Preventive Measures for Constipation among Dialysis Patients

Constipation is a common problem among the patients on dialysis. The stools are usually hard, dry and difficult to pass. It may cause gastrointestinal disorders, anal fissure, haemorrhoids and so on. Therefore, it is very essential to take effective preventive measures to avoid constipation for the patients on dialysis.
Generally speaking, the persons with constipation problem are recommended to have high fiber intake, drink more water and take proper exercises to increase the intestinal peristalsis. However, as the fiber foods are often rich in potassium and phosphorus, these minerals are restricted in the patients on dialysis.
Moreover, they should also limit water intake. Therefore, the above recommendations can be difficult to follow for the patients on dialysis. The following article will introduce the general preventive measures for the patients on dialysis to avoid constipation.

Diet

Eating high fiber foods free of the substances that do harm to kidneys is the best way to prevent constipation. High-fiber whole grains and dried beans should be removed from their daily diet. As fruits and vegetables are abundant of fibers, the patients on dialysis should increase the allowed fruits and vegetables like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, grapes, carrots, green beans and so on in their daily diet.

Fiber supplement

If the patients on dialysis can not get enough fiber from their daily diet, they can increase fiber supplement properly by eating some fiber products. You should choose some safe brands and consult your doctor whether you should keep a fiber supplement.

Medications

If the above to measures is not enough to relive the constipation, the patients can ask their doctors to recommend some medications like a softener or a laxative. They should take some medications to help with regular bowel movement. Moreover, some meditations they take currently may contribute to the constipation for the patients on dialysis. They should tell their doctors what medicines they take and ask their doctors to change them or decline dosage.


If the patients on dialysis can take effective measures, the incidence of constipation will be reduced greatly.