From the Guidelines
Postprandial diaphoresis is most commonly associated with dumping syndrome, particularly in patients who have undergone esophageal, gastric, or bariatric surgery, and can be managed with dietary modifications such as avoiding refined carbohydrates and eating smaller, more frequent meals with increased intakes of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. This condition is characterized by excessive sweating after eating, and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, flushing, palpitations, tachycardia, and hypotension 1. The pathophysiology of dumping syndrome involves rapid gastric emptying and the delivery of energy-dense foods to the small bowel, followed by a shift of intravascular fluid to the intestinal lumen, resulting in cardiovascular symptoms and the release of gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones 1. Management of postprandial diaphoresis depends on the underlying cause, but may include dietary modifications, such as eating smaller, more frequent meals with lower carbohydrate content, and avoiding liquids for 30 minutes before and after eating to encourage slower gastric transit 1. Additionally, individualized advice relating to portion sizes and meal/snack frequency and spacing may be helpful, alongside education about the glycemic index of different foods 1. It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment, as postprandial diaphoresis can indicate an underlying medical condition requiring treatment 1.
From the Research
Postprandial Diaphoresis and Gastroparesis
- Postprandial diaphoresis, or sweating after eating, is not directly mentioned in the provided studies as a symptom of gastroparesis.
- However, gastroparesis is characterized by delayed gastric emptying and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, postprandial fullness, early satiety, and abdominal pain 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The pathophysiology of gastroparesis is complex and involves abnormalities in fundic tone, antroduodenal dyscoordination, a weak antral pump, gastric dysrhythmias, and abnormal duodenal feedback 3, 6.
- Autonomic dysfunction may play an important role in the pathophysiology of gastroparesis, which could potentially contribute to symptoms like postprandial diaphoresis 5.
- Treatment options for gastroparesis include dietary modification, medications to accelerate gastric emptying, antiemetic agents, gastric electrical stimulation, and surgery 3, 6.
- Newer treatment strategies, such as endoscopic pyloromyotomy and gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), show promise in improving symptoms of gastroparesis 2, 5, 6.