Parkinson Secrets
Expert Tips and Interviews on Living with Parkinson's Disease
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Michael Okun Indu Subramanian Jonny Acheson

 

Preventing Parkinson from Stopping Your Success: Tips for Constipation

There are so many Parkinson's Treatment Tips and Secrets that can help, but this one is surprisingly one of the most commonly asked across all cultures.

Parkinson's Tips to Treat Constipation

Treatment Tips for Parkinson’s Constipation

  • Daily vigorous exercise as is possible
  • Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day  

Constipation Treatment Tricks if the above does not work:

  • Constipation is an alteration in stool frequency, consistency, and/or passage of stool
  • The normal pattern of bowel movements can and will vary 
  • A stool-voiding pattern of every day or every other day is optimalCauses

Diet – Fiber-rich foods:  bran, whole-grain breads – oat, rye, fruits, vegetables (leave peel on), whole-grain cereals, oatmeal, pasta, nuts, popcorn and brown rice.

Watch out for these Medications that may result in constipation-  narcotics, sedatives, antacids, antispasmodics, iron supplements

Daily recommended fiber intake:  20 – 30 grams

A Natural Daily Recipe for Constipation:

Miller’s (unprocessed wheat) Bran*        1 cup

Applesauce                                      ½ cup

Prune Juice                                      ½ cup

Mix and refrigerate.

Take 1 – 2 tablespoons daily for one week 

*Miller’s Bran is unprocessed wheat bran

Sprinkle bran on food to supplement fiber intake

Medications for Parkinson Constipation

Bulk producing:  Metamucil, Fibercom or Citrucel. Mix 1-2 Tablespoons in juice or water and take by mouth 1 to 2 times daily. This adds consistency or bulk to the stool and facilitates water retention in stool – must take adequate fluids by mouth to avoid causing constipation.

**Some docs avoid metamucil or psyllium as they slow the gut transit.

Stool Softeners:  Colace. Softens stool by facilitating the admixture of fat and water (detergent activity). Do not use with mineral oil. Take 1 tablet by mouth 1 to 2 times daily.

Combinations:  Pericolace. Mild stool softener and laxative combined. Take by mouth 1 to 2 times daily.

Irritant/Stimulant:  Products containing Senna. Laxative with direct action on the intestinal mucosa and the nervous plexus of the bowel.

Suppositories:  Glycerin, Dulcolax. Inserted rectally every other day or when needed. Stimulates the rectum and assists with evacuation.

There is a new FDA approved drug for Constipation called Amitiza.  There is one large randomized study of this drug in Parkinson's disease.

Michael Okun