Madeleine Hull
Chemotherapy can cause constipation, which is when you don't have a bowel movement often enough or have difficult bowel movements. This can be caused by the chemotherapy drugs themselves, other medications taken alongside chemotherapy, or changes in diet and physical activity levels during treatment. Constipation can usually be relieved by increasing your fibre intake, drinking plenty of water or juices, and exercising. If you haven't gone to the bathroom in a week or more, it's important to seek medical attention. On the other hand, chemotherapy can also cause diarrhoea, which is loose or watery bowel movements. Diarrhoea can be managed by drinking clear liquids, eating small meals, and taking over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeal medication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Chemotherapy drugs called vinca alkaloids, certain medicines that affect the digestive tract, pain medication, anti-nausea drugs, and narcotics |
| Side effects | Constipation, diarrhea, mucositis (redness, swelling, tenderness, or sores in the mouth, tongue, or lips) |
| Treatment | Increase fiber intake, drink plenty of water or juices, exercise, over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives, eat fruits and vegetables, follow the BRATY diet |
| Precautions | Flush the toilet twice after chemotherapy for at least seven days, put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing, sit on the toilet to use it, wash hands with warm water and soap afterward |
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What You'll Learn
Chemotherapy can cause constipation
Constipation can also be caused by other factors, such as stress, diet, and lack of physical activity. Eating high-fat meats, dairy products, eggs, rich desserts, and sugary sweets may cause constipation. Age can also be a factor, as intestines tend to move more slowly as people get older.
If you are experiencing constipation, there are several treatments you can try to induce a bowel movement:
- Drink plenty of water or other fluids, such as prune juice or ginger tea.
- Eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, prunes, and bran cereal.
- Get regular exercise.
- Try over-the-counter treatments, such as stool softeners or laxatives.
- Ask your doctor about an enema.
It is important to seek medical attention if you have not had a bowel movement in a week or more to avoid severe complications.
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Drink plenty of water
Chemotherapy can be extremely taxing on the body, and it is common to experience constipation or diarrhea. Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to combat these issues and stay healthy.
Firstly, it is important to understand that chemotherapy drugs are extremely toxic to the body. They are designed to kill cancer cells, but they also end up killing healthy cells in the process. This can lead to dehydration as the body uses water to detoxify. Therefore, drinking water is crucial to help your body recover from each chemotherapy treatment.
Secondly, drinking water has the added benefit of forcing you to get up and move around, which is highly encouraged during chemotherapy. Getting out of your chair and walking around helps circulate the drugs faster, and it also makes you feel stronger and more fluid. It is a simple yet effective way to improve your overall well-being during this challenging time.
Additionally, drinking water can help with constipation, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Water adds moisture to your stool, making it easier to pass. It is recommended to drink two to four extra glasses of water a day, unless your doctor has advised you to limit fluids. Try drinking warm liquids, especially in the morning, and consider infusing your water with fruit to make it more palatable.
Finally, drinking water can also help prevent diarrhea, which can be caused by certain chemotherapy treatments. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so staying hydrated is crucial. In addition to water, you can also consume decaffeinated tea, juices, and milk to stay hydrated and combat the negative effects of chemotherapy.
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Eat fibre-rich foods
Chemotherapy can cause constipation, which can be a result of changes in the intestine lining. Constipation can also be caused by other medications, such as painkillers and anti-nausea drugs, as well as stress, diet, and lack of physical activity.
If you haven't gone to the bathroom in 2 days, it is important to take steps to relieve constipation. One way to do this is by eating fibre-rich foods. Fibre is a major component of foods that relieve constipation and can be found in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre dissolves in water and forms a gel that adds bulk to stools, making them softer and easier to pass. Insoluble fibre, on the other hand, is what we typically refer to as roughage. It is the material from food that the body cannot break down, so it leaves the body largely unchanged.
- Eat fruits and vegetables: Prunes, in particular, are rich in fibre and contain sorbitol, which has gastrointestinal benefits. Bananas are also high in fibre and can help prevent and relieve constipation.
- Consume whole grains: This includes whole-grain breads and cereals, as well as whole wheat products.
- Drink plenty of liquids: Fluids help add moisture to your stool, making it easier to pass. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water or other liquids per day.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity stimulates the digestive system and can help relieve constipation.
It is important to note that if you are chronically constipated, you should consult a dietitian to create a fibre-rich, long-term eating plan. Additionally, if you haven't had a bowel movement in 3 days or more, you may need to consider over-the-counter treatments or seek medical attention to avoid severe complications.
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Exercise regularly
Chemotherapy can cause constipation, which is when you don't have a bowel movement often enough or have difficult bowel movements. This can be caused by changes in the lining of the intestine, changes in your eating habits, or a lack of physical activity.
Exercising regularly is one way to help prevent constipation. It is recommended that you exercise most days of the week, or at least plan for regular times throughout the week that suit you to be active. You can improve your fitness in as little as two weeks before treatment starts, and it is worth doing prehab activities even if you have a short time before your cancer treatment.
You can aim for two and a half hours of moderate, or one and a quarter hours of vigorous activity per week, as well as some strength-building exercises like weight training or yoga twice a week. However, the amount and level of physical activity you can do will differ from person to person. Speak to your healthcare team or GP for advice.
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Seek medical attention if constipation persists
Constipation is a common side effect of chemotherapy. It can be caused by the chemotherapy drugs themselves, or by other medications taken to manage side effects during chemotherapy. If you have not had a bowel movement for a few days, it is important to seek medical attention to avoid severe complications.
If you are experiencing constipation, there are several things you can try to induce a bowel movement. These include:
- Increasing your fibre intake by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, prunes, and bran cereal.
- Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, to add moisture to your stool and make it easier to pass.
- Getting regular exercise, as physical activity is known to help stimulate the digestive system.
- Taking over-the-counter medications such as stool softeners or laxatives.
However, if your constipation persists despite trying these remedies, it is important to seek medical attention. Your doctor can examine you and recommend treatments to relieve your constipation. They may also prescribe medications to prevent constipation in the future.
Do not ignore the urge to poop, as this can lead to fecal impaction, a potentially life-threatening condition. If you are experiencing constipation during chemotherapy, it is important to let your healthcare provider know so they can help you manage this side effect.
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Frequently asked questions
You may be experiencing constipation, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy. This could be caused by the chemotherapy drugs themselves, or other medications you may be taking to manage side effects.
There are several ways to relieve constipation:
- Increase your fibre intake through diet or supplements.
- Drink plenty of water or juices to add moisture to your stool.
- Get some exercise to stimulate your digestive system.
- Try over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives.
- Ask your doctor about an enema.
To prevent constipation, you can:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat balanced meals with high-fibre foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Stay physically active.
If you haven't had a bowel movement in a week or more, it's important to seek medical attention to avoid severe complications.
