Constipation
Certain medicines, changes in eating habits, and being less active can cause your child’s bowels to move less often and stools to become harder to pass (constipation). If your child is constipated, your doctor, nurses, or dietitian may suggest adding high-fiber foods to your child’s diet. Examples of high-fiber foods include whole-grain breads and cereals, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, beans, and nuts. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day, eating at regular times, and increasing physical activity can also help relieve constipation.
Laxatives should only be used if OK’d by your doctor first. Talk to your doctor or nurse about how long your child can go without a bowel movement before you need to do something.
Nutrition for Children with Cancer
- Why good nutrition is important
- Benefits of good nutrition
- What children with cancer need: Nutrients
- How your child can take in nutrients
- When your child is taking steroids
- Cancer treatment side effects and what you can do about them
- Appetite changes
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Mouth pain, throat pain, or mouth sores
- Trouble swallowing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth or thick saliva
- Unwanted weight gain
- Fatigue
- Low white blood cell counts
- Ways to help your child take in more protein and calories
- Recipes to try
- Choose My Plate for children
- To learn more
- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and master’s-prepared nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Medical Review: June 30, 2014 Last Revised: June 30, 2014
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