Colitis after chemotherapy

Many patients experience significant deterioration in the functioning of the digestive system after chemotherapy. At the same time, symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction are the most common complications after the end of treatment.

One of the side effects of chemotherapy is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon, which is called colitis. The cause of this disease is damage to the mucous membrane of the colon by the toxic effect of drugs. In this case, the intestinal walls begin to swell, which disrupts the contractile function of the intestine (peristalsis) and the production of mucus.

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Symptoms of Colitis After Chemotherapy

Symptoms of colitis after chemotherapy include the occurrence of abdominal pain of a spasmodic nature, the appearance of rumbling and bloating, constipation or diarrhea, as well as unstable stool - alternating constipation with diarrhea. In this case, the urge to empty the bowels is often painful. Sometimes mucus or blood is observed in the feces. In this condition, the patient experiences a feeling of lethargy and weakness, sometimes an increase in overall body temperature is observed.

Dysbacteriosis after chemotherapy

Dysbacteriosis after chemotherapy occurs due to toxic damage to friendly intestinal microflora. As a result, the ratio of beneficial and harmful microflora in the intestine is disrupted in favor of pathogenic bacteria, which leads to the appearance of dysbacteriosis.

Symptoms of this disease are:

• Discomfort in the abdomen.
• Increased gas formation – occurrence of flatulence.
• Changes in stool – the appearance of diarrhea, constipation or unstable stool.
• The appearance of abdominal pain.

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Diarrhea after chemotherapy

A certain proportion of patients begin to suffer from diarrhea after undergoing treatment. Diarrhea after chemotherapy occurs due to intestinal dysbacteriosis caused by the action of strong drugs. Diarrhea is also caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, which manifests itself in vegetative polyneuropathy - that is, a violation of the motor (motor) functions of many organs and systems of the patient.

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Constipation after chemotherapy

After chemotherapy, there may be difficulty emptying the bowels. This manifests itself in the fact that the patient has to strain to go to the toilet, since the stool has become very hard.

Constipation after chemotherapy occurs due to disruption of the intestinal microflora, which was destroyed by potent drugs. Constipation is also caused by damage to the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. Another reason for such a violation of emptying is damage to the peripheral nervous system and the appearance of autonomic polyneuropathy, which leads to disruption of the motor activity of all organs and systems, including the gastrointestinal tract.

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Treatment of colitis after chemotherapy

Treatment of colitis after chemotherapy includes the following measures:

• Changing your diet in accordance with the diet recommended by your doctor.
• The use of antispasmodics, for example, no-shpa.
• Purpose of intestinal motility regulators.
• Use of antidiarrheal agents such as loperamide and imodium.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as sulfasalazine.
• In some severe cases, the administration of glucocorticoid hormones is prescribed.
• If the inflammatory process is accompanied by the appearance of an intestinal infection, then antibiotics are prescribed.
• It is good to use physiotherapy in the form of heat therapy.
• You can resort to spa treatment, which includes drinking mineral water and other procedures.

To alleviate the patient's condition with diarrhea after chemotherapy, you need to follow the following recommendations:

1. The patient should eat boiled, mashed or steamed food. Spices, fat and coarse fiber of plant origin are excluded.
2. Food is taken frequently and in small portions, every three hours. As a result, there are at least five to six meals per day.
3. The diet includes foods with a constipating effect - boiled rice; crackers from white bread or stale white bread; bananas; baked apples; soups on a weak broth from meat, fish or vegetables with boiled cereals; lean meats and fish in the form of steamed cutlets; boiled eggs and steamed omelets; mashed porridges resembling "smear", cooked in water.
4. Recommended drinks include strong tea, mineral water, herbal infusions with tannins, juices and jelly with astringent properties, and unsweetened compotes made from low-concentration dried fruits.
5. To compensate for fluid loss, you need to take rehydrating solutions - Regidron or Gastrolit.

For constipation after chemotherapy, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

• It is necessary to include foods rich in fiber in the diet. These include vegetables, fruits, greens, berries, whole grain bread, unrefined cereals, seeds and nuts. Apricots, plums, beets, as well as dried apricots and prunes are good for dealing with constipation.
• You need to drink plenty of fluids every day, at least two liters. Healthy drinks include clean water, freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices, fruit drinks and compotes, and green tea without sugar. Dried fruit compotes are especially healthy.
• Daily movement is necessary, which includes walking for at least half an hour. Cycling and morning exercises are good for dealing with constipation.