Dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying) occurs when undigested food empties too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. This food is not broken down enough for the small intestine to efficiently absorb nutrients.

Dumping syndrome is most commonly seen after stomach surgery such as fundoplication, gastric bypass, or removal of all or part of the stomach, usually for ulcer disease. Patients with symptoms suggestive of functional dyspepsia may have rapid gastric emptying.

The symptoms of dumping syndrome include nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dizzy spells, weakness and cold sweats either with or after eating. Early symptoms begin during or right after a meal. These include nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue. Late dumping symptoms occur 1–3 hours after eating and include hypoglycemia, weakness, sweating, and dizziness. People with dumping syndrome often have both types of symptoms.

The diagnosis of dumping syndrome is based primarily on symptoms in people who have had gastric surgery. Tests may be needed to exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms. Gastric emptying demonstrates rapid stomach emptying, especially in early scans taken one half and one hour after eating the test meal which shows nearly complete stomach emptying.

Medical management of dumping symptoms involves dietary changes, and at times, the use of medications. A change in diet is tried in most cases as the initial treatment. In moderate to severe cases, medications are taken to slow the stomach emptying and movement of food in the GI tract. Rarely, doctors recommend surgery.