Parkinson's and the Gut; Constipation

Let's talk about one of the most common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease – constipation.

Constipation affects more than 80% of people living with Parkinson's disease. Like other non-motor symptoms, it often starts years before movement problems appear.

Why does this happen? 

Parkinson's affects the body's automatic functions – including slowing down the digestive system. Other factors also play a role: imbalance of bacteria in the gut, inflammation in the intestines, medications, and being less physically active.

Chronic constipation doesn't just cause discomfort and loss of appetite. Because the stomach empties more slowly, Parkinson's medications may take longer to be absorbed. This can make medications less effective and result in poor symptom control.

Managing constipation is crucial for improving quality of life with Parkinson's. Always work with your healthcare team to find the right approach, which might include:

·       Getting more physical activity

·       Adjusting your diet

·       Drinking more water

·       Changing medications if needed

In part 3 of Parkinson's and the Gut, we'll discuss how the gut absorbs Parkinson's medications.