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Dietary Advice for Bowel Cancer
Symptoms following treatment of bowel cancer will vary, depending on the type of treatment. Symptoms range from wind, pain, spasms, diarrhoea, constipation and nausea. Malabsorption can also occur, particularly after a bowel resection. This can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. It is extremely important to have regular contact with your dietitian post bowel surgery and after any further cancer treatment. This will ensure that adverse symptoms are minimized and nutritionally support can be given to aid recovery.
If diarrhoea is an issue, there are some dietary steps you can take to prevent excessive weight loss and malnutrition. It is wise to increase soft soluble fibre, decrease fat intake and eliminate irritating foods. There are a number of natural fibre supplements your dietitian can recommend. They can also tailor a low fat, low irritant diet to suit your symptoms and the area of the bowel affected. Fluid is particularly important to prevent dehydration, so ensure adequate intake of water.
Added to site on : Thursday, 14 June 2012