What is a dumping syndrome?

The dumping syndrome is a complex of symptoms consisting of abdominal and circulatory problems, altered intestinal motor activity and altered bowel movement and occurs when the stomach is either significantly reduced in size, removed by surgery or bypassed by a bypass. A distinction is made between early and late dumping syndrome. The English word “dumping”, which can be translated with the German word “plumpen”, already points out the problem: if the stomach is switched off in its function as the first catchment reservoir, the ingested food reaches the small intestine directly via the bypass – “it therefore plumps through”.

In the early dumping syndrome, which can occur as early as 20 minutes after eating, the undigested, undiluted food reaches the small intestine and has an osmotic effect, i.e. it draws water. The results are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and circulatory problems. The symptoms of hypoglycaemia, such as cold sweat, nausea, and circulatory problems, can occur about 1-3 hours after eating. The reason for this is that the sugary food reaches the small intestine in disproportionate amounts and thus leads to hypoglycaemia of the blood. The body compensates by releasing excessive amounts of insulin for the absorption of sugar, which can lead to hypoglycemia.

What diet helps against diarrhea?

Diarrhea after a gastric bypass operation is primarily caused by the fact that the food ingested reaches the small intestine undiluted without “predigestion” in the stomach, where it initially has a water-draining (osmotic) effect. Water is thus transported from the body into the intestine. The rapid transport of food into the small intestine also causes the intestinal wall to expand, which leads to increased stimulation of the intestinal motor functions.

Both cause symptoms of diarrhea. It may be noticeable that the thin stool appears shiny and smells conspicuously, which is associated with the lack of absorption of fats from food (fatty stools). The diarrhea symptoms can be reduced by ensuring that meals are significantly smaller, but several meals are taken at shorter intervals.

This prevents “overloading” of the digestive system. In addition, care must be taken to ensure an adequate fluid intake, as a lot of water can be lost through the liquid stool. If the diarrhea cannot be adjusted in such a way, a physician should be visited, with whom about a medicamentous therapy can be thought.