Radiation enteropathy dietary management

Overview
Radiation enteropathy or radiation enteritis is the syndrome that develops after the intestine is exposed to radiation.

Treatment options

 * Starting a low-fiber diet on the first day of radiation treatment can be helpful.


 * Avoiding the following foods may help with symptoms:
 * Alcohol and tobacco
 * Almost all milk products
 * Coffee, tea, chocolate, and soda drinks with caffeine
 * Foods containing whole bran
 * Fresh and dried fruits
 * Fried, greasy, or fatty foods
 * Nuts and seeds
 * Popcorn, potato chips, and pretzels
 * Raw vegetables
 * Rich pastries and baked goods
 * Some fruit juices
 * Strong spices


 * Foods and drinks that are better choices include:
 * Apple or grape juice
 * Applesauce, peeled apples, and bananas
 * Eggs, buttermilk, and yogurt
 * Fish, poultry, and meat that has been broiled or roasted
 * Mild, cooked vegetables such as asparagus tips, green or black beans, carrots, spinach, and squash
 * Potatoes that have been baked, boiled, or mashed
 * Processed cheeses, such as American cheese
 * Smooth peanut butter
 * White bread, macaroni, or noodles


 * Other ways to control the symptoms of radiation enteritis include:
 * Eat foods at room temperature
 * Eat small meals more often


 * Your doctor may suggest or prescribe certain medications:
 * Drugs that help decrease diarrhea, such as loperamide
 * Pain medications
 * Steroid foam that coats the lining of the rectum
 * Special enzymes to replace enzymes from the pancreas


 * Drink plenty of fluids (up to 12 8-ounce glasses) every day when you have diarrhea. Some people need fluids given through a vein (intravenous fluids).


 * Your health care provider may choose to stop or reduce the dosage of radiation for a short period of time.


 * There often are no good treatments for chronic radiation enteritis. Your doctor may discuss surgery to either remove or go around (bypass) a section of damaged intestine.