Some surgeries cut into or remove parts of the stomach. Complications may result from stomach surgeries. Dumping syndrome can result in one fourth to half of people who had gastric bypass, according to the Georgia Health Information website. Contents of the stomach empty too fast, which results in diarrhea and cramping. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and weakness also occur. Following a specific diet can help alleviate symptoms.
Features
The dumping syndrome diet includes small meals low in roughage, fat and simple sugars. You should consume six small meals on this diet, and avoid drinking fluids with meals. Mixing food and fluid causes the stomach to work harder. Chew food well before swallowing, because it eases digestion. The diet includes low roughage foods, because they digest easily. These foods contain small amounts of fiber. Avoid popcorn, seeds, nuts, shredded wheat and skin on fruit. Fatty foods need to be avoided as well, because they take longer to digest. Fried foods, cakes and cookies have high amounts of fat. Simple sugars, also found in cakes and cookies, digest fast. This may aggravate the stomach and make dumping syndrome worse. Look for simple sugars like sucrose, fructose, honey and corn syrup on foods labels.
Benefits
Following a low roughage diet helps control dumping syndrome issues by resting the stomach. Fiber makes the stomach work harder, because it takes longer to process. The diet also contains foods low in fat and sugar. Fatty foods contain high amounts of calories. Eating a low-fat diet can help maintain a healthy weight. Staying at a healthy weight reduces symptoms of heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. A diet low in sugar promotes good health as well. Sugary foods can damage the gums and teeth.
Misconceptions
Dumping syndrome cannot be avoided, but drugs may help reduce the severity of the disease. Medication helps slow the passage of food from the stomach, which relieves symptoms. Some drugs slow the digestion of carbohydrates. However, you should only resort to medication in severe cases of dumping syndrome. The drugs may not work for everyone.
Considerations
Dumping syndrome may improve without medical treatment. However, you may need to adjust the diet to help eliminate symptoms. Avoiding acidic foods may help reduce symptoms of dumping syndrome. Foods like tomatoes and citrus fruit may be difficult to digest for some people.
You may need to take a vitamin. Iron and calcium levels can diminish after stomach surgeries when dumping syndrome occurs.
You may experience side effects when taking medication to treat dumping syndrome. Taking drugs may cause sudden hunger, weakness and headaches.
Warning
Weight loss and malnutrition can occur in severe cases of dumping syndrome. These individuals may experience diarrhea, because the intestines do not work well. They may also vomit food. People who lose a high amount of weight may develop an eating disorder. The discomfort from diarrhea and throwing up may cause an aversion to food.
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