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The Problem
Diarrhea is liquid stools, occurring more frequently than normal.
They not only are an inconvience, but cause you to lose fluids. It
occurs often because of cancer treatments, including radiation as
well as chemotherapy. Other medications, such as antibiotics, may
cause diarrhea, as well as infections can cause them.
Help Yourself
Replace Fluids-it is very important to replace the fluids
lost to diarrhea. Clear liquids such as tea, juices (non-acidic
ones), ginger ale or 7-Up, sports drinks, or broth. Frequent smaller
amounts often works best. Between meals and with meals.
Avoid acidic, fatty and fiberous foods- beans, raw
vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, corn, cauliflower and carbonated
drinks often induce gas that adds to the discomfort. Fats are poorly
absorbed and add to diarrhea.
Avoid caffeine
Avoid milk products
If you have been prescribed diarrhea medications, take them as
instructed.
Sitz baths or sitting in a tub of warm water will often help cleanse
the rectal area.
Soothing creams or ointments often help, such as Tucks, A&D or
Vaseline.
Help us Help You
If your diarrhea is lasting more than a day, you're losing copious
amounts of liquid, you're having associated fevers or there is blood
in your stool, contact us.
If you need some help and need to call us about your diarrhea, it
helps us to help you if you can tell us more about your diarrhea.
Important issues are:
How many times a day is it occurring?
How liquid are your stools?
How many times in the last 24 hours?
Is there cramping with it?
Is there blood in the diarrhea?
Are you nauseated?
Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy when you stand up?
Have you lost weight? How much?
Have you recently been treated? What chemotherapy?
Have you tried any medicines? What ones?
Are you having a fever?
Prevention
Certain drugs, notably 5-FU (fluorouracil) and CPT-11 (Camptosar),
commonly cause diarrhea. While we can't do a lot to prevent diarrhea,
there are some things that you can do to help diminish it's impact
on your life.
Metamucil or other fiber concentrates help absorb excess water in
the stool, forming it more normally.
Use medications as directed at the start of problems
Keep hydrated
Discuss problems that you had with diarrhea so we can try to better
help you next cycle
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