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Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects

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  • Posted: 05/12/2011

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What To Do
When You Have Loose Stools (Diarrhea)

"Diarrhea kept me from going out and doing things. My nurse told me how important it was to drink more liquids. Drinking more water and avoiding certain foods helped me feel a lot better."
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What is diarrhea?

Do you have bowel movements more often than normal? Are they soft, loose, or watery? Then you may have diarrhea.

  • Call your doctor or nurse if you have diarrhea, stomach pain, or feel dizzy.
  • Ask about foods and medicine that can help.

Take these steps to feel better:

Drink more liquids each day.
Drinking will help you feel better. Although it won't stop the diarrhea, it will help prevent dehydration (loss of too much water from the body).
  • Drink lots of clear liquids, such as water, ginger ale, and clear soup.
  • Most people who have diarrhea need to drink 8 to 12 cups of liquid each day. Ask your doctor or nurse how much you should drink.

Eat small meals that are easy on your stomach.
  • Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 large meals.
  • Your doctor or nurse may suggest the BRAT foods. BRAT stands for:
    Bananas
    Rice
    Applesauce
    Toast

Limit or avoid foods and drinks that can make your diarrhea worse.
  • Don't eat spicy, greasy, or fried foods.
  • Don't have milk or dairy products such as cheese or ice cream. Check food labels to see if milk products are listed.
  • Don't have drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
  • You may need to avoid or have less raw fruit, vegetables, and whole wheat breads and cereals.
  • Ask your doctor or nurse what foods you may need to avoid.

These foods and drinks may be easy on your stomach until you feel better:

Soups (clear liquids)Drinks (clear liquids)Meals and snacksFruits and other foods
Clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable, or beef

Clear soda, such as ginger ale

Cranberry or grape juice

Oral rehydration solution drinks, such as Pedialyte®

Tea

Water
Chicken—broiled or baked, without the skin

Crackers

Cream of wheat or rice cereal

Noodles

Oatmeal

Potatoes—boiled, without the skin

Pretzels

White rice

White toast
Applesauce

Bananas

Canned fruit, such as peaches and pears

Gelatin (such as Jell-O®)


Most canned or cooked fruits and vegetables without seeds or skins are easy on your stomach.

Take care of your bottom (rectal area):

  • Use a baby wipe that is alcohol free and unscented.
  • It may help to sit in a shallow, warm bath (sitz bath).
  • Let your doctor or nurse know if your rectal area is sore or bleeds.

Questions to ask your doctor or nurse:

  1. What problems should I call you about?
  2. How much liquid should I drink each day?
  3. What foods and drinks should I limit or avoid?
  4. What are oral rehydration solution drinks? Where can I find them?
  5. What is a sitz bath? Should I take these?
  6. What products can I use if my bottom is sore or bleeds? What should I not use?

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