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Case-based MCQ | #Case_398 | #answer
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With gasterectomy in history,
dumping syndrome is the most likely underlying cause to this presentation. Dumping syndrome is the effect of
altered gastric reservoir function, abnormal gastric motor function, and/or pyloric emptying mechanism. In term of temporal relation to eating, dumping syndrome can have early or late manifestations:
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Early dumping: Symptoms of early dumping syndrome occur
30-60 minutes after a meal and are believed to result from
accelerated gastric emptying of hyperosmolar contents into the small bowel. This leads to fluid
shift from the intravascular compartment into the bowel lumen, resulting in
rapid small bowel distention and
increase in the frequency of bowel contractions.
Even in healthy persons without gastric surgery,
rapid instillation of liquid meals into the small
bowel has shown to induce
dumping syndrome. Rapid shift of fluid into the intestinal lumen
results in
decreased circulating volume, triggering a
vasomotor response presenting with
tachycardia and lightheadedness.
▫Late dumping: Late dumping occurs
1-3 hours after a meal. The pathogenesis is thought to be related to the early development of
hyperinsulinemic (reactive) hypoglycemia. Rapid delivery of a meal to the small intestine results in an initial high concentration of carbohydrates in the proximal small bowel and
rapid absorption of glucose. This is replied by a
hyperinsulinemic response. The high insulin levels stay for longer period and are responsible for the
subsequent hypoglycemia. The diagram summarises the mechanism through which the dumping syndrome develops.
The clinical presentation of dumping syndrome can be categorized as
abdominal versus vasomotor symptoms, and based on the time of onset as early versus late.
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Early dumping systemic symptoms: Desire to lie down, Palpitations, Fatigue, Faintness, Syncope, Diaphoresis, Headache, Flushing
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Early dumping abdominal symptoms: Epigastric fullness, Diarrhea, Nausea, Abdominal cramps, Borborygmi
These symptoms can be collectively referred to as dyspepsia.
🔻Late dumping symptoms: Perspiration, Shakiness, Difficulty to concentrate, Decreased consciousness, Hunger
For patients with dumping syndrome,
dietary modification is the firstline management option. The following pieces of advice are appropriate:
✔ Daily energy intake is
divided into 6 meals.
✔ Fluid intake
during and with meals be
restricted and liquids be
avoided for at
least half an hour after a meal.
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Avoiding simple sugars.
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Milk and milk products are generally
not tolerated and should be
avoided.
✔ Because carbohydrate intake is restricted,
protein and fat intake should be
increased to fulfill energy needs.
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Additional points to consider:
Supplementation with
dietary fiber has proven effective in the treatment of hypoglycemic episodes. Many medical therapies have been tested, including pectin, guar gum, and glucomannan. These
dietary fibers form gels with carbohydrates, resulting in
delayed glucose absorption and prolongation of bowel transit time.
Dietary change to a
low-carbohydrate, high protein diet, as well as the use of
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, may be useful to control the symptoms of dumping. This is
preferential to subtotal or total pancreatectomy in those persons with
severe symptoms. Most patients have relatively
mild symptoms and respond well to
dietary changes. In some patients with
postprandial hypotension,
lying supine for 30 minutes after meals may delay gastric emptying and also increase venous return, thereby
minimizing the chances of syncope