DIARRHEA DUE TO RADIOTHERAPY

Diarrhea is one potential side effect of cancer treatment. Radiation therapy to the abdominal area (mid-section of the body) can cause diarrhea, as can certain chemotherapy medications. If you struggle with diarrhea, there are several things you can do to address the problem and help your body

The most important thing you can do to control diarrhea during cancer treatment is to take medications as prescribed. As with many treatment side effects, prevention is more effective than cure. Once diarrhea is very severe, it can be more challenging to bring under control.

Severe diarrhea causes dehydration and lose of important electrolytes (minerals), including sodium and potassium. This can be a life-threatening situation, so do not ignore diarrhea. If your medical team prescribes medication to prevent diarrhea, do not wait until you have diarrhea to take it. For some cancer treatments, taking anti-diarrheal medications before the problem occurs is part of the plan.

Diarrhea Diet: Using Food To Better Manage Diarrhea

In addition to medical management, the following tips and tricks will help you manage diarrhea:

Eat more high-soluble fiber foods including plain oatmeal, white rice, ripe bananas, applesauce, white toast, canned fruit without the skins, such as peaches and pears, white pasta noodles, cream of rice cereal, and plain unsweetened crackers.

Drink 8 cups of non-caffeinated fluid each day to prevent dehydration. Try water; coconut water; decaf, chamomile, and ginger teas; ginger ale; rice milk; and diluted fruit juices and nectars, such as peach, pear, mango, or papaya nectar (avoid grape and prune juices).

Avoid Milk and milk products. Exceptions are buttermilk and yogurt, which are often tolerated because lactose is altered by the presence of Lactobacillus. Processed cheese may also be tolerated because the lactose is removed with the whey when it is separated from the cheese curd. Milkshake supplements such as Ensure are lactose free and may be used.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING
Whole-bran bread and cereal.
Nuts, seeds, and coconuts.
Fried, greasy, or fatty foods.
Fresh and dried fruit and some fruit juices such as prune juice.
Raw vegetables.
Rich pastries.
Popcorn, potato chips, and pretzels.
Strong spices and herbs.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, and soft drinks with caffeine.
Alcohol and tobacco.

FOODS TO EAT
Fish, poultry, and meat that is cooked, broiled, or roasted.
Bananas, applesauce, peeled apples, and apple and grape juices.
White bread and toast.
Macaroni and noodles.
Baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes.
Cooked vegetables that are mild, such as asparagus tips, green and waxed beans, carrots, spinach, and squash.
Mild processed cheese, eggs, smooth peanut butter, buttermilk, and yogurt.
Helpful hints

Ingest food at room temperature.
Drink 3 LITRES of fluid per day. Allow carbonated beverages to lose carbonation before being ingested.
Add nutmeg to food, which will help decrease mobility of GI tract.
Start a low-residue diet on day 1 of radiation therapy treatment.

MEDICATIONS THAT MAY BE PRESCRIBED
1 Lomitil, Gastron,Immodium
2 Kantrexel,Smecta, Pectin
3 Buscopan, Colofac
4 Codeine Phosphate, Morphine

Rehydrate with a rehydration solution, Energade, Isotonic Game etc

When should you call your doctor?

Diarrhea typically causes stomach cramps and loose, watery stools. Mostly it’s an inconvenience. But if your symptoms persist or get worse, it could be a sign of something more serious. Diarrhea can also lead to other problems, such as severe dehydration.

Some signs and symptoms are more serious than others are. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

Six or more loose bowel movements a day for more than two days
Blood in your stool
Inability to urinate for 12 hours or more
Inability to drink liquids
Weight loss due to diarrhea
Diarrhea after several days of constipation
Severe abdominal pain
Fever of 101 F (38.3 C) or higher
Shaking chills
If your diarrhea doesn’t seem severe but starts to interfere with your daily activities, such as if you’re concerned about leaving home or going somewhere without a bathroom nearby, talk to your doctor. If abdominal cramping is keeping you from your daily activities, discuss this with your doctor, as well.