There is a 'silent' symptom of Parkinson's disease that you may spot when using the toilet.
Parkinson's Disease is a condition impacting parts of the brain which become progressively damaged over many years. The neurological condition is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60.
Unfortunately, around 12,400 people have Parkinson's in Scotland, representing about one in every 375 adults, with the number growing, according to Parkinson's UK. There is currently no cure for the condition, but spotting symptoms early to allow a treatment plan to be put in place can be important to help maintain quality of life.
The most common symptom associated with the disease is a tremor but there is another 'silent' symptom that may be noticed when using the bathroom - constipation.
Difficulty using the toilet is common among people in the early stage of Parkinson's and may be spotted years before an official diagnosis, reports the Irish Mirror.
Parkinson's affects a person's movements, often making them slow and rigid. And the condition can do the same to the muscles in the bowel wall, meaning food is not moved along as easily, resulting in constipation.
The disease can also lead to muscle control problems, making it tricky for some sufferers to contract their abdominal muscles and relax their sphincter - with these movements required to pass stool.
Three main Parkinson's Disease symptoms
According to the NHS, the three main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:
- Involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor)
- Slow movement
- Stiff and inflexible muscles
A person with Parkinson's Disease can also experience a range of other physical and psychological symptoms, such as:
- Depression and anxiety
- Balance problems – this may increase the chance of a fall
- Loss of sense of smell anosmia
- Problems sleeping (insomnia)
- Memory problems
How is Parkinson's treated?
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, however, there are treatments available to help reduce the main symptoms and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.
Treatments include:
- supportive treatments – such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- medication
- in some cases, brain surgery
Treatment may not be needed during the early stages of Parkinson's disease. In the beginning, symptoms are usually mild, but become increasingly worse over time. Regular appointments with a specialist can help monitor the condition.
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