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If you have radiotherapy to your abdomen or pelvis – or if you are taking certain chemotherapy drugs – you may find that you get frequent, loose bowel movements (diarrhoea).
When you have diarrhoea, food passes quickly through the bowel before the body has time to absorb the vitamins, minerals and water. This can make you dehydrated (too little fluid in the body) and leave you more prone to infection.
Your doctor may be able to help you by giving you some anti-diarrhoea medicine, but you can also take some simple steps yourself, to try to reduce any problems...
Eat less fibre
Eating enough fibre (roughage) is important for good health… but while you have diarrhoea, it is better to cut down on the amount of fibre that you eat.
You can do this by eating fewer high fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals. Instead, eat more low fibre foods like white bread, cornflakes and potatoes with skin.
