How to Manage Constipation In Peritoneal Dialysis

Constipation is one of the common side effects of peritoneal dialysis and it usually among people who have started dialysis for a long time. With constipation problem, our life quality will be affected serious, so once it occurs, we need to take some measures to manage it.

Before talking about the management of constipation in peritoneal dialysis, let's learn what causes constipation in peritoneal dialysis firstly.

What can contribute to the constipation in peritoneal dialysis?

For people with peritoneal dialysis, the followings factor can contribute to the occurrence of constipation:

1. Low-fiber diet

2. Poor fluid intake

3. Sedentary lifestyle

4. Lack of exercises

5. Various medications especially calcium and iron supplements.

6. In cases of peritoneal dialysis, constipation is also associated with peritoneal catheter malfunction and peritonitis, which can result in dialysis modality failure.

How to manage constipation in peritoneal dialysis?

Constipation is usually described as difficult or infrequent bowel movements, straining during defecation, passing hard stools and difficult stool evacuation. Although it does threaten patient's life in short term, it leads to loss of life quality and increase health care costs.

The following is the introduction about the management of constipation in peritoneal dialysis and hope it is helpful for you.

1. Drink much more water

2. Dietary fiber helps to promote the movement of intestinal tract, so increasing dietary fiber will be helpful and dietary fiber is mostly contained by vegetables and fruits.

3. In some cases, patients adopt constipating medicines to help deal with constipation problem. Actually, when constipation occurs, they should avoid using constipating medications.

4. Increasing physical activities and this also helps to alleviate or prevent constipation for peritoneal dialysis patients.

Not everyone with peritoneal dialysis will certainly suffer from constipation, so as long as we take preventive measures in advance, constipation can be avoided effectively.