Cancer chemotherapy patient care XXV: constipation

  1. Patients feel inconvenienced by “alternating constipation and diarrhea” “stools become hard like cement”, etc. 2. Causes 1) Side effects of chemotherapy drugs Vincristine (Vincristine class), paclitaxel (Paclitaxel class) and other drugs affect the autonomic nerves and cause constipation .  (2), the side effects of clinical drugs antiemetic drugs, medical anesthetics, some antidepressants and other drugs, will inhibit intestinal peristalsis, which can cause constipation.  3).Other abdominal surgery, insufficient exercise, mental stress, reduced food or water intake, abnormal calcium or potassium balance, cancer symptoms, etc. can also be the cause of constipation.  3.Lifestyle care 1)Please try to think about the food and water intake.  Eat more soups or fruits to increase water in your body.  Eat less of those foods that tend to cause dry stools (refined white rice, refined bread, rice cakes, udon, etc.).  It is recommended to eat more foods rich in dietary fiber such as beans and dried vegetables.  Fermented foods such as yogurt, pickles and natto can supplement intestinal probiotics.  2) Please exercise moderately.  You can walk or do easy gymnastics and other activities to move your body.  3).Don’t hold back when you want to have a bowel movement, go as soon as possible.  Constipation is more likely to occur if you repeatedly hold it in.  After breakfast, try to sit patiently on the toilet for a while and see.  4).Make your body warmer.  5).You can try massage.  Try massaging around your belly button in a repeated, slow circular motion with your hand in a clockwise direction.