Gastrointestinal problems can be part of Parkinson's Disease (PD). A common problem is constipation, which can pre-date motor symptoms by decades. Another problem is gastroparesis. Here are some resources to understand gastrointestinal problems (including constipation) and how to treat them.
Downloadable Documents | Online Articles | Podcasts & Webinars | Expert-level Resources
Bowel Management in MSA
Published by MSA Trust, July 2015
This eight-page fact sheet (PDF) addresses constipation specifically in Multiple System Atrophy, but the impairment of the autonomic nervous system is similar enough to Parkinson’s disease as to be useful here. There is a nine-point list of contributors to constipation, other problems that can occur due to bowel problems, management tips, and medication options.
Bowel Management Program
Published by Parkinson Society BC
While the best way to deal with constipation is to prevent it, this two-page fact sheet (PDF) shares tips and tricks to get things moving when you experience constipation, including recipes, when and how to administer an enema, and more.
Constipation & Parkinson's Disease
Published by the American Parkinson Disease Association, May 2022
This two-page fact sheet shares diet and lifestyle changes to improve constipation, as well as supplements and medications than can help.
En Español, 4 pages: Constipación y enfermedad de Parkinson, 2017
Constipation & Parkinson's Disease
By Mary L. Wagner, Robert S. Jenco, and Aksh K. Sharma. Published by the American Parkinson Disease Association, August 2015
This four-page educational supplement (PDF) addresses causes of constipation, exercise and physical activity, dietary habits, medication that can cause or worsen constipation, change in lifestyle, and medication to treat constipation.
En Español: Constipación y enfermedad de Parkinson, Noviembre 2015
Constipation and Other Gastrointestinal Problems in PD
By Jean S. MacFadyen, PhD, RN, and Gwyn M. Vernon, MSN, CRNP. Published by the Parkinson's Foundation, 2020
This eight-page document (PDF) discusses gastroparesis plus the prevention and management of constipation (including a list of oral laxatives, safety and health precautions). And offers a constipation tracker chart.
Constipation in Parkinson's Disease
Published by the San Francisco Parkinson's Disease Research, Education & Clinical Center (PADRECC)
This single page shares the lifestyle, pharmaceutical, and physical interventions used at each stage of Parkinson's Disease (PD) to treat constipation so that patients require the use of laxatives or enemas less frequently and do not feel uncomfortable.
Looking After Your Bladder and Bowels
Published by Parkinson's UK, March 2020
This 44-page document (PDF) discusses healthy bladder and bowel functioning, bladder and bowel problems common in those with Parkinson's Disease (PD) as well as helpful products, equipment, and treatment for urinary incontinence, lifestyle change to prevent bowel problems (constipation), and tips for making it easier to go to the toilet (toilet adaptations, handrails, clothing, etc.)
Constipation
Published by the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health
This page, written for hosp doctors, describes the prevalence of constipation in the general population, the diagnostic criteria for constipation, types of functional constipation, secondary causes of constipation, the evaluation process, treatment steps for primary constipation, a list of laxative agents, and when to refer to a gastroenterologist. Includes a reference list.
Constipation and Dietary Needs
Published by the University of California School of Medicine, Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center
This page discusses what constipation is and why is occurs so frequently with Parkinson’s, why it is a cause for concern, and how it can be controlled.
Constipation and Nausea
Published by the Parkinson's Foundation
This online article notes that the same brain changes in PD that cause stiffness and slow movement also affect the muscles involved in swallowing and in pushing food through the digestive system. The article describes the factors that contribute to constipation, how to avoid constipation, and nausea.
Everything You Should Know About Parkinson’s Disease and Constipation
By Carly Vandergriendt. Published by Healthline, July 26, 2021
This page provides the symptoms and frequency of constipation in Parkinson’s disease, several ways in which Parkinson’s affects the digestive system, other causes of constipation, treatment of Parkinson’s-related constipation, when to seek help, and how to prevent constipation.
Gastroparesis in PD - Symptoms & Treatment Options
By Maria De León, MD. Published by defeatparkinsons.com, July 19, 2016
This blog post describes gastroparesis as the slow emptying of food from the stomach to intestines. This poor motility can cause several unpleasant symptoms, and serious complications. Medications commonly used in PD can cause and worsen the problem. The author outlines the steps to diagnosis and several treatment options.
Parkinson’s Disease and Constipation
Published by the Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia, Better Health Channel
This information about constipation in Parkinson’s disease outlines symptoms, causes, complications when chronic, diagnosis, and treatment, including good toilet habits and when to urgently see your doctor.
Parkinson’s Treatment Tips for Constipation
Published by the University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, September 12, 2011
This page outlines the causes of constipation in Parkinson’s disease and recommendations to prevent it. Resources includes a natural recipe to increase fiber intake, a regimen for bowel clean out, and a list of medication options if exercise, hydration and fiber are insufficient.
Constipation and Parkinson's
By Parkinson Canada, May 31, 2023
After a 5-minute presentation from the Parkinson Canada CEO, a person with Parkinson's Disease (PD) shares his experience with urinary incontinence. 15-minutes into the recording a movement disorders specialist discusses why the bladder and bowel become dysfunctional in PD and shares tips and tricks for copping with incontinence and constipation.
Constipation and Parkinson's
By the Brian Grant Foundation, October, 2024
In the first part of this 1-hour webinar a registered dietician discusses the roles of fiber, hydration, and magnesium in preventing constipation. In the second part, a physical therapist (PT) who specializes in the pelvic floor shares some tips and exercises that can help improve sleep. She also describes how to do bowel massage, move, stretch, exercise, and position on the toilet to help move stool through and out. Finally, the PT shares nerve stimulation therapies that can be done to stimulate bowel motility.
Constipation and the Gut in Parkinson's
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, September 29, 2021
One of the effects Parkinson’s has on the autonomic nervous system seems to be the slowing of food through the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in constipation (fewer than three bowel movements per week). As many as 80% of people with PD have constipaiton. In this 1-hour webinar Cherian Karunapuzha, MD, shares how you can best manage your bowel and urinary symptoms to live well with Parkinson’s.
Gut, Brain & PD
By the University of Colorado Movement Disorder Center, September 30, 2021
In this 28-minute talk, part of the University of Colorado Movement Disorder Center's 8th Annual Parkinson's Disease Symposium, movement disorders specialist Trevor Hawkins, MD, reviewed the pathways involved in the gut-brain axis, discussed the potential interactions of the gut-brain axis in PD, and reviewed the state of treatment for gut issues in PD.
Parkinson's and the Gut
By Parkinson's Community Los Angeles (PCLA), March 3, 2022
In this one-hour webinar a neuro-gastroenterologist begins by briefly explaining the connection between the gut and brain before getting into the causes and treatments of constipation, diarrhea/fecal incontinence, bloating, weight loss/malnutrition, poor absorbtion of medications, heartburn/reflux, and difficulty swallowing.
Symptoms Beneath the Surface — Incontinence & Constipation in Parkinson's disease
By the Parkinson's Foundation, October 26, 2020
This webinar begins with a 10-minute yoga practice to promote bowel motility, followed by a 30-minute talk by a movement disorders specialist on constipation in Parkinson's. The doctor explains how diet and constipation can interfere with the effectiveness of levodopa absorbtion and shares several lifestyle and medication management recommendations, including recipes for high-fiber boosts to add to your regular diet, and a 'poop tracker' app. Finally, he discusses other issues in gut health before spending 15-minutes on urinary health and PD, followed by questions.
What's Going On In My Gut - GI Issues and Parkinson's
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, June 18, 2013
In this 30-minute talk Leslie Cloud, MD, MSc explains the underlying causes, lifestyle tips, and treatment options for drooling, swallowing issues, nausea, slow stomach emptying, constipation, difficulty defecating. She alto explained the complex interplay between Parkinson's motor medications and GI symptoms before answering questions.
When Parkinson’s Interferes with Gastrointestinal Function
By the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (Now the Parkinson's Foundation), June 24, 2014
This 63-minute audio with slides by Dr. Peter A. LeWitt discusses the effect of Parkinson’s disease on the gastrointestinal system, with particular focus on constipation. Improving GI function can have a positive impact on the consistency of benefit from Parkinson’s disease medications. Highlights of recent research into Parkinson’s disease originating in the GI tract, developing biomarkers for early diagnosis, and others.
Presenter's slides
Why Might Constipation be a Parkinson's Symptom?
By the Michael J. Fox Foundation Third Thursdays Webinar Series, July 16, 2015
This 62-minute audio with slides is presented as an interview of two neurologists and explains how the gastrointestinal musculature (stomach, intestines and anal sphincter) is well enervated and, therefore, affected by the loss of dopamine and deposits of alpha synuclein, just as the brain is. Management options are discussed, and recent research into the microbiome and the gut/brain connection in Parkinson’s disease. [Registration is required, but is free.]
Parkinson’s Disease and the Gut: Treatment Potential Abounds
By Nicola Davies. Published by Neurology Advisor, September 10, 2018
Constipation is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may precede onset of motor symptoms by as long as two decades. This article explores the Parkinson’s-gut link and therapies targeting the gut that may relieve more than just gastrointestinal dysfunction and constipation.
Last updated October 2024 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.
