Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Cancer: Home Treatment for Constipation

Cancer: Home Treatment for Constipation

Getting Started

These ideas can help you manage constipation caused by cancer or cancer treatment. If your doctor has given you instructions to treat constipation, be sure to follow them.

  • Drink plenty of fluids.
    • If you have heart failure or kidney failure, talk to your doctor about what amount of fluid is right for you.
    • Avoid alcohol. It can increase dehydration.
  • Include high-fiber foods in your diet each day.

    These foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. For example, have a bran muffin or bran cereal for breakfast. Eat a piece of fruit for an afternoon snack.

  • Be more active.

    But check with your doctor before you increase your physical activity, especially if you're getting cancer treatments. Talk with your doctor about what kind of exercise and how much exercise will help you.

  • Schedule time each day for a bowel movement.

    A daily routine may help. Take your time and don't strain having a bowel movement.

  • Support your feet with a small step stool when you sit on the toilet.

    This helps flex your hips and puts your pelvis in a squatting position.

  • Take a fiber supplement, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, every day.

    Read and follow all instructions on the label.

  • If constipation continues, talk to your doctor.

    Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter laxative such as Milk of Magnesia or MiraLax. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

    • Check with your doctor before you use any nonprescription medicines for constipation.
    • Do not use laxatives on a long-term basis.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have new or worse belly pain.
  • You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.
  • You have blood in your stools.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • Your constipation is getting worse.
  • You do not get better as expected.

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Constipation, Age 12 and Older

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details