Constipation, cancer patients and aromatherapy

Constipation, which is seen as a result of the deterioration of the health of intestinal functions, is a very challenging problem.
is the problem. Prolonged constipation problems are associated with inevitable pain and eating disorders.
results. One of the groups in which constipation is most common is advanced cancer patients.
Consequences of inadequate bowel management reduce the comfort of cancer patients and
lowers the quality. Medication, dietary mobility, and other factors can cause constipation in these patients.
it triggers. Medication for constipation may be a solution, but like cancer, it is already
The use of non-pharmacological methods in patients receiving drug therapy is dependent on drugs.
eliminates the risk of a new side effect.
Constipation; graded as primary, secondary, and iatrogenic. Primary constipation, decreased fiber and fluid
caused by its consumption. Secondary constipation, tumor, intestinal obstruction or spinal cord compression
due to pathological changes. Iatrogenic constipation, on the other hand, is dependent on pharmacological interventions.
depending on it. Pharmacological interventions that cause constipation include some types of drugs.
covers. Some pain relievers, antidepressants, anti-nausea medications, and chemotherapy are examples.
can be given as Chronic constipation, untreated intestinal obstruction, fever, stomach
causes nausea and vomiting.
A study conducted in 2021 found that the problem of constipation especially in advanced cancer patients
He suggested aromatherapy for relief and studied its effects. Aromatherapy, from aromatic plants
Benefit from the healing effects of essential oils obtained. Aromatic oils inhalation
or absorbed through the skin and taken into the body. Thus, they show physiological and psychological effects.
Many clinical studies have confirmed the various effects of aromatherapy. Also, aromatherapy
It is one of the most commonly used complementary therapies by nurses.
Patients who were treated in the oncology service and had constipation problems were included in the study.
included as a participant. The patients were divided into two groups as experimental and control groups. Experiment
Flavored abdominal massage and unflavored plain massage were applied to the patients in the group of patients for 5 days.
Patients in the control group did not participate in any massage therapy for comparison.
Results showed that patients who received aromatherapy massage evaluated constipation compared to others.
showed a decrease in scores and an increase in the frequency of mean bowel movements.
In short, the findings show that the aromatic massage group had better results than the plain massage group.
and the plain massage group had better results than the control group.
shows that.
Constipation can be considered a simple problem as it can affect a person on many levels.
should not be seen. Because constipation affects patients physically, mentally and socially at all levels.
It is an overall experience. Aromatherapy massage is safe and easy to learn.
is the application. To enable patients to develop good bowel habits, researchers
that family members can be trained to do regular abdominal massage at home
they state. Encouraging bowel movements with aromatic massage therapy is particularly advanced.
which should not be ignored in improving the quality of life of cancer patients
It should be an important habit.

SOURCE
Effectiveness of aroma massage on advanced cancer patients with constipation: A pilot
study, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice,2011