|  | Conditions Treatments | Digestive Health

Treatment for Radiation Colitis

Radiation colitis is an inflammation of the colon that is caused by radiation therapy. According to Daniel Cukier, M.D., author of "Coping with Radiation Therapy," diarrhea and cramping are common side effects of radiation therapy, and can easily be controlled with medication. You can reduce the symptoms of radiation colitis by adjusting your diet, or in extreme cases surgery may be the best option for colitis relief.

  1. Medication

    • According to the Cytopath Biopsy Pathology (CBL Pathology), medication for radiation therapy reduces symptoms including: nausea, bleeding and diarrhea. Alternative medications include pain relievers and steroid foams that reduce irritation. Lomotil, Pepto-Bismol and Imodium A-D are all suitable medications for treating your colitis. According to Cukier medications should be taken until your radiation treatment is complete, as these symptoms frequently reoccur. "If symptoms are present when the treatment is complete, I advise patients to continue the medication for another week or two," says Cukier.

    Diet

    • Not only does a change in your diet reduce your symptoms of radiation colitis, it may also reduce the dosages of your medications. According to Cukier, a low-fat, low-fiber diet with no raw fruits and vegetables works best with gastrointestinal medication. Food that upsets your stomach includes: dairy products, whole-grain bread, fruit, nuts and seeds. Cut out fatty and fried foods, and instead prepare your meats by broiling, grilling or baking them. Eliminate caffeine and alcohol from your diet, as they are a diuretic and can exacerbate your inflammation. Add nutmeg to your foods to slow down the digestion process, and reduce the size of your meals to allow for easier digestion, according to the CBL Pathology. Minimize your symptoms by consuming applesauce, bananas, white bread, eggs and cooked vegetables.

    Surgery

    • If your symptoms worsen and medication isn't helping your doctor may suggest surgery. According to CBL Pathology, a colon resection or colectomy are the options for treating radiation colitis. A colon resection causes food to bypass the large intestine. During the procedure a surgeon removes the diseased part of the colon and connects the healthy ends together. A colectomy is reserved for rare cases of radiation colitis as it requires removing the large intestine entirely, and attaching the small intestine to your anus or to a hole created in your abdomen, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Digestive Health - Related Articles