06 Q&A: WHY DO I HAVE DIARRHEA? - MILK AND RICE "SOUP"

Steps:

• Dr. Ghosh: Radiation and chemotherapy are common causes of diarrhea. And diarrhea causes an excess loss of fluids and nutrients.There are medications available to treat diarrhea, but here are some things to try on your own:Try sports drinks, broths or Pedialyte® to replenish lost fluid and electrolytes. Avoid tea, coffee and prune juice. Take a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes vitamins A, B12, E and K, as well as folic acid.Eat frequent, small meals that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates and protein.Avoid milk and milk-based foods because the sugar in milk can stimulate diarrhea.Eat applesauce.As diarrhea ends, add these foods to your diet: rice, noodles, potatoes, white bread, yogurt, cottage cheese, hot wheat cereal, eggs, creamy peanut butter, canned peeled fruit, well-cooked vegetables, skinned chicken or turkey, lean beef and fish.Slowly add small amounts of fiber from fruits and grains.From "Betty Crocker's Living with Cancer Cookbook." Text Copyright 2005 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.