Conditions such as dizziness and heart palpitations can occur either early or late — or both. No matter when problems develop, however, they may be worse following a high-sugar meal, especially one that's rich in table sugar (sucrose) or fruit sugar (fructose).
Some people also experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), related to excessive levels of insulin delivered to the bloodstream as part of the syndrome. Hypoglycemia is more often related to late signs and symptoms. Insulin influences your tissues to take up the sugar present in your bloodstream.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if any of the following apply to you.
- You develop signs and symptoms that might be due to dumping syndrome, even if you haven't had surgery.
- Your symptoms worsen.
- You are losing large amounts of weight due to dumping syndrome. Your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian to help you create the most appropriate eating plan.
- Rapid gastric emptying. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/rapidgastricemptying/. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
- Tack J, et al. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of postoperative dumping syndrome. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2009;6:583.
- Mun EC, et al. Complications of bariatric surgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Mun EC, et al. Medical management of patients after bariatric surgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Deitel, M. The change in the dumping syndrome concept. Obesity Surgery. 2008;18:1622.
- Hejazi RA, et al. Dumping syndrome: Establishing criteria for diagnosis and identifying new etiologies. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2010;55:117.
- Dumping syndrome. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. http://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/B_EXTRANET_HEALTH_INFORMATION-FlexMember-Show_Public_HFFY_1104449365863.html. Accessed Feb. 27, 2010.
- Pectin. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Feb. 27, 2010.
- Guar gum. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Feb. 27, 2010.
- Black psyllium. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Feb. 27, 2010.
- Blond psyllium. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Feb. 27, 2010.
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