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Information for Patients and Caregivers
Diarrhea
What is Diarrhea?
Definition
Diarrhea is defined as more than two loose or watery
stools per day. Cancer treatments such as radiation
over your bowels or some chemotherapy treatments
such as 5-FU or Camptosar can cause diarrhea. These
loose or watery stools may start soon after treatment,
or may be delayed for two week after treatment begins.
If left untreated, diarrhea can cause weakness,
weight loss, skin problems, electrolyte imbalances
and poor nutrition.
How do people describe diarrhea?
Some people have difficulty describing diarrhea,
but usually use terms like “loose” and “watery”
stools accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain,
bloating or nausea. They describe the number of
times they have to use the bathroom within a period
of time and may express fear of not making it to
the bathroom on time.
What happens to people when they experience treatment-related
diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be mild (a few loose bowel movements
per day) to severe (12 or more bowel movements per
day). Skin irritation and soreness around the rectum
can also result from having diarrhea.
What causes treatment-related diarrhea?
Treatments for cancer can interfere with the normal
bowel function, increasing bowel activity, or by
irritating the lining of the bowel.
How do people cope with treatment-related diarrhea?
- Avoid eating foods high in fiber, fatty foods,
rich desserts, gas producing and others that increase
bowel movements or gas such as hot peppers, drinks
with caffeine and alcohol.
- Follow a low fiber/low roughage diet.
- Avoid gas producing foods such as beans, raw
vegetables, corn, cauliflower and broccoli.
- Use over-the-counter Imodium as directed on
the box (unless told not to do so by your doctor).
- If over-the-counter medicines don’t work, contact
your healthcare provider to prescribe something
that will work.
- Do not apply Vaseline to rectal area if you
are taking radiation treatments.
- Increase your fluid intake to 8-10 8oz. Glasses
of water or other non-caffeinated drinks per day.
- Replace lost fluids with nonfat broth, soup,
orange juice and sports drinks.
- When having diarrhea, drink less fluid with
your meals, drink more fluid between meals, and
avoid hot liquids.
- Try foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce,
dry toast, crackers, eggs, poultry or baked potatoes.
- Avoid milk products until the diarrhea subsides.
What can family members and friends do to help
me with my diarrhea?
- Purchase foods to help decrease diarrhea as
listed above.
- Ask family members and friends to remind you
to take your over-the-counter medicines as directed
on the box to relieve diarrhea.
- Prepare meals with low fiber and foods listed
above.
- Ask family members and friends to offer you
fluids and broth throughout the day.
- Ask family members or friends to assist in locating
restrooms when outside your normal environment.
How can I talk to my family members about diarrhea?
- Request privacy to discuss your concerns.
- Ask your family member what he/she thinks is
causing the diarrhea.
- Try to describe how the diarrhea makes you feel.
What should I report to my doctor or nurse?
- Bloody or black, tarry looking stools.
- Fever greater than 100.5.
- If you cannot eat of drink for more than 24
hours.
- Diarrhea that continues for more than 3 days.
- Know the following information when calling
your healthcare provider:
- Your normal bowel pattern
- Color, consistency and number of stools
in the last 24 hours.
- How much food and fluid you've taken in
the last 1-2 days.
- Medicines you've taken in the last 2-3 days.
- How much weight you've lost, other history
of bowel problems.
- What makes the diarrhea worse.
Where can I get more information?
References
Postgraduate Medicine Online: Patient Notes (2002).
Volume III, (I), accessed on the Internet at: http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2002/01_02/pn_diarrhea.htm
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