What to do if you have diarrhea after chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an important means of cancer treatment, but the side effects that come with it often trouble patients, among which diarrhea is a common one. Diarrhea after chemotherapy not only affects the patient's quality of life, but may also lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and may even require interruption of treatment in severe cases. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with structured data and practical suggestions to help you better deal with post-chemotherapy diarrhea.
1. Causes of diarrhea after chemotherapy
While chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, they also damage normal cells, especially intestinal mucosal cells. After the intestinal mucosa is damaged, the absorption function decreases, leading to the loss of water and electrolytes, thus causing diarrhea. In addition, chemotherapy may change the balance of intestinal flora and further aggravate diarrhea symptoms.
| reason | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| Intestinal mucosal damage | Decreased intestinal absorption function, loss of water and electrolytes |
| Intestinal flora imbalance | Increased harmful bacteria, causing inflammation and diarrhea |
| drug side effects | Some chemotherapy drugs directly irritate the intestines |
2. Grading of diarrhea after chemotherapy
Depending on the severity of the diarrhea, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies post-chemotherapy diarrhea into the following levels:
| Grading | symptom | Handling suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Increased frequency of bowel movements, less than 4 times a day | Adjust your diet and add fluids |
| Level 2 | Increased frequency of bowel movements, 4-6 times a day | Take antidiarrheal medication by mouth and monitor closely |
| Level 3 | Increased frequency of bowel movements, more than 7 times a day | Seek medical treatment, which may require intravenous fluids |
| Level 4 | life-threatening diarrhea | Hospitalize immediately |
3. Countermeasures for diarrhea after chemotherapy
1. Diet adjustment
Diet is an important part of managing diarrhea after chemotherapy. Here are some dietary suggestions:
| Recommended food | avoid food |
|---|---|
| Low-fiber foods (such as white rice, noodles) | High-fiber foods (such as whole wheat bread, brown rice) |
| Banana, apple puree | Spicy and greasy food |
| Light soups | Dairy products (e.g. milk, cheese) |
2. Replenish water and electrolytes
Diarrhea will cause a large loss of water and electrolytes, so they need to be replenished in time. You can take oral rehydration salts (ORS) or light salt water and avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks.
3. Medication
For moderate to severe diarrhea, your doctor may recommend an antidiarrheal medication such as loperamide (Imodium). However, it should be noted that antidiarrheal drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor to avoid covering up the condition.
| Drug name | Mechanism of action | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Loperamide | Slow down intestinal motility | Not suitable for long-term use |
| Montmorillonite powder | Adsorb intestinal toxins | Take at intervals with other medicines |
4. Intestinal flora regulation
Probiotic supplementation can help restore the balance of intestinal flora and relieve diarrhea symptoms. Common probiotics include lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, etc.
4. When do you need medical treatment?
Seek medical attention immediately if:
- Diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours without relief
- Symptoms of dehydration (such as dizziness, fatigue, decreased urine output)
- Blood or black stool
- Increased fever or abdominal pain
5. Tips to prevent diarrhea after chemotherapy
- Communicate with your doctor before chemotherapy to understand possible side effects and countermeasures
- Keep a light diet and avoid irritating foods during chemotherapy
- Record daily stool frequency and characteristics to facilitate doctor's assessment
- Maintain a good attitude to avoid aggravating symptoms of anxiety
Although diarrhea after chemotherapy is common, symptoms can be effectively controlled and alleviated through scientific dietary adjustments, drug treatment, and lifestyle management. I hope this article can provide you with practical help and wish you a speedy recovery!
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