It is often possible to encounter such medical terminology as "drug constipation."Many people are wondering why drug treatment can provoke dysfunction of the digestive organs, and what to do in this case. The cause of this type of pathology usually becomes that when some preparations are taken, the amount of water in the intestinal contents decreases, and they become dense. As a result, the speed of their movement through the intestines slows down considerably. Diuretics and cholestyramine can cause this kind of stool disorders. The same action has hypnotics, tranquilizers, drugs used to reduce blood pressure, and surprisingly, some tablets that have a laxative effect, which, on the contrary, should affect the cessation of constipation.
If constipation is caused by medication, no special treatment is required. Such pathology usually quickly passes independently after reception them stops. In the same case, when the required course of therapy is supposed to be long, it is necessary to say about the problem that has arisen to the doctor, and he will select an alternative remedy that will not depressively affect the bowel motility. Constipation after drugs may occur in those people who are engaged in self-medication and prescribe excessive doses of any tablets that cause violation of bowel motility. This situation is fraught with the development of chronic constipation, therefore, to avoid it, it is worthwhile to contact a specialist about the therapy of any ailment with the help of medicines.
Constipation after laxative
In some cases, drugs that are aimed at its regulation and cleansing of the large intestine can cause stool retardation. Often experts to achieve these goals are assigned such powders as Fortrans and Fitomycil. But not all patients who take them can achieve a persistent presumed effect. Why is this happening? To understand the situation, one should consider the action of each of these laxatives designed to normalize acts of defecation and prevent stagnant stool in the intestine:
- Fitomycil, made from wild plum and psyllium husks, is a drug in the form of a powder that has a mild laxative effect. According to experts, it does not cause addiction and side effects. Fitomycil is recommended for use in cleaning the colon and preventing constipation, even during pregnancy;
- Fortrans, an osmotic medicament laxative preparation in powder. Indication for its reception is the cleansing of the large intestine before instrumental diagnostic studies or surgical intervention. According to experts, the effect of Fortrans is much more effective than several cleansing enemas.
So why do these drugs in some cases cause constipation, and what should I do to prevent such a situation? The whole point is that they should be used only on the recommendation of a specialist and not allow violations both in the preparation of solutions and their use. In addition, we should not forget that when excessive use of medicinal laxatives, even having a mild effect, always has the opposite effect. Medication in this case is caused by a syndrome of the lazy intestine. To avoid its appearance, it should be remembered that any medications, tablets, powders or medicines that can soften fecal masses and stop constipation should be taken exceptionally, not more often 1-2 times a month, and then only after consulting a specialist.
Constipation after chemotherapy, what should I do?
If the patient can cope with the above-described problem on his own, simply excluding from the treatment methods any pathologies, including stool delays, drugs provoking stool hardening and slowing their progression in the intestines, what to do in case constipation is caused by chemotherapyand why is this happening? Constipation after chemotherapy can occur due to the fact that potent intestinal microflora has been destroyed by potent drugs. Also cause stagnation of stool in the digestive organs is the defeat of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. Another factor that causes such a violation of acts of defecation is the appearance of vegetative polyneuropathy and the defeat of the peripheral nervous system, which leads to dysfunctions in all systems and organs, including the gastrointestinal tract.
Patients assigned to this method of exposure to potent drugs are usually interested in whether the drug constipation always occurs during chemotherapy and how long this side effect can continue. Stool retention caused by chemotherapy is the most rare complication, but this does not detract from its seriousness. Constipation, which occurred due to the appointment of strong drugs to the patient, must necessarily be treated. And therapy of pathology should consist not in the appointment of medicinal laxatives, but in the correction of nutrition and the intensification of the drinking regime. With the disposal of an oncological patient from constipation provoked by chemotherapy, decoctions and infusions from medicinal plants can also be used. But the main place still takes in this case a diet. The specialists have several additional recommendations that should be considered when constipation occurred in a cancer patient as a result of chemotherapy and treatment with potent drugs:
- In case of stool delay for 2 days, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice, notpharmacy for suitable situations by medicines;
- To prevent the appearance of constipation, which can cause potent drugs in cancer patients, they should drink at least 6-8 glasses of fluid per day in the course of therapeutic interventions;
- Dietary nutrition of the patient should consist of those products that enhance intestinal motility. It is recommended to eat porridge with the addition of vegetable oil, coarse bread with bran, raw vegetables and fruits;
- All patients with constipation after strong medicine, it is recommended to add bran to food. But this should be done gradually, since a sharp increase in the dose always provokes the appearance of increased gas production and diarrhea;
- During treatment with drugs that have an antitumor effect, medicinal laxatives are only allowed as a last resort.
In addition, with constipation due to chemotherapy, in the case of a general satisfactory condition, the person is shown a slight physical load - morning exercise, fast walking and easy running in the open air. But the medicine should be taken with great care, after a mandatory consultation with a specialist. Also, in no case should not be carried away by cleansing or curative enemas.