 Overview
Coping
Preventing constipation:
If you have been taking narcotic pain medications on a regular basis, you may have problems with constipation because narcotics slow down the activity of the bowel. Other causes of constipation may include changes in the amount of usual physical activity or a decrease in the type and amount of food eaten daily. Even feelings of anxiety or depression can have an influence.
Duration:
The constipation may begin within a few days of starting a new pain medication. After the medication is stopped, the constipation usually improves.
Self-Care Measures:
- Eat a high fiber diet to include the following:
- Four or more servings of whole grain breads or cereals, (especially high fiber breads, bran cereal, bran flakes, and unprocessed bran are especially high in fiber content).
- Two or more servings of fruits (unpeeled fresh fruits and dried fruits are recommended).
- Two or more servings of vegetables (legumes, potatoes with skins, and raw vegetables are recommended). Other high fiber food include popcorn, nuts and seeds.
- Increase your fluid intake to at least eight glasses per day.
- Increase your physical activity such as walking, because this will increase your bowel activity.
- Use of a stool softener such as Senokot-S or Metamucil may be recommended and requires good fluid intake. Check with your doctor BEFORE taking the laxative.
- An alternative to a medication is to have one to two bran balls each day. These also require good fluid intake.
Bran Balls
2 cups unprocessed bran
2 cups applesauce
1 cup prune juice
Mix above and form into ball shapes, refrigerate.
Consult your health care team if:
- You develop significant abdominal pain.
- You notice blood in your stools, or dark tarry stools.
- You develop diarrhea.
- The medication and diet prescribed to relieve your constipation is not effective.
|
 |
Chemotherapy and You
Information about what to expect during chemotherapy and what patients can do to take care of themselves during and after treatment.
View Site
Download PDF
Get PDF Viewer
|
|
|
 |
Radiation Therapy and You
Information about what to expect during radiation therapy, including the general effects of treatment and how to deal with specific side effects.
View Site |
|
