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Nutrition and daily life

Stomach and bowel problems: bloating, pain and heartburn

During treatment bloating, belly pain, heartburn and nausea often come together. Causes include medicines, infections, stress and changes in eating. This section covers general relief and the warning signs.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A simple pastel illustration.
Figure 1.The digestive tract.

01Short answer

Eat little and often, chew slowly and sit upright after meals. For now cut down on gassy foods (cabbage, legumes, fizzy drinks), greasy and spicy dishes. Let your team choose heartburn medicines. Sudden or worsening belly pain, fever, vomiting, blood in or black stools, or a hard belly: call your team at once, especially during neutropenia.

02Simple explanation

Little and often.

Fewer gassy foods.

Medicines from the team.

Sharp pain or fever? At once.

03Scientific explanation

Neutropenic enterocolitis: in neutropenia, belly pain with fever can signal a serious bowel infection and needs urgent assessment.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Heartburn

Do not eat in the 2–3 hours before bed, and raise the head of the bed.

A compress on a blanket.
Figure 2.A warm compress — Stomach and bowel problems: bloating, pain and heartburn

Stress

Calm breathing and a calm setting help digestion.

Four small plates across the day.
Figure 3.Small portions — Stomach and bowel problems: bloating, pain and heartburn

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
HeartburnDo not eat in the 2–3 hours before bed, and raise the head of the bed.
StressCalm breathing and a calm setting help digestion.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Bloating
Gas building up in the bowel.
Neutropenic enterocolitis
Bowel inflammation during neutropenia.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Small portions.
  • Sit upright after meals.
  • Call with sharp pain.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Is a warm compress OK?

It helps some people with mild pain; take care if skin is sensitive.

Should I take an antacid?

Some antacids affect how medicines are absorbed; ask first.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is a warm compress OK?

  2. Should I take an antacid?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. National Cancer Institute. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients
  6. USDA. FoodData Central
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Pomegranate
  8. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Resveratrol
  9. National Cancer Institute. Laetrile/Amygdalin (PDQ®)–Patient Version
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): People at Risk
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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