Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI]-Treatment of Symptoms

Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI] - Treatment of Symptoms

Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ®): Supportive care - Patient Information [NCI] Guide

Constipation

It is very common for cancer patients to have constipation (fewer than three bowel movements a week). Constipation may be caused by the following:

Too little water or fiber in the diet.
Not being active.
Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy.
Certain medicines used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and pain.

Preventing and treating constipation is a part of cancer care.

To prevent constipation:

Eat more fiber-containing foods. Twenty-five to 35 grams of fiber a day is best. Food labels show the amount of fiber in a serving. (Some sources of fiber are listed below.) Add a little more fiber each day and drink plenty of fluids at the same time to keep the fiber moving through the intestines.
Drink 8 to 12 cups of fluid each day. Water, prune juice, warm juices, lemonade, and teas without caffeine can be very helpful.
Take walks and exercise regularly. Wear shoes made for exercise.

To treat constipation:

Continue to eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of fluids. Try adding wheat bran to the diet; begin with 2 heaping tablespoons each day for 3 days, then increase by 1 tablespoon each day until constipation is relieved. Do not take more than 6 tablespoons a day.
Stay physically active.
Use over-the-counter constipation treatments, if needed. These include:
- Bulk-forming products (such as Citrucel, Metamucil, Fiberall, and Fiber-Lax).
- Stimulants (such as Dulcolax and Senokot).
- Stool softeners (such as Colace and Surfak).
- Osmotics (such as milk of magnesia).
Cottonseed and aerosol enemas can also help. Do not use lubricants such as mineral oil because they may keep the body from using important nutrients the way it should.