Sign 8: Vomiting
There’s no dressing it up: vomiting is one of the more distressing manifestations of dumping syndrome. While many symptoms might be hard to pin down or explain, this is overt, immediate, and unmistakably a signal that the body is in distress.
The path to understanding this symptom starts in the stomach. When food is dumped too rapidly into the small intestine, it can lead to a host of problems. Your body, recognizing the sudden onslaught, can sometimes react defensively. The osmotic balance is disturbed as the intestine draws in large amounts of fluid to cope with the undigested food. This sudden fluid shift can stretch the intestine, causing discomfort and leading the body to take a drastic measure: expelling the contents via vomiting.
But vomiting isn’t a solo act. It often brings along a series of repercussions. From dehydration due to the loss of fluids to an imbalance in electrolytes, the act of vomiting can lead to other complications. Furthermore, repeated episodes can cause wear and tear on the esophagus, leading to issues like acid reflux.
Beyond the physical, there’s an undeniable emotional toll. The unpredictability of when it might strike, the embarrassment of a public episode, the constant vigilance about what and when to eat – these all layer onto the stress of dealing with dumping syndrome. Moreover, it can lead to a heightened sense of anxiety, especially surrounding meals. (8)
