Constipation emerged as a result of chemotherapy

Constipation and chemotherapy

The oncology patient reaches risk for constipation. Even though associated discomfort and high incidence of constipation are more popular, it's considered a trivial problem by medical service providers. Towards the patient, this is often a distressing and important problem.

Constipation is understood to be a chronic gastrointestinal disorder comprising hard stools, less than three stools each week, or even the wherewithal to expel stool, whether hard or soft.

In the oncology patient, constipation is a result of the malignant process itself or perhaps is iatrogenically induced. Agents that commonly produce constipation would be the vinca alkaloids, opioids given to decrease your pain, and antiemetics, specially the serotonin receptor antagonists.

Measure the patient's bowel function and elimination pattern. Review using the patient the twelve signs and the signs of constipation so when to report the symptoms. Ask the individual concerning the utilization of concomitant medications that could cause constipation.

Help the individual begin a daily bowel regimen. Let the patient to improve their intake of foods rich in fiber and bulk and also to drink 8 to 10 portions of fluids daily.

Warm fluids and prune juice are of help. Encourage exercise as tolerated. Advise the individual to consider prescribed medications. Call when the problem continues for 2 days.

Legal Disclaimer

Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Articleinput.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.

Note: This article was sent to us by: Kyle Jordan at 07262011

1. Monoclonal antibodies and their role in chemotherapy
Many tumor cells express substances on the surface that are unique to tumor cells. These substances might be absent or found in small quantities in normal cells, making tum...

2. Cytokines, interferons and toxicities in chemotherapy
Cytokines Cytokines are naturally sourced substances released from stimulated cells of the immune system. There is a big part in mediating the game of the immune ...

3. Interleukins in chemotherapy and cancer treatment
Interleukins are regulatory substances made by lymphocytes and monocytes. They bind to focus on cells to deliver messages between leukocytes. Interleukins demonstrate an ar...

4. Patient and family education for biotherapy in cancer treatment
Patient and family teaching highly relevant to biotherapy is a vital function of the oncology nurse. Nurses are likely involved in obtaining informed consent before initiat...

5. Preventing chemotherapy errors for maximum patient safety
The chemotherapy administration process provides many opportunities for a number of medical professionals to make mistakes. The mistake may occur anywhere in the chemothera...

6. Routes of administration for chemotherapy in cancer patients
Following pretreatment assessment the RN may administer the chemotherapy. As advances in chemotherapy occur, the routes of administration still evolve. The option of drug r...

7. Minimizing contact with chemotherapeutic agents
Because of the healthcare personnel who handles antineoplastic agents, questions have arisen about possible long-term perils associated with contact with these drugs. The t...

8. Cutaneous toxicity issues during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can induce alterations of the integumentary system. These could be generalized or localized reactions and therefore are often manifested on the skin, its appen...