Diet, fluid and exercise

Increasing the amount of fibre you eat can help prevent or stop constipation. You can increase your fibre intake by eating

• High fibre breakfast cereal such as All Bran, Weetabix or muesli
• Wholemeal or granary breads instead of white bread
• Plenty of fruit and vegetables - raw or cooked, with the skin or peel left on
• Wholegrain rice or pasta instead of ‘white’ rice or pasta
• Dried fruit, seeds, nuts or popcorn
• Potatoes in their skins
• More beans, pulses, lentils and oats
• Cakes or biscuits made with wholemeal flour

Remember to drink plenty if you are increasing your fibre intake. Fibre draws water into the bowel, so you could become dehydrated if you do not drink enough.

Drinking plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juice and soups helps soften your stools and make them easier to pass. Drinking between 8 and 10 large glasses of these types of fluids each day can help prevent constipation. But drinking alcohol or large amounts of drinks that contain caffeine, like coffee and cola, can cause dehydration.

Always check with your doctor or nurse about how much you should be drinking, and which fluids are best.

Making sure you eat a high fibre diet and drink enough is not always easy if your cancer or its treatment is causing

• Sickness
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Nutritional problems
• Breathing problems
• Fever and infections
• Mouth problems

The hospital or community dietician can help you plan a diet high in fibre with plenty of fluids. Try and eat your meals at the same time each day as this can help make your bowel motions more regular.

If your constipation is not getting any better, don’t be afraid to ask for help from those caring for you. Let your doctor know as soon as you begin to have problems. The earlier you tell them, the easier it will be to treat.

Regular exercise helps keep your bowel movements regular. Side effects from your cancer and its treatment can make it difficult to exercise. You may feel you don’t have the energy for it. But a little is better than none.

A short walk each day may make all the difference to keeping your bowel motions soft and regular. Exercise has also been shown to increase energy levels, so you may gradually feel better and be able to do a little more.