home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Removing part or all of the stomach naturally produces many problems that require medical attention.
- • Iron deficiency anemia often develops after a gastrectomy, since iron is absorbed mainly in the duodenum and
- stomach acids play a role in the process.
- • Monthly doses of vitamin B12 should be given after a few years to prevent pernicious anemia.
- • The dumping syndrome—with symptoms such as abdominal fullness, nausea, vomiting, a rapid heartbeat,
- weakness and dizziness—is quite common after surgery because food passes through the system so quickly
- that there is little time for absorption. The dumping syndrome often resolves with time. Many treatments,
- including smaller meals and a lower-carbohydrate diet, and no chocolate or peppermint, can help. No food or
- fluid after 7:00 or 8:00 P.M. may help too.
- • Symptoms of upset stomach (gastritis) may be related to the alkaline backup, or reflux, of bile and intestinal
- secretions into the esophagus. Symptoms can be controlled by antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta or Riopan,
- by sucralfate, which coats the stomach lining, or by a bile blocker such as Questran.
- • Walking or simply staying upright after meals as well as sleeping with the head elevated can help control reflux
- by improving the drainage of the gastric pouch and help reduce symptoms.
- • If the antrum—the gastrin-producing part of the stomach—is removed, there will be little need for gastric acid
- blockers. But if acid is still being produced, H-2 blockers such as Tagamet, Zantac, Pepsid or Prilosec will
- help.
-
