Constipation

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." ~ Joseph P. Kennedy

Whether you've just undergone surgery or have just begun chemo, constipation is one of the most serious problems associated with your comfort and wellbeing. 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 afterward termed "postoperative ileus" in medical-speak. The most frequent question you'll hear echoed up and down the corridors of the surgical ward is "any gas yet?" (usually not put so politely!) Gas is the signal that the bowel is once again working -normalizing peristaltic movements - and is the precursor to the bowel movement - the most highly sought after post-surgical occurrence! Once this occurs, you are usually released and once home, your biggest challenge will be to heal and make sure those bowels keep moving. The pain caused from the surgery, the biopsies etc is real enough but complicated with a sluggish bowel, it can be pure hell.

Important! - If you have a prolonged, severe case of constipation you must seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor or home nurse can treat you with a Fleet enema - warm water enema - which must be administered by a professional or in the case of extreme impaction, a gloved finger is inserted and the mass is manipulated - again, by a professional.

If you are not impacted or suffering over a period of more than 36 hours, the first thing to do is to GET THINGS MOVING:

• take Senokot® and Ducosate® as prescribed. I have taken up to 4 Senokot/day and 6 Ducosate/day to get things started
• taking Milk of Magnesia as directed - produces results in six hours
• drinking pure organic prune juice
• 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.

Remember to have a pillow in the bathroom to hold against your abdomen as you try to go. You will be sore and need something to help support yourself. You may also need a small pillow on the back of the seat just to be able to comfortably sit there.
The second thing to do is to KEEP things moving through hydration, diet and exercise.

• Drink, drink, drink. Up to three litres of liquid a day preferably fruit or vegetable juices. Make every sip count.
• 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)
• Add as many raw fruits and raw vegetables as possible…Get Juicing!

Try these exercises to help get things moving and remember to only do them within your comfort zone:

1. While on your bed, move onto hands and knees and gently rock. Move side to side and back and forth - slowly.
2. On your back, with both knees bent slowly try lifting one leg to your chest - hug that leg gently. Then try the other. Repeat several times. If you can, hold both knees to your chest and gently rock side to side.
3. Get up and try walking like a duck - hands on your knees, waddling side to side. Take care that you're not dizzy in this position.
4. Put both hands on the bathroom vanity - back away to an "L-shape" and rock from foot to foot.

Constipation associated with chemotherapy is largely due to the anti-nausea, steroids and pain medications and therefore, it is recommended that it be treated in a proactive manner by being aggressive ahead of time. Most people experience constipation immediately after their first chemo so taking your preferred solution from the list above the night before will keep you ahead of the meds. Again, diet is everything - staying with foods containing high fibre and drinking up to 3 litres of liquids a day will not only help flush the chemo through your system, but keep you regular. Get your juicer working overtime!

Get moving - chemo is no excuse for lack of exercise! (more on that later…)

| Home | Side Effects | Comfort & Healing | Recommended Reading | Financial & Legal | Medical Science | Nutrition | About |