Welcome to ChemoExperts to learn about constipation.
We will discuss: What is it?
What does it look like?
Who gets it? and How do we treat it?
Constipation is simply defined as a disruption in normal bowel movements.
Normally, people have a bowel movement (BM) every day or every other day.
If you do not have a BM for more than 2 days, the stools can become hard and difficult to
pass.
This can lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, nausea as well as pain, blood in the stool,
or hemorrhoids.
Anyone can potentially experience constipation.
Risk factors making constipation more likely include poor diet, dehydration, and decreased
activity.
Patients with cancer can have a higher risk for constipation die to several additional
factors.
For example, if there is a tumor in the intestines or rectum, it can directly block stool from
moving through the digestive tract which prevents the ability to have a bowel movement.
Additionally, certain chemotherapy drugs can cause constipation by slowing the movement
of food through the digestive tract.
Strong pain medications, such as opioids, are a common cause of constipation.
Opioids slow down the intestines causing the stool to move through them much more slowly
than normal.
Some of the more common opioids include morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and
fentanyl.
And don't forget, this kind of constipation will only go away when once opioids are no
longer taken.
Opioids cause the stool to sit in the colon or rectum longer allowing more water to be
absorbed.
This can lead to harder stools and straining when trying to pass them.
Stool can become so hard that it feels like a rock.
If you take pain medications, you may need to take docusate or senna daily to prevent
constipation.
Docusate is a detergent that coats the stool cuasing it to absorb water and senna is a
natural plant laxative.
Docusate plus senna is combined in one tablet known as Senna-S. If you are taking senna
and docusate and are still constipated, speak to your Doctor or Pharmacist about additional
laxative options that are safe for you.
How is constipation prevented?
Walking helps stimulate the intestines to move stool down the intestinal tract.
Check with your Doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Remember, it is not always what you eat, it's what you are NOT eating.
Fruits with edible peelings such as apples, peaches, and raspberries may help.
Vegetables are also a great source of fiber.
It is important to know that some Doctors recommend all fruits and vegetables be thoroughly
cooked for people with poorly functioning immune systems, such as those with acute leukemias.
In addition to grains, such as whole grain breads, oatmeal, raw fruit and veggies, fiber
can be purchased at your pharmacy or grocery store as a tablet or powder supplement.
Fiber supplements such as psyllium shown on the left works by absorbing the water you
drink and locking it into the stool to prevent it from hardening.
After mixing psyllium with water, it grows in size within the intestine.
Then similar to unclogging a blocked drain, psyllium works by flushing stool through the
bowel.
There are many other medications that can help you have a bowel movement.
Other oral laxatives are available.
Although some are prescribed, many are available over-the-counter at your pharmacy.
One class of medications are laxatives, which work by either causing the intestines to move
faster, or causing water to stay in the bowel allowing stool to pass through easier.
Because not all laxatives are safe for everyone, ask your Doctor or Pharmacist before trying
a laxative.
Commonly available over-the-counter laxatives include: magnesium citrate, bisacodyl (Dulcolax),
polyethylene glycol (Miralax), or Senna-S. If over-the-counter medications are not successful,
ask your doctor about one of these prescription medications, such as lactulose liquid, or
methylnaltrexone.
After receiving chemotherapy, enemas and suppositories are NOT recommended, as they could lead to
a puncture or tear in the rectum and cause a severe infection while your immune system
is recovering.
Remember to "SDIMulate your colon by: Staying active, Drinking plenty of water, Include
a healthy amount of fiber in your diet, and Minimize constipating foods.
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