What To Do
When You Have Loose Stools (Diarrhea)
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"Diarrhea kept me from going out and
doing things. My nurse told me how
important it was to drink more liquids.
Drinking more water and avoiding certain
foods helped me feel a lot better." |
|
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To order free copies of this fact sheet, please call
1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER).
Drink more liquids
each day. |
- Drink lots of clear
liquids each day to
replace the fluid
you are losing.
- Try to drink 1 cup
of liquid after each
loose stool.
- Drink clear liquids,
such as water,
ginger ale, and
clear soup.
|
Eat small meals that are
easy on your stomach. |
- Eat small meals
throughout the
day, instead of 3
large meals.
- Eat a meal or snack
every 2 to 3 hours.
- Your doctor or nurse
may suggest the BRAT foods. BRAT
stands for:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast
|
Don't have things that can
make your diarrhea worse. |
- Don't eat raw fruits and
vegetables, whole
wheat breads and
cereals, spicy foods,
or greasy fried foods.
- Don't drink milk or
milk products, drinks
with caffeine, alcohol,
or prune juice.
|
Tell your doctor or nurse if you are dizzy or
have diarrhea or stomach pain for more than a day.
Ask about medicine that can help. |
Soups (clear liquids) |
Drinks (clear liquids) |
Meals and snacks |
Fruits and sweets |
- Clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable, or beef
|
- Clear soda such as ginger ale
- Cranberry or grape juice
- Oral rehydration solution drinks, such as Pedialyte®
- Tea
- Water
|
- Chicken - broiled or baked, without the skin
- Crackers
- Cream of wheat or rice cereal
- Noodles
- Oatmeal
- Potatoes - boiled, without the skin
- Pretzels
- White rice
- White toast
|
- Angel food cake
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Canned Peaches or apricots
- Gelatin (Jell-O®)
- Yogurt
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- Use a baby wipe that is alcohol free and unscented.
- What problems should I call you about?
- How much liquid should I drink each day?
- What medicine can I take to stop the diarrhea?
What are the side effects of this medicine?
- What are oral rehydration solution drinks?
Where can I find them?
- What is a sitz bath? Should I take these?
- What creams can help my bottom feel better?
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