Thursday, February 4, 2010

After having surgery for colon cancer, how do I best handle short bowel syndrome, malabsorbtion of nutrients

After having surgery for colon cancer, how do I best handle short bowel syndrome, malabsorbtion of nutrients?
I have been using codine to control my bowels but I would prefer some other product as this leaves me very tired and it doesn't do much good for me. Any other ideas?
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
Please work closely with your Doctor on your treatment. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/shortbowel/ Short Bowel Syndrome Short bowel syndrome is a group of problems affecting people who have had half or more of their small intestine removed. The most common reason for removing part of the small intestine is to treat Crohn's disease. Diarrhea is the main symptom of short bowel syndrome. Other symptoms include cramping, bloating, and heartburn. Many people with short bowel syndrome are malnourished because their remaining small intestine is unable to absorb enough water, vitamins, and other nutrients from food. They may also become dehydrated, which can be life threatening. Problems associated with dehydration and malnutrition include weakness, fatigue, depression, weight loss, bacterial infections, and food sensitivities. Short bowel syndrome is treated through changes in diet, intravenous feeding, vitamin and mineral supplements, and medicine to relieve symptoms. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Short_bowel_syndrome?OpenDocument Treatment options: Cases of short bowel syndrome that don't resolve in time need lifelong treatment. The aim of treatment is to provide symptom relief. Strategies may include: Special diet - including high kilojoule, high nutrition, low fat and low residue foods. Vitamin and mineral supplements. Medications to slow peristalsis. Bile salt-binding medications. Medications to reduce stomach acid, if too much acid is a contributing factor. In severe cases, a liquid diet given intravenously. In severe cases, a small intestine transplant operation may be considered. Hope this helps. Good luck and God Bless!
2 :
My first thought is a multivitamin perscribed by your doctor -or- just an over the counter one, but you probably already are taking one right?

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