Diarrhea
Why Does Diarrhea Happen?
Diarrhea occurs when you have frequent bowel movements that may be soft, loose, or watery. Diarrhea can be caused by cancer treatments such chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. These treatments can affect healthy cells in the lining of your large and small bowel making it difficult for the intestine to absorb food and water. Other causes of diarrhea include infections, certain foods, medicines used to treat constipation, or antibiotics.
Call your cancer care team right away if you have:
- Diarrhea that continues for more than 12 hours
- More than 6 stools in one day
- Dizziness or fainting
- A fever of 100.4F or 38C or higher
- Stomach pain
- Stool that is black or bloody
How can you care for yourself at home?
Eat Small Meals That Are Easy to Digest
Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day instead of 3 big meals.
Choose Food that Will Help with Diarrhea
Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce, and Toast (white) are good foods to eat if your diarrhea is severe. This is called the BRAT diet.
Anti-Diarrhea Medications
Anti-diarrhea medications, such as Imodium®, are often prescribed for cancer treatment-related diarrhea. Make sure to get clear instructions when and how to take medications from your care team.
Drink More Liquids Daily
Drinking won’t help stop the diarrhea, but it will help replace fluids you are losing to prevent dehydration. Most people who have diarrhea need 8 to 12 cups a day.
- Drink in small amounts
- Drink clear liquids: water, weak tea, clear broth, gelatin, and Pedialyte® are good choices.
- Avoid these drinks:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Alcohol
- Acidic drinks such as tomato, orange, or grapefruit juice
- Carbonated drinks, such as soda/pop/tonic
Avoid Foods That Can Make Diarrhea Worse:
Drinking won’t help stop the diarrhea, but it will help replace fluids you are losing to prevent dehydration. Most people who have diarrhea need 8 to 12 cups a day.
- Avoid dairy, such as milk, cheese, and sour cream. Try “lactose-free” products instead.
- Avoid eating spicy, greasy, or fried foods or foods that are high in fiber, such as whole-wheat breads, granola, and bran cereals.
- Avoid eating raw fruits or vegetables. Most canned fruits and vegetables are okay.
- Avoid beer, wine, and other drinks with alcohol in them.
Foods to Eat as You Return to a Normal Diet
When you can tolerate drinking without cramping, start adding bland, low-fiber foods, such as:
- White bread, pita bread, soft tortillas, crackers (no seeds), rice, or pasta (without sauce).
- White chicken meat, without the skin, or white fish, such as haddock or sole.
- Canned or cooked fruits without skin, such as applesauce or fruit cocktail.
- Fruits that are okay to eat raw, such as avocado, bananas, ripe cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon
When Should You Call for Help?
- You have over 6 episodes of diarrhea in the past 24 hours.
- You feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint and haven’t urinated in the past 12 hours. These are symptoms of dehydration.
- You develop a fever of 100.5° or higher.
- Your stool looks black or bloody.
