Fighting constipation with fiber and other remedies
Your mother was right: bran and stewed prunes can help.
Constipation can be a problem at any time during your treatment. It
can decrease your appetite and make you feel bad. While it will vary
from person to person, normally you should have a bowel movement every 48 to 72
hours.
If you do get constipated during treatment, talk to your doctor about the best way
to proceed. Your doctor might also recommend some of the following ways to alleviate
your discomfort and help ensure that you stay strong:
- Use a stool softener
- Consume bulk-forming agents
- Take a laxative
You might try the following in your diet to aid in relieving constipation:
- Eat high-fiber foods, such as bran, every day
- Eat fruits and vegetables, beans, grains, bread, figs, stewed prunes, apples, and
brown rice
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day
You should never go over 72 hours without a bowel movement. If a healthy
diet, stool softeners, drinking plenty of fluids, increased physical activity, and
laxatives don’t work, consult your doctor.
Recipes for relieving constipation