Constipation

Constipation is when your bowel movements (faeces, stools or poo) are hard and difficult to pass. It can be caused by different factors including: some chemotherapy and anti-nausea drugs; strong pain medicines (opioids); eating less fibre; not moving around as much; not drinking enough (dehydration); or not eating enough.

If you have severe constipation with symptoms such as abdominal (tummy) pain and swelling, nausea and vomiting, this may be sign of a blockage in the bowel (bowel obstruction). This needs urgent medical attention.

How to manage constipation

• Drink 8–10 glasses of fluid a day (e.g. water, herbal tea, milk-based drinks, soup, prune juice) to soften faeces.
• Eat foods high in insoluble fibre (e.g. wholegrain breads, cereals or pasta; raw and unpeeled fruits and vegetables; nuts and seeds; legumes and pulses).
• If you add foods with more insoluble fibre to your diet, drink more fluids to avoid the extra fibre making constipation worse.
• Ask your doctor about using a laxative, stool softener and/or fibre supplement.
• Plan to do some physical activity every day. Ask your doctor, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist about the amount and type of exercise that is right for you.
• Visit your doctor if you see blood in your faeces. They’ll check for haemorrhoids or any other issues.
• If you have had surgery for bowel cancer and have a stoma ask your health care team for specific dietary advice. They may suggest eating more low-fibre foods avoid constipation.

→ READ MORE: Managing diarrhoea