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If you are having radiation treatment to the stomach or some portion of the abdomen, you may have to deal with an upset stomach, nausea or diarrhea. Your doctor can prescribe medicines to relieve these problems. Do not take any home remedies during your treatment unless you first check with your doctor or nurse.
Here are some tips to help an unsettled stomach:
- Stick to any special diet that your doctor or dietitian gives you.
- Eat small meals.
- Eat often and try to eat and drink slowly.
- Avoid foods that are fried or are high in fat.
- Drink cool liquids between meals.
- Eat foods that have only a mild aroma and can be served cool or at room temperature.
- For a severe upset stomach, try a clear liquid diet (broth and juices) or bland foods that are easy to digest, such as dry toast and gelatin.
The following changes in your diet also may help:
- Try a clear liquid diet (water, weak tea, apple juice, clear broth, plain gelatin) as soon as diarrhea starts or when you feel that it's going to start.
- Ask your doctor or nurse to advise you about liquids that won¡¦t make your diarrhea worse. Apple juice, peach nectar, weak tea and clear broth are frequent suggestions.
- Avoid foods that are high in fiber or can cause cramps or a gassy feeling such as raw fruits and vegetables, coffee, beans, cabbage, whole grain breads and cereals, sweets, and spicy foods.
- Eat frequent small meals.
- Avoid milk and milk products if they irritate your bowels.
- When the diarrhea starts to improve, try eating small amounts of low-fiber foods such as rice, bananas, applesauce, mashed potatoes, low-fat cottage cheese and dry toast.
- Be sure your diet includes foods that are high in potassium (bananas, potatoes, apricots), an important mineral that you may lose through diarrhea.
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