Food recommendations for diarrhea due to cancer treatment

When cancer treatment is carried out, many side effects occur in the patient. If left untreated, this will hinder the treatment process. One of the side effects of cancer treatment experienced by patients is diarrhea.

Many think diarrhea is a minor health problem. However, if this occurs in cancer patients, then this condition could be a sign of something serious and fatal. Therefore, this diarrhea must be handled appropriately and quickly. Apart from medicines, what foods should a patient with diarrhea eat during cancer treatment?

How can cancer treatment cause chronic diarrhea?

All current cancer treatments, namely chemotherapy, radiotherapy, to surgery can cause side effects, namely diarrhea. For example, chemotherapy drugs that enter the body, can cause injury to the intestinal walls, causing symptoms of diarrhea. Meanwhile, radiation therapy may also cause the same thing, namely damage to the intestinal wall if radiation is done to the stomach area.

While surgery that can cause diarrhea is usually a surgical procedure for colon cancer or cancer that affects the stomach. Usually, diarrhea occurs when the doctor opens the intestine so that digestion becomes disturbed.

Sometimes treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not cause diarrhea immediately. In some cases, the patient's medication will weaken the patient's body and the immune system will decline. This then makes the patient susceptible to infections, including gastrointestinal infections.

Meanwhile, the stress and anxiety experienced by patients during treatment also have an impact on the patient's gastrointestinal health condition.

What are some foods that are good for diarrhea due to cancer treatment?

Usually, the doctor will give you medicine to treat the diarrhea that you experience while undergoing cancer treatment. However, adjusting food during treatment can also help the body to recover quickly. The following are examples of foods that should be consumed when you have diarrhea due to cancer treatment.

• Foods high in water soluble fiber.Soluble fiber is more effective in helping treat diarrhea. For example bananas, apples and nuts.
• Drink lots of water. The thing that must be done when diarrhea is to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. This effort is intended so that patients do not experience dehydration. However, if the patient is already dehydrated, the doctor will usually give ORS as the first treatment.
• Have a slightly salty snack. Foods that are slightly high in sodium (salt) are necessary when you have diarrhea. The reason is, diarrhea makes sodium and other mineral substances disappear from your body. So, as a substitute, you can eat foods that are slightly high in sodium, such as biscuits.
• Avoid milk and processed productssuch as cheese, butter, and ice cream during treatment and for several days thereafter. Dairy products are difficult for the body to digest, so this will make your digestive organs work harder when you experience diarrhea.
• Avoid spicy and acidic foods. These foods will make intestinal irritation worse. Not to mention that it affects the condition of your stomach and then causes other digestive disorders, such as increased stomach acid, heartburn, as well as flatulence.
• Eat plain yogurt. Although yogurt is a dairy product, it contains good bacteria that can help your gut recover.

How to set a schedule for eating when diarrhea due to cancer treatment

Not only the choice of food, when you experience diarrhea due to cancer treatment and are at home, then you must adjust your daily meal schedule. Here's how to schedule a meal when you have diarrhea.

1. Eat more often

If you usually eat 3 times a day, then now make it 5-6 times a day. So, one meal smaller portions but often.

2. Don't eat too much right away

When you have diarrhea, your intestines have a hard time digesting food. When you eat large amounts of food at one meal, your intestines will become even more overwhelmed.

3. Drink water at least 15 minutes

Many people feel nauseous when they have to drink large amounts of water in one drink. Therefore, you should adjust the frequency of drinking your water every 15 minutes. Experts recommend drinking water at least one liter every hour, to avoid dehydration.

If diarrhea persists, you should consult this with your doctor. The reason is, chronic diarrhea will hinder the absorption of nutrients and the cancer treatment you are undergoing.

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