Constipation

What is it?

Whether you've just undergone surgery or have just begun chemo, constipation is one of the most focused-upon problems associated with your comfort and wellbeing. It is described as hard, infrequent and difficult to pass stools.

Constipation after surgery is chiefly the result of the bowel having been "played with". The bowel HATES being touched and goes into a very stubborn "no I won't" mode known as "postoperative ileus".

Constipation associated with chemotherapy  is often due to the anti-nausea drugs and pain medications administered before and after your treatment. Knowing that this is a very common side effect, it is advisable to be proactive and prepare yourself before your treatment.

Conventional Wisdom:

The recommended constipation solutions usually include stool softeners and bowel stimulants which are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. Prolonged constipation may be a signal of bowel obstruction, bowel twisting or fecal impaction.   These conditions require immediate medical attention.  See Recurrence - Advanced Disease.

Self Help:

• Hydrate - 2- 3 litres (8 to 12 cups) of liquids per day - this cannot be stressed often enough as it is the best way to lessen your chemo side effects.
• include vegetable and fruit juicing in your diet - especially include a beet in the mix when preparing an anti-constipating elixir. Make every sip count.
• include a glass of pure, warm, organic prune juice in your diet the night before and every day for the first week after chemo.
• Ayurveda recommends taking Triphala: which simply means three fruits (haritaki, amalaki, bibhitaki). Triphala, which comes in a tablet form of these fruits, is available at your health food store and combines a purgative laxative and a lubricating bulk laxative without causing cramps or irritation. These tablets should be taken with warm water.
• some ladies on Inspire.com recommend "The Bomb" - 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia mixed into 1 cup of warm prune juice. (Stay home - it's powerful!)
• avoid caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, refined starches and binding foods containing milk and milk products.
• avoid dried fruits and nuts (for their lack of water content).
• walk

Don't push or strain.  You may have to resort to a Fleet enema.  

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