Corel Medical Series: Cancer/Corel Medical Series: Cancer.iso/mac/Program/c39.dxr/00131_Field_SRC.c39.A.26.txt

Text File | 1997-01-28 | 2KB | 18 lines

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.