10 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Symptom #3: Constipation
In pancreatic cancer patients, opioid therapy may cause constipation and prevention should be started at the onset of opioid prescription. Other causes of constipation in pancreatic cancer patients include factors such as having a low fiber diet, decreased fluid intake, decreased physical activity and side effects from prolonged bed rest. It can also be caused by metabolic abnormalities and bowel obstruction.
The treatment of constipation depends on the underlying cause but patients should be encouraged to increase fluid intake, physical activity, and prescribed laxatives (such as lactulose, colace, Senokot, or Dulcolax) or enemas if necessary.
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