Constipation during chemotherapy is a main side effect of chemotherapy. Some chemo drugs damage the intestinal lining, which leads to constipation.

It also happens due to patients’ decreased physical activity. As patients do not walk frequently due to weakness and lethargy, this leads to decreased bowel movement and leads to constipation.

Another reason is due to decreased oral intake. Patients receiving chemotherapy do not take oral fluids due to changes in taste, nausea, and vomiting, which further leads to hard stools.

Complications due to constipation:

It is necessary to treat constipation on time. If not addressed and reported on time, constipation can become a major issue for some patients.

It can lead to indigestion and a decrease in appetite, which can further weaken the patient’s physical health and cause medical problems such as:

Epigastric pain

Abdominal pain and discomfort

The feeling of indigestion

Flatulence and bloating

Decrease appetite

Nausea and vomiting in severe constipation

Distended Belly and back pain

Decrease energy levels

Bad breath: People with constipation experience bad breath due to the accumulation of gases as a result of the breakdown of food by bacteria in the gut.

Headaches

Sleep disturbances

Mental irritability and confusion in severe cases

Can lead to anal tears and injury, on straining to pass hard stools

Tips to Manage and Prevent Constipation during Chemotherapy:

Constipation during Chemotherapy can be prevented by lifestyle modifications and diet. The following are some tips that can prevent constipation.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Drink plenty of juices and fluids, as we know water or fluid intake is very important for our body to work well. Drinking water and juices can help soften hard stool, making it easier to pass without hurting the anal mucosa.

Furthermore, water helps in maintaining hydration, keeps a person alert, and also helps in the digestion of food.

 Use a High fiber diet:

A diet high in fiber can prevent constipation. A high-fiber diet includes fruits, cereals, and well-cooked vegetables. Some fruits like bananas, apples, berries, and pears contain a good amount of fiber.

However, fruits and vegetables are recommended to prevent constipation, but try to take fresh and clean fruits and vegetables. Must wash the fresh vegetables twice or thrice with clean water.

As the main side effect of chemotherapy is a patient’s weak immune system due to low white blood cells, patients catch infections very easily. So, try to use well-cooked vegetables and hygienic fruit.

Over-the-counter stool softeners:

  Constipation could be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes, such as, healthy diet, fruits, and exercise, but in severe cases, you can use some over-the-counter stool softeners. Do not use too much, which can cause diarrhea.

Furthermore, do not overuse or do not use stool softeners daily, as this will make you habitual, and your gut movement will be decreased. So, try to relieve the constipation by natural remedies such as physical activity, using a high fiber diet, and plenty of fluids.

Over-the-counter stool softeners should not be used excessively on your own; you must consult with your healthcare provider for safe relief of constipation.

Role of physical activity in preventing constipation: ( Constipation during chemotherapy)

Physical activity is very important to prevent constipation. People who do not walk frequently experience more problems with constipation and indigestion than those who are active physically, so do not confine yourself to bed, which can decrease your digestion and gut motility and cause constipation. So, physical activity is very necessary to prevent constipation.

If in case you can not go outside your house, do a walk inside the house or in your room. Moreover, involve yourself in the kitchen in cooking with care. Such as, avoid using sharps to avoid cuts, etc.

Warm Milk with Some Funnel Seeds: ( Constipation during chemotherapy)

Using warm milk with some funnel seeds in it, taking it at bedtime, is the best remedy for constipation. However, the funnel seeds should be washed properly to avoid any kind of infection-carrying bacteria. As patients on chemotherapy have a very poor immune system and a small organism from outside can cause a major illness.

Funnel seed normally improves digestion. Those patients who have lactose intolerance should avoid this remedy.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the person’s inability to digest lactose. Lactose is a sugar present in milk. Some people do not digest milk, which can cause diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion.

So, people who have these kinds of symptoms should avoid using milk and milk products to relieve constipation.

Yogurt and sweet potatoes:

Yogurt contains probiotics and is good for bowel health, and prevents constipation. Sweet potatoes are also good for relieving and preventing constipation.

Foods to Avoid Constipation during Chemotherapy:

There are some foods that, if used in excessive amounts, can worsen your constipation. e.g

Rice.

Fatty foods.

Frozen meat.

Eggs.

Too much use of coffee.

Use of green tea:

Avoid the use of green tea, as green tea causes dehydration. To avoid constipation, a person must have a positive hydration status, and if a person is dehydrated, constipation can occur.

What are the complications of Severe Constipation?

If severe constipation is not relieved on time, it can lead to intra-abdominal infections. Passing hard stools can also cause harm to the anal mucosa, resulting in per-rectal bleeding and injury to anal tissues.

These injuries can potentially lead to infection and severe pain. It is important to seek medical help to relieve constipation, to avoid these complications.

How to prevent constipation?

To prevent constipation, it is best to make lifestyle changes through diet and exercise. It is not recommended to rely on over-the-counter stool softeners, as they can cause your bowel to become dependent on them, which is also called laxative abuse. Exercise, good hydration, and a diet high in fiber are the best remedies to prevent constipation. Must apply home remedies first, then go for stool softeners.

Furthermore, stool softeners should be stopped immediately if symptoms of loose abdomen start; if not stopped, they could lead to severe diarrhea, which may further lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. In some cases, such a situation leads to hospitalization.