Chemotherapy and GI Upset
- Gastrointestinal distress is a common side effect of chemotherapy
- Anti-nausea medication is effective, but can cause constipation
- Chemotherapy can cause the body to lose magnesium, which can also lead to constipation
Most people associate chemotherapy with nausea, however, chemotherapy protocols can also cause gastrointestinal distress in the form of constipation and diarrhea, particularly among patients who take anti-nausea medication.
Read More- Anti-nausea medications: “Some of the anti-nausea medications we use as a means of reducing nausea can cause constipation,” Dr. Urban says.
- Low magnesium levels: One of the drugs doctors used for advanced ovarian cancer, called carboplatin, can oftentimes cause the body to lose magnesium…and low magnesium levels often causes constipation.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to prevent constipation:
- Take a magnesium supplement: Since chemotherapy can rob the body of magnesium, taking a daily magnesium supplement can help. “One of the actual side effects of this can be looser stool,” Dr. Urban says. “So when patients take magnesium, they’re getting some of that magnesium back while also helping the constipation.”
- Eat more fiber: Increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can help move things through your digestive tract. Fiber-rich “P” fruits, such as fresh plums, peaches, pears and pineapple can be especially helpful.
- Drink more water: Sip water throughout the day to ensure you’re getting the recommended 60 ounces daily. If you’re losing a lot of fluids from vomiting, make sure to rehydrate with water and fluids to hold off constipation.
- Exercise: Exercise is important for ovarian cancer patients, even in the absence of constipation. But physical activity is critical to keep waste moving through the digestive tract. Aim for about a half hour of activity daily (but even a 10-minute walk could do the trick).
- Laxatives: Ask your doctor about stool softeners or laxatives that can provide relief.
Chemotherapy-Associated Diarrhea
Diarrhea is less common among ovarian cancer patients than constipation, but it’s still possible. Diarrhea can happen as a side effect of chemotherapy, but it can also occur as a reaction to surgical treatment.
“Depending on both the frequency and character of the diarrhea, there are different strategies patients can take to make the stool more substantial,” Dr. Urban says. A few potential solutions:
- Fiber: Increasing fiber intake can work for constipation and diarrhea alike. In the case, of diarrhea, fiber can make stool more substantial.
- Anti-spasmodic medications: These medications help slow down an overactive intestine to allow more water to be absorbed in the colon.
- Probiotics: While patients who are undergoing chemotherapy should generally avoid probiotics, there may be a role for these supplements among patients who are dealing with diarrhea. “There are pros and cons of adding probiotics while on treatment,” Dr. Urban says. “That’s something I will address on a patient-by-patient basis.”
No matter which gastrointestinal side effects you’re struggling with, it’s important to check in with your doctor. Left untreated, both constipation and diarrhea can lead to a host of issues. The longer the symptoms persist, the harder it is to resolve problems. So it's important to address these issues as soon as possible.
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