What Is Sjogren's Syndrome? What Causes Sjogren's Syndrome?

Sjogren's syndrome (Sjögrens Syndrome) is a chronic disorder of the immune system - a long-term autoimmune disease - in which the patient's white blood cells attack the saliva and tear glands, leading to dry mouth and eyes because the body's tear and saliva production is reduced. Sometimes the gland responsible for keeping the vagina moist is also affected, resulting in vaginal dryness. There can also be pain and stiffness in the joints and aching muscles.

An autoimmune disease is one when the healthy tissues and cells are mistakenly attacked by the body's own immune system. The immune system is designed to attack invaders of the body that do us harm - pathogens. A person with an autoimmune disease has abnormal antibodies circulating in the blood that attack healthy tissues as if they were harmful pathogens, such as infectious viruses or bacteria.

Doctors classify Sjogren's syndrome as either primary or secondary Sjogren's syndrome: Primary Sjogren's syndrome - the condition does not develop as a result of another condition, it is not the consequence of another condition.Secondary Sjogren's syndrome - the condition develops because of or alongside another condition, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.Sjogren's syndrome can develop at any age. However, the majority of patients are diagnosed after the age of 40 years. 90% of patients are female. Symptoms commonly subside after some time.

There are approximately 4 million people in the USA and half-a-million in the UK with Sjogren's syndrome.

A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign can be spotted by other people, such as a doctor. An example of a sign is a rash, while a symptom may be pain.

The most common symptoms associated with Sjogren's syndrome include dry eyes and dry mouth. Females may also report vaginal dryness. Dry eyes and dry mouth can be linked to other symptoms.

Signs and symptoms associated with dry mouth: Tooth decay, and eventual loss of teethPersistent dry coughProblems chewingProblems swallowingVoice becomes hoarseSome people may have difficulty speakingSalivary glands become swollenRecurring oral thrush (fungal infection in the mouth)Signs and symptoms associated with dry eyes: A sensation that there is something in the eye(s), such as sand or gravelEyes become and look tiredItchy eyesMucus discharge from the eyesPhotophobia - sensitivity to lightStinging or burning eyesSwollen eyelidsIrritated eyelidsSmoky, air-conditioned or windy environments can exacerbate the symptoms. Airplane travel can worsen symptoms. In some cases, the patient's immune system may attack other parts of the body, causing the following signs and symptoms: General tirednessAching musclesInflammation of joints, as well as stiffness and painPeripheral neuropathy - numbness and sometimes pain in the arms or legsRaynaud's phenomenon - hands feel painful, cold and numbVasculitis - the blood vessels become inflamedSjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease - the patient's immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues, mistaking them for dangerous pathogens, such as infectious bacteria or viruses.

Experts are not sure why Sjogren's syndrome affects some individuals, and not others. Studies have indicated that some viral or bacterial infections can trigger the disease.

Initially, with Sjogren's syndrome the salivary and tear glands are attacked and harmed by the immune system, resulting in less moisture production - less saliva in the mouth and tears in the eyes. The vaginal glands may also be affected, causing vaginal dryness.

The tear, salivary and vaginal glands are collectively known as the exocrine glands. Exocrine glands are glands of external secretion. They secrete a substance out through a duct. Examples include salivary, tear and sweat glands, as well as glands within the gastrointestinal tract.

However, other parts of the body may also be attacked and harmed, including the nerves, skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, and thyroid gland.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome - as mentioned before, experts are not sure what the exact cause of Sjogren's syndrome is. Most believe it is likely to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Some people are probably born with certain genes that make them more susceptible to having an abnormal immune system. Sometime during their life, an environmental factor, such as hepatitis C viral infection, or an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus may have triggered the immune system not to work properly.

As the majority of people who develop Sjogren's syndrome are female, and because the menopause is the most common time for a diagnosis to be made, doctors believe that estrogen, a female hormone, plays an important role. Possibly falling levels of estrogen might in some way disrupt the immune system, some experts theorize.

Secondary Sjogren's syndrome - the syndrome can develop as another autoimmune condition progresses, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

As Sjogren's signs and symptoms are similar to some other health conditions, it can sometimes be hard to diagnose. The patient may be seeing various health professionals, perhaps a dentist for dry mouth, an ob/gyn for dry vagina, and an ophthalmologist for dry eyes.

Some medications can also cause symptoms similar to those in Sjogren's syndrome.

Screening questions - the National Health Service (UK) offers these screening questions for those who are concerned they might have Sjogren's syndrome. If you answer "Yes" to most of the questions below, see your doctor. It does not mean you have the syndrome, but you may: Do you apply eye drops containing tears more than three times a day?Do you feel as if there were gravel or sand in your eyes?Has dry eyes bothered you persistently, every day, for over three months?Do the glands between your jaw and your ears (salivary glands) keep swelling?Do you often need to drink something when you are trying to swallow food?Has dry mouth bothered you continuously for over three months?After reviewing the results of the screening questions, a doctor may order some further tests.

The Rose Bengal and Schirmer tests - usually done by an ophthalmologist. Rose Bengal test - measures the state and function of the tear glands. Rose Bengal, a non-toxic dye, is dropped onto the surface of the eyes. The dye's distinctive color helps the specialist determine how well the tear film is functioning and how long it takes for the tears to evaporate.The Schirmer test - strips of blotting paper are placed under the eyelid for about five minutes. They are removed and analyzed to determine how much liquid the paper absorbed.Lip biopsy - the doctor removes a sample of tissue from the patient's inner lip and examines it under a microscope. If there are clusters of lymphocytes, it could point towards Sjogren's syndrome. Lymphocytes are types of white blood cells.

Blood tests - when the immune system is affected by Sjogren's syndrome, there are special antibodies in the blood, known as SS-A and SS-B (or anti-Ro and anti-La). As these antibodies only show up in about 60% of Sjogren's syndrome patients, a negative result does not necessarily mean the syndrome can be ruled out.

Salivary flow rate - the patient is asked to spit as much as he/she can into a cup for about five minutes. By weighing the saliva, the doctor can determine whether the salivary glands are working properly. If not enough saliva is being produced, it could mean the patient has Sjogren's syndrome.

Sialogram - this is a special X-ray. A dye is injected into the parotid glands (behind the jaw and in front of the years). The aim is to determine how much saliva flows into the patient's mouth.

Salivary scintigraphy - a radioactive isotope is injected and tracked to measure salivary gland function.

Chest X-ray - this is to determine whether there is lung inflammation, which can be caused by Sjogren's syndrome.

Urine sample - the urine is tested to determine whether the kidneys have been affected.

Artificial tears - artificial tears can usually treat moderate cases of dry eye effectively. They can be purchased at a pharmacy OTC (over the counter, no prescription required). If the eyes become severely irritated, the doctor may prescribe a short course of corticosteroid-containing eye drops. Long-term usage raises the risk of undesirable and serious side-effects, such as Cushing's syndrome.

Moisture chamber spectacles - these are special glasses that wrap around the eyes, a bit like goggles. They help keep the moisture in, and also protect the eyes from dust, particles and other irritants.

Surgery - small plugs seal the tear ducts which drain the tears away. If they are sealed tears will stay in the eye longer. This procedure is called punctual occlusion. It is generally only recommended if all else fails. Initially, the doctor will probably place temporary silicone plugs to see whether the procedure was successful. If it was, the silicone plugs are later replaced by permanent ones.

Keeping your mouth lubricated: Consume more liquidsIce cubes - sucking them helps keep the mouth lubricatedMouth rinses - regular mouth washing helps protect against infection and also soothes the mouthOral hygiene - good oral hygiene prevents gum disease and tooth decaySmoking - give up. Smoking speeds up the rate at which saliva evaporates. Smoke irritates the mouth.Sugar free chewing gum - this stimulates the production of salivaSaliva substitutes - these are available as a lozenge, gel, gum or spray. They help lubricate the mouth.

Pilocarpine - a medication for dry eyes and mouth. The drug stimulates the saliva and tear glands to produce more tears and saliva.

Hydroxychloroquine - a medication that slows the immune system's attack on saliva and tear glands. It may also help with symptoms of joint pain and stiffness, and muscle pain. Patients will not notice any effects for several weeks.

Vaginal dryness - lubricants, such as KY Jelly help. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and using estrogen creams are also options.

Joint and muscle pains - OTC NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen are usually effective. The doctor may prescribe a stronger NSAID if needed.

Patients with Sjogren's syndrome have a 44 times higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma than other people (about 5% of all patients).

People with Sjogren's syndrome have a higher risk of developing yeast infections, dental cavities, and having vision problems. Less commonly, there is also a risk of inflammation that may cause bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung problems that may lead to kidney function problems, which in turn raise the risk of hepatitis or cirrhosis in the liver. In rare cases a pregnant woman with Sjogren's syndrome may give birth to a baby with heart problems. There is also a higher risk that the baby may develop lupus.

Peripheral neuropathy - Some patients develop a burning, tingling or numbing sensation in their hands and feet.

What's Behind Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy?

Making one's own child ill in order to receive sympathy and attention from health-care professionals is a rare psychiatric disorder known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy that impacts an estimated two in 100,000 children.

Considered one of the most harmful forms of child abuse, Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP) was named for Baron von Munchausen, an 18th-century German dignitary with a reputation for fabricating the truth. ("By proxy" means through a substitute.)

In MSP, the adult (usually a female) exaggerates a child's "symptoms" and/or deliberately makes the person under her care, usually a preschool-aged child, suffer.

Conditions faked by parents or caregivers include: failure to thrive, allergies, asthma, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and infections. Sadly, the afflicted adult may induce symptoms by starving a child or using household substances (such as Ipecac syrup to induce vomiting) or cleaning solvents to cause skin rashes, burns, and breathing difficulties. There have also been cases of blood or urine sample contamination.

The MSP-stricken adult longs to develop a relationship with the health-care provider and has such a strong need for the child to be seen as sick that defenseless, children have also undergone painful or risky procedures in a desperate attempt for the troubled adult to garner the special attention she craves.

The problem is difficult to diagnose because the mentally-disturbed adult is often so well versed in medical details and symptoms that she impresses medical professionals as a devoted mother or caregiver.

Though the exact cause of MSP is not known, both biological and psychological factors seem to play role in the development of this disorder. The adult may have experienced the early loss of a parent or may have been abused or neglected during her childhood. Evidence also suggests that marital problems or other major stressors could trigger an episode of MSP.

Noticing suspicious behavior can help save a child's life. A child with multiple hospitalizations (often with strange symptoms) or symptoms that become worse but are reported only by the mother and never witnessed by medical staff may be signs the child is in danger. Other signs are more than one unusual illness or the death of another child in the family.

Reporting your concerns to a health-care professional can safeguard a child. Managing MSP requires intervention from social workers, health-care providers, and police. Since it is considered a form of child abuse, law enforcement personnel are usually involved and social services may find it necessary to remove the child from the family.

Treating people with MSP is complex. They are often in deep denial about having a problem and are unable to separate fact from fiction. Psychotherapy and medication can be helpful. Children often need medical care to treat injuries inflicted by the parent, as well as psychiatric care to deal with depression, anxiety, and other conditions provoked by child abuse. Some children may died from infections or other injuries inflicted by parents with MSP.

Finally, if you have an urge to harm your child seek psychiatric help immediately.

Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics
www.Kidshealth.org

The Cleveland Clinic
www.Clevelandclinic.org

American Academy of Family Physicians
www.aafp.org

National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov

View the original article here

Understanding Leaky Gut Syndrome

Although leaky gut syndrome (also known as intestinal hypermeability) isn't generally recognized by conventional physicians as a real medical condition, there is increasing evidence that the problem is genuine. Leaky gut syndrome is the result of damage to the intestinal lining.

A healthy intestine is lined with permeable mucosal tissues that regulate the passage of nutrient particles from the gut into the blood stream, acting as a safety net to determine which particles are safe to crossover through the intestinal wall and which ones should be removed from the digestive system. When the intestinal lining is damaged it can "leak," making it less able to protect the internal environment and filter nutrients. This allows larger-than-normal particles such as undigested food, microbes, wastes, and toxins to get into the lymphatic system or bloodstream, triggering an immune response that causes inflammation.

Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome

While the inflammation response is a normal protective mechanism, if the inflammation continues, it can lead to a myriad of gastrointestinal problems, including:

BloatingCognitive problemsExcessive gas and crampsFatigueFeverFood sensitivitiesJoint and muscle painRashesShortness of breath

Leaky gut syndrome may also trigger or worsen other disorders, such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.

Causes

Anything that alters the mucosal lining of your GI tract can contribute to leaky gut syndrome. Some causes include:

Chronic inflammationConsuming excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugars as well as highly processed foodsFood allergiesLactose intoleranceIngesting large amounts of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)Cytotoxic (cancer) drugs and radiationExcessive alcohol consumptionCompromised immune system

If you're experiencing leaky gut symptoms, see your doctor for an evaluation.

Taking the steps below may help repair the damage to the lining of your intestine and relieve your symptoms:

Chew your food slowly. Eating fast and swallowing unchewed food makes your digestive system work harder.Avoid alcohol and NSAIDs, as well as any food you may be allergic to, such as dairy or yeast products.Add more fiber to your diet gradually. Because high fiber intake can exacerbate symptoms until the gut is healed, try slowly adding more easily digestible types of fiber to your diet, such as bananas, pears, applesauce, and well-cooked squash.Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet that includes whole grains, beans and legumes, fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines and healthy fats like olive and canola oil.

Sources:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA361058/what-is-leaky-gut.html

http://www.womentowomen.com/digestionandgihealth/leakygutsyndrome-intestinalpermeability.aspx

View the original article here

Could Your Child Have Tourette Syndrome? Sign and Symptoms of Tourettes

Tics are common in childhood. Does your child blink his eyes, wave his arms or jerk his head repeatedly? When these behaviors continue for long periods of time and occur in conjunction with other repetitive verbal and physical patterns, they may be signs of a condition called Tourette Syndrome.

The Facts about Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes people to perform a series of involuntary movements or sounds. The symptoms often appears in children between the ages of 7 and 10 and peak during the early teenage years, with males more likely to be affected. Often the condition will improve or even resolve on its own by adulthood.

Tourette Syndrome Symptoms
While many people associate this ailment with the stereotyped image of someone who uncontrollably shouts strings of derogatory words in public, in reality most children with Tourette Syndrome have much milder symptoms.

Here's a list of possible verbal and motor tics. Usually several of these, or other similar behaviors, will occur in a child with this condition:

Throat clearingGruntingSniffingBlinkingGrimacingShruggingHead jerkingJumping

These symptoms can also occur or co-occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Getting a Diagnosis
If you notice your child repeatedly performing any of these behaviors, you'll want to see your pediatrician. Usually multiple symptoms must exist for at least a year and other ailments need to be ruled out before most doctors will make a formal diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. There's no test to confirm this diagnosis, so your doctor will need to piece together the clues.

What Else You Can Do
You should keep track of the tics and when, where, and how they occur, since patterns can help to identify what's happening. You'll also want to learn about the condition to understand what your child may be going through and determine how best to support him. Tourette Syndrome doesn't affect your child's intelligence or physical health in any way, but it can make social and academic situations much more difficult.

If your child is struggling to keep up in school because the tics are distracting him, you may consider exploring alternative settings where he might do better. You can also engage him in hobbies or sports that may help refocus his attention in a more positive way. Connecting with a local support group can help you and your child to cope with the situation.

Often children with Tourette Syndrome won't need treatment, but if the tics interfere with his daily activities, your doctor may prescribe medication to help minimize the symptoms until they ease up on their own.

Sources:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/common/378.html

KidsHealth.org/From Nemours
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/tourette.html#

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm#158823231

Tourette Syndrome Association
http://tsa-usa.org/Medical/Faqs.html

View the original article here

Understanding Leaky Gut Syndrome

Although leaky gut syndrome (also known as intestinal hypermeability) isn't generally recognized by conventional physicians as a real medical condition, there is increasing evidence that the problem is genuine. Leaky gut syndrome is the result of damage to the intestinal lining.

A healthy intestine is lined with permeable mucosal tissues that regulate the passage of nutrient particles from the gut into the blood stream, acting as a safety net to determine which particles are safe to crossover through the intestinal wall and which ones should be removed from the digestive system. When the intestinal lining is damaged it can "leak," making it less able to protect the internal environment and filter nutrients. This allows larger-than-normal particles such as undigested food, microbes, wastes, and toxins to get into the lymphatic system or bloodstream, triggering an immune response that causes inflammation.

Symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome

While the inflammation response is a normal protective mechanism, if the inflammation continues, it can lead to a myriad of gastrointestinal problems, including:

BloatingCognitive problemsExcessive gas and crampsFatigueFeverFood sensitivitiesJoint and muscle painRashesShortness of breath

Leaky gut syndrome may also trigger or worsen other disorders, such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.

Causes

Anything that alters the mucosal lining of your GI tract can contribute to leaky gut syndrome. Some causes include:

Chronic inflammationConsuming excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugars as well as highly processed foodsFood allergiesLactose intoleranceIngesting large amounts of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)Cytotoxic (cancer) drugs and radiationExcessive alcohol consumptionCompromised immune system

If you're experiencing leaky gut symptoms, see your doctor for an evaluation.

Taking the steps below may help repair the damage to the lining of your intestine and relieve your symptoms:

Chew your food slowly. Eating fast and swallowing unchewed food makes your digestive system work harder.Avoid alcohol and NSAIDs, as well as any food you may be allergic to, such as dairy or yeast products.Add more fiber to your diet gradually. Because high fiber intake can exacerbate symptoms until the gut is healed, try slowly adding more easily digestible types of fiber to your diet, such as bananas, pears, applesauce, and well-cooked squash.Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet that includes whole grains, beans and legumes, fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines and healthy fats like olive and canola oil.

Sources:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA361058/what-is-leaky-gut.html

http://www.womentowomen.com/digestionandgihealth/leakygutsyndrome-intestinalpermeability.aspx

View the original article here

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What's the Difference?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia are often poorly understood diseases that may be confused with one another. In the medical community they're generally acknowledged to be two separate conditions, but many experts believe they are nevertheless part of the same underlying disorder. In fact, it's not uncommon for sufferers to be diagnosed with both CFS and fibromyalgia. As some of the symptoms overlap, how can you tell these two illnesses apart?

Pain. This is the primary characteristic of fibromyalgia. A fibromyalgia sufferer will typically experience pain in a variety of spots. The pain, which is muscular in nature, occurs on both sides of the body and is continuous. Additionally, fibromyalgia causes extra pain when so-called "tender points" are pressed. These tender points can be at the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, on the sides of the neck, on the chest, on the sides of the hips, or on the inner knees. Chronic fatigue sufferers may experience muscle pain, but it is not the defining symptom of their condition.Fatigue. As its name suggests, fatigue is the hallmark of chronic fatigue syndrome. To be diagnosed with CFS, a person will have to suffer severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest for at least six months. This fatigue can be overwhelming and interfere with daily activities. CFS sufferers also frequently experience memory impairment, sore throats, enlarged lymph glands, and headaches.

Other symptoms that people with CFS and fibromyalgia may share include trouble sleeping, headaches, difficulty with memory, and depression.

Doctors are unsure why people get CFS and fibromyalgia. Adding to the mystery of these two diseases, there's no definitive test for diagnosis. Diagnosis is made after careful consideration of clinical symptoms and the ruling out of other possible diseases that might be causing symptoms.

Treatment for both conditions focuses on reducing pain and/or fatigue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed for pain, while antidepressants can help reduce the emotional effects of living with chronic discomfort. Self-care is important, too. Although it may be difficult at times, getting regular exercise is as important as resting. A physical therapist can design a program that will challenge sufferers without exhausting them. Quality sleep can diminish symptoms, so patients should focus on going to bed at the same time each night. In addition, the room should be kept dark and earplugs may be worn to shut out noise. Sufferers may discover that joining a support group or consulting with a mental-health provider can help them deal with stress and frustration.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov

Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritistoday.org

View the original article here

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What's the Difference?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia are often poorly understood diseases that may be confused with one another. In the medical community they're generally acknowledged to be two separate conditions, but many experts believe they are nevertheless part of the same underlying disorder. In fact, it's not uncommon for sufferers to be diagnosed with both CFS and fibromyalgia. As some of the symptoms overlap, how can you tell these two illnesses apart?

Pain. This is the primary characteristic of fibromyalgia. A fibromyalgia sufferer will typically experience pain in a variety of spots. The pain, which is muscular in nature, occurs on both sides of the body and is continuous. Additionally, fibromyalgia causes extra pain when so-called "tender points" are pressed. These tender points can be at the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, on the sides of the neck, on the chest, on the sides of the hips, or on the inner knees. Chronic fatigue sufferers may experience muscle pain, but it is not the defining symptom of their condition.Fatigue. As its name suggests, fatigue is the hallmark of chronic fatigue syndrome. To be diagnosed with CFS, a person will have to suffer severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest for at least six months. This fatigue can be overwhelming and interfere with daily activities. CFS sufferers also frequently experience memory impairment, sore throats, enlarged lymph glands, and headaches.

Other symptoms that people with CFS and fibromyalgia may share include trouble sleeping, headaches, difficulty with memory, and depression.

Doctors are unsure why people get CFS and fibromyalgia. Adding to the mystery of these two diseases, there's no definitive test for diagnosis. Diagnosis is made after careful consideration of clinical symptoms and the ruling out of other possible diseases that might be causing symptoms.

Treatment for both conditions focuses on reducing pain and/or fatigue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed for pain, while antidepressants can help reduce the emotional effects of living with chronic discomfort. Self-care is important, too. Although it may be difficult at times, getting regular exercise is as important as resting. A physical therapist can design a program that will challenge sufferers without exhausting them. Quality sleep can diminish symptoms, so patients should focus on going to bed at the same time each night. In addition, the room should be kept dark and earplugs may be worn to shut out noise. Sufferers may discover that joining a support group or consulting with a mental-health provider can help them deal with stress and frustration.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov

Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritistoday.org

View the original article here

Living with Dumping Syndrome

If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to a condition called dumping syndrome. The problem occurs when the undigested contents of the stomach get "dumped" into the small intestine too quickly, causing excess fluid to build in the small intestine. Also called rapid gastric emptying, the problem can cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, sweating, faintness, bloating, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Most people with the condition will experience symptoms soon after eating; for others symptoms may not appear for as long as three hours after eating. Although dumping syndrome often improves on its own or after making some dietary adjustments, more severe cases may require medication or surgery.

Know Your Risk Factors

There are several types of stomach surgeries as well as certain medical conditions that may increase your risk of developing dumping syndrome:

Gastrectomy: A portion or all of your stomach is removed, including the pylorus, the opening between your stomach and the duodenum and the first portion of the small intestine.Gastroenterostomy or gastrojejunostomy: The stomach is surgically connected to the small intestine bypassing the pylorus. This type of surgery is sometimes used on people who have stomach cancer.Vagotomy: The nerves to the stomach are cut to lower the acid levels produced by the stomach.Fundoplication: This operation is sometimes performed on people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Rarely, certain nerves in the stomach are unintentionally damaged during the surgery, resulting in dumping syndrome.Gastric bypass surgery: This procedure treats morbid obesity by surgically creating a stomach pouch that's smaller than the entire stomach, limiting the intake of food.

Some medical conditions include:

DiabetesCyclic vomiting syndromeZollinger-Ellison syndrome

Treatments

Usually, the symptoms associated with dumping syndrome improve as people adjust their eating habits. Medications are also available to slow the passage of food out of the stomach. If you are experiencing the symptoms of dumping syndrome, talk to your doctor about which treatment would be most effective for you.

Some dietary changes your doctor may recommend include:

 Eating smaller mealsAvoiding fluids with mealsDrinking liquids only between mealsChanging your diet to one that includes foods that are low in carbohydrates and protein. (Meeting with a registered dietitian may help)Increasing fiber intakeAvoiding alcohol

Source:

http://mayoclinic.com/health/dumping-syndrome/DS00715

View the original article here

Living with Dumping Syndrome

If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to a condition called dumping syndrome. The problem occurs when the undigested contents of the stomach get "dumped" into the small intestine too quickly, causing excess fluid to build in the small intestine. Also called rapid gastric emptying, the problem can cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, sweating, faintness, bloating, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Most people with the condition will experience symptoms soon after eating; for others symptoms may not appear for as long as three hours after eating. Although dumping syndrome often improves on its own or after making some dietary adjustments, more severe cases may require medication or surgery.

Know Your Risk Factors

There are several types of stomach surgeries as well as certain medical conditions that may increase your risk of developing dumping syndrome:

Gastrectomy: A portion or all of your stomach is removed, including the pylorus, the opening between your stomach and the duodenum and the first portion of the small intestine.Gastroenterostomy or gastrojejunostomy: The stomach is surgically connected to the small intestine bypassing the pylorus. This type of surgery is sometimes used on people who have stomach cancer.Vagotomy: The nerves to the stomach are cut to lower the acid levels produced by the stomach.Fundoplication: This operation is sometimes performed on people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Rarely, certain nerves in the stomach are unintentionally damaged during the surgery, resulting in dumping syndrome.Gastric bypass surgery: This procedure treats morbid obesity by surgically creating a stomach pouch that's smaller than the entire stomach, limiting the intake of food.

Some medical conditions include:

DiabetesCyclic vomiting syndromeZollinger-Ellison syndrome

Treatments

Usually, the symptoms associated with dumping syndrome improve as people adjust their eating habits. Medications are also available to slow the passage of food out of the stomach. If you are experiencing the symptoms of dumping syndrome, talk to your doctor about which treatment would be most effective for you.

Some dietary changes your doctor may recommend include:

 Eating smaller mealsAvoiding fluids with mealsDrinking liquids only between mealsChanging your diet to one that includes foods that are low in carbohydrates and protein. (Meeting with a registered dietitian may help)Increasing fiber intakeAvoiding alcohol

Source:

http://mayoclinic.com/health/dumping-syndrome/DS00715

View the original article here