PARKINSON’S disease is a condition that causes parts of a person’s brain to slowly become damaged over many years.
There are a few symptoms that might spring to mind, such as involuntary shaking, slow movements and stiff, inflexible muscles.
Constipation can be an unlikely sign of Parkinson’s
But the disease can cause over 40 symptoms – according to charity Parkinson’s UK – which can change day-to-day and vary greatly between people.
One symptom you might not expect to be caused by Parkinson’s is constipation, i.e. difficulty having a poo.
Constipation can actually be pretty common in people who suffer from the disease and there are a number of reasons for this.
Other Parkinson’s symptoms could be at the root of it – the disease can make your movements slower and your body more rigid, making it harder to move around or exercise.
Parkinson’s UK said a lack of physical activity can mean your bowel doesn’t get stimulated in the way it needs to for you to be able to pass a poo.
The disease can also affect muscles in different parts of your body, and it can become for difficult for you to contract your abdominal muscles and relax your anal sphincter at the right time when you’re trying to poop.
According to Medical News Today, Parkinson’s can lead to dopamine deficiency.
This is a neurotransmitter that’s involved in muscle movement and helping the digestive system function – lack of it can make a person’s digestive system slow down or function inefficiently, resulting in constipation.
And the longer stool remains in your body, the dryer it will get, as more fluid is reabsorbed in your bowel wall. If your poo is dry, it’ll be even harder to pass.
Certain medications can also make going for a number two worse – these could be your Parkinson’s drugs or they could be antidepressants or prescription painkillers.
If that wasn’t enough to deal with in the first place, constipation often means your body isn’t able to absorb your Parkinson’s medication properly, which can lead to your symptoms getting worse.
What can I do to avoid constipation if I have Parkinson’s?
According to the NHS, it’s likely you’re constipated if:
you’ve unsuccessfully tried to have a poo at least three times in the last week. the poo is often large and dry, hard or lumpyyou are straining or in pain when you have a poo
It can can have unpleasant consequences if severe, causing you tummy pain, nausea and bloating.
But there are a few things you can do to get things in your bowels moving a bit better.
Firstly, try eating more fibre. You can incorporate this in your diet with breakfast cereal containing wheat, wheat bran or oats, well as veggies like beans, peas and lentils, and fruit, either fresh or stewed.
Prunes and oranges are high fibre fruits.
Some people with Parkinson’s have problems chewing and swallowing, which can make it difficult to eat a diet with plenty of fibre. Parkinson’s UK recommended opting for drinks which are high in fibre, or asking your GP or specialist for a referral to a speech and language therapist.
It’s also important you’re drinking plenty of fluids to help you poop, the charity said, such as water and fruit juice.
Physical activity can stimulate your bowels and get things moving. If you have difficulty with this due to your Parkinson’s symptoms, a physiotherapist might be able to give you some advice about what’s suitable for you.
What are other early signs of Parkinson’s?
Aside from tremors and stiff and cramping muscles – also called dystonia – there are a few other symptoms that might indicate you’re in the early stages of the condition.
Medics in Lithuania have even said you might be able to hear one of the first signs of Parkinson’s.