Diarrhea during cancer treatment

Diarrhea during cancer treatment is a common side effect that can be caused by the cancer itself. However, it could also be a sign of something more serious.

Diarrhea occurs in normal people, with an increase in the number of bowel movements over 3 times/day, the stools are liquid, viscous, not moldy or watery. The causes of diarrhea are usually intestinal infections, poor hygiene, intestinal microflora imbalance, food poisoning. Diarrhea in cancer patients can be caused by certain causes, such as:
Cancer therapy: Diarrhea during cancer treatment can be caused by the effects of cancer. chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery (especially when some parts of the intestines need to be removed) and bone marrow transplants. Infections: Cancer treatment can make you more susceptible to various infections, leading to diarrhea. Antibiotics used to treat some infections also carry a risk of diarrhea. Cancer itself: Certain cancers have the potential to cause diarrhea, including neuroendocrine tumors, such as carcinoid syndrome and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, bowel cancer. cancer, lymphoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland, and pancreatic cancer. The duration and severity of diarrhea depends on the causative agent.

Diarrhea during cancer treatment is a relatively annoying side effect. However, diarrhea can be more severe and lead to other problems, such as dehydration. Patients should seek immediate medical care if they notice any of the following:
6 or more loose bowel movements in a day lasting more than two days Blood in the stool or in the rectal area Prolapse Weight loss due to diarrhea Fever 38 degrees Celsius or more Incontinence of bowel movements Diarrhea or abdominal cramps lasting more than one day Diarrhea accompanied by dizziness.

If you have diarrhea that is not serious, but interferes with daily activities, such as being unable to leave the house or going somewhere without a restroom nearby, talk to your doctor to get it treated. Fit. Also, tell your doctor if you are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy drugs in pill form and have diarrhea. Your doctor can check if you should continue taking that chemotherapy drug.
Talking to your doctor about diarrhea during cancer treatment can be confusing, but it's important to let your doctor know about your symptoms. Cancer treatment with diarrhea can be serious and needs to be treated early to relieve symptoms and limit the risk of the condition getting worse.

When you have symptoms of diarrhea, you can reduce the severity by adjusting your diet, for example:
Drink lots of water : As soon as you notice signs of loose bowel movements, give priority to rehydration. body fluids, such as water, apple juice, broth, or melted ice. Avoid dairy products, as this can cause lactose intolerance and lead to diarrhea. Cancer patients with diarrhea should consume 8 to 12 cups of fluid per day. Eat low-fiber foods: Once your diarrhea has started to improve, add low-fiber foods to your diet, such as bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast. . Divide into five to six small meals throughout the day. Avoid foods that can irritate the digestive tract, including dairy products, spicy foods, alcohol, high-fat foods, caffeinated beverages, orange juice or prune juice. Use probiotics: These are beneficial bacteria that help restore and balance the digestive system, contained in yogurt and some functional foods. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are two examples of probiotics. If you have had a bone marrow transplant, talk to your doctor before using this product. Once your symptoms have begun to subside, you can slowly adjust your diet back to normal.

If you have changed your diet and drink plenty of fluids but still no relief from your diarrhea, your doctor may prescribe additional medication. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, do not take any over-the-counter medicines without your doctor's approval as some have the potential to cause dangerous side effects for those receiving treatment. cancer treatment.
Medicines commonly used in the treatment of diarrhea for cancer patients include:
Opioids: They work to reduce diarrhea by slowing bowel movements. Loperamide: A popular choice indicated for patients with diarrhea during cancer treatment, causing less side effects than opioid drugs. Medicines that reduce secretions: These drugs reduce the amount of fluid your body makes, making stools firmer, such as corticosteroids and octreotide (Sandostatin). Other medicines, depending on the severity of the diarrhea and the cause of it. Patients with diarrhea during cancer treatment can be tested to determine the cause and choose appropriate management. People with severe diarrhea may need to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids .
It is best during cancer treatment if there are any health problems, patients should go to medical facilities to be checked by a doctor and have timely indications. Avoid letting the disease progress for a long time, causing serious health effects.
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Reference source: mayoclinic.org