Guide To Managing Radiation Enteritis

Radiation enteritis is a condition that occurs in individuals undergoing radiation therapy where the lining of the intestines becomes damaged and inflamed. This condition affects patients having radiation therapy aimed at the pelvis, abdomen, or rectum. Radiation enteritis occurs because the high-energy particles, x-rays, or radioactive seeds used in radiation therapy destroy not only the cancerous cells but the healthy cells as well. Individuals affected by this condition commonly experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, and bloody stools. For most individuals affected by this condition, symptoms will improve within a couple of months after the end of their radiation regimen. However, a few patients will experience chronic and long-term symptoms.