Mindful Eating Programs and Training

Mindful Eating Programs and Training

Search
Close this search box.

What Causes Dumping Syndrome?

Michelle May

Bloated Overweight ManAbout half of gastric bypass patients (and a small number of sleeve patients) experience dumping syndrome.

The symptoms of dumping syndrome may include feeling shaky, sweaty, weak, dizzy, faint, anxious, and/or nauseated. Vomiting/diarrhea may follow. Symptoms typically occur within 15 to 30 minutes of eating too quickly, drinking liquid with meals, or consuming foods that are too concentrated, particularly sugary and high-protein liquids.

So what causes dumping syndrome? In a gastric bypass procedure, a significant part of the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the intestine) are bypassed, When food (especially sugar) is “dumped” into the second part of the intestine too quickly, the body may flood the intestines with fluid in an attempt to dilute the sugar. That causes the symptoms of dumping syndrome.

Pinpointing the Cause of Dumping Syndrome

Use your Mindful Eating for Bariatric Surgery Awareness Journal to help you pinpoint the cause of symptoms. Below is a list of the most common causes of dumping syndrome.

  • Simple sugar – particularly sucrose found in table sugar, syrup, candy, ice cream, and other desserts—is an especially common cause of dumping syndrome.
  • Reading ingredient labels can help you identify other culprits such as corn syrup, honey, or molasses.
  • Other simple carbohydrates like fruit and dairy are less likely to cause dumping unless they contain added sugar, like canned fruit or sweetened yogurt.
  • Some people find that refined carbohydrates are also problematic.
  • Eating too fast.
  • Drinking liquids during your meal since it speeds the rate of food dumping into the jejunum.
  • While less common, notice whether eating foods high in protein (such as a high protein shake that is too concentrated and/or contains more than 60 grams of protein), high in fat, or foods that are too cold or too hot lead to dumping or other uncomfortable symptoms.

Mindful awareness will help you identify and manage the causes of dumping syndrome.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

About the Author

Leave A Reply

4 thoughts on “What Causes Dumping Syndrome?”

  1. Good Evening. I have a few questions if you could answer.. Ok I’m highly considering WLS because I have a neurological disease called Pseudotumor Cereibri. This condition causes increase in the Innercrainial area surrounding my brain. I’ve had this condition for 28 years. I’m 48 years old..I was told that loosing weight would make my condition go into remission….Question. How soon after surgery will I be able to eat or drink? I also suffer from Anxiety!!!!

    1. Thanks for your question Dawn. There are many variables so it is important for you to speak with the surgical team to discuss your situation and your questions. Best wishes!

Comments are closed.

Your journey is unique so we provide options to explore mindful eating in a way that meets your needs.