How to Treat Diarrhea Caused by Colon Cancer Treatments

Loose stools and diarrhea is a common side effect of colorectal cancer and the chemotherapy drugs prescribed to treat your illness. Because diarrhea can cause dehydration and possibly affect your ability to battle your disease and tolerate your treatments, it's important to tell your doctor about any complications that develop. Diarrhea is very treatable. You do not have to live with the pain and discomfort of this condition.

Instructions

• 1

  Take loperamide. For uncomplicated diarrhea, meaning seven or fewer watery stools a day, try taking Imodium, an over-the-counter, antidiarrheal medication that contains loperamide. Because treating colorectal-cancer inducing diarrhea is different than normal diarrhea, ask your doctor how many milligrams you should take. The Colorectal Cancer Coalition suggests taking 4mg (two pills) and another 2mg taken every four hours or after every loose stool. You can stop taking Imodium once your symptoms clear up.

• 2

  Change your diet. Diarrhea can be caused by milk and other dairy products. Try eating frequent small meals rather than three large meals. Foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, or plain pasta can help improve your symptoms. Likewise, fatty and fried foods may worsen your symptoms.

• 3

  Adjust medication doses. A study done at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas determined that diarrhea is a significant side effect from colorectal chemotherapy. Your doctor may be able to adjust the dosage of some of your medications or prescribe an antibiotic. He may even add an antidiarrheal drug depending on how severe your symptoms are.