Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is when your bowel motions become watery, urgent and frequent. You may also get abdominal cramping, wind and pain. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis, some types of surgery (e.g. bowel), medicines, infections, reactions to certain foods, and anxiety can all cause diarrhoea.

If the tips below don’t work, ask your doctor about anti-diarrhoea medicines. Having diarrhoea can be exhausting, so rest as much as possible. For further support, you can call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66.

How to manage diarrhoea

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Water, diluted cordials and oral hydration drinks (e.g. Gastrolyte) are better than high-sugar drinks, alcohol, strong caffeine or very hot/cold fluids.
• Watch for signs of dehydration such as dark yellow urine or less frequent urination.
• Avoid foods that are high in insoluble fibre (e.g. wholegrain breads, bran cereals, nuts and seeds, raw fruit, vegetable skins) and foods that increase bowel activity (e.g. spicy, fatty or oily foods; caffeine; alcohol or artificial sweeteners).
• Choose foods that are low in insoluble fibre (e.g. bananas, mashed potato, white rice, white pasta, white bread, steamed chicken without skin, white fish). It may also help to eat foods that are high in soluble fibre (e.g. oats, barley, rye, legumes, peeled fruits and vegetables, avocado, soy products).
• Try soy milk or lactose-free milk for a time if you develop a temporary intolerance to the natural sugar in milk (lactose).