treatment

Last reviewed 07/2022

Dumping is difficult to treat. The patient is best advised to modify their food intake so as to minimise rapid gastric emptying. The condition usually settles with time - less than 2% remain affected after 6 months.

Small, dry meals with minimal carbohydrate is effective against early dumping. Drinks should be avoided during meals.

Exercise worsens late dumping so that susceptible patients should rest for an hour or so following food.

Severe persistent dumping may be treated surgically, either by closing a gastroenterostomy or by inserting a short reversed segment of jejunum just beyond the pylorus.