Parkinson Disease Constipation: Causes & Treatments

Nervous System Mia Garnsey

Bulk-Forming Laxatives

Bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium (Metamucil), methylcellulose (Citrucel), and polycarbophil (FiberCon, Konsyl) can ease constipation. They work by absorbing liquid in the bowels to create a soft stool that’s easy to pass.

Bulk-forming laxatives can be gotten without a prescription from doctor. They’re generally safe, but it is best to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking them, as they can interfere with certain medications.

Stool Softeners

Stool softeners, such as docusate sodium (Laxacin, Peri-Colace, Senohot-S) and docusate calcium, are available over the counter. Similar to bulk-forming laxatives, they work by making stools softer and producing more liquid.

These are majorly just to treat short-term constipation, for example, while you wait for dietary and lifestyle changes to take effect. They’re not considered an effective long-term treatment.

Mia Garnsey May 9, 2022

You Might Also Enjoy

The 15 Best Foods to Relieve Constipation

Constipation is when a person finds it difficult to pass stool or has very few bowel movements. This condition may last only for a few days or up to several months depending on the cause. The leading cause of this health condition is a blockage, often due to a low ...

10 Symptoms of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a medical condition that involves the inflammation of pouches that can form in the intestines. [1] Please note that these pouches are called the diverticula. The diverticular is commonly found in the lower area of the colon (large intestine). Diverticulitis is common, especially after 40, and it causes ...

10 Remedies for Constipation

Constipation is marked by slow bowel movements and hard stools that can be difficult or even painful to pass. If you are constipated, you may have fewer than three bowel movements per week. This condition affects approximately 20 percent [1] of people living in the United States. You may become ...

Why is My Stomach Bloated?

Overview Bloating is a simple term commonly used to refer to the distention of one’s abdomen. Almost everyone has had that feeling of being full at one time in their life. Sometimes it is caused by eating too much, while at other times, a different factor may be the underlying ...

8 Main Causes of Constipation

Constipation is a health condition when a person passes less than three bowel movements weekly or experiences painful bowel movements. A constipated person has a tough time defecating, or it happens less often than normal. The major cause of this health condition is a blockage, often due to a low ...

8 Common Foods That Cause Constipation

Constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements per week. This definition however is dependent on the normal bowel movement of an individual, their feeding pattern, and so on. The main focus is that the person does not pass feces as normal. Constipation [1] is a very common ...

Diverticulosis Meal Plans – Foods to Eat and Avoid

Diverticulosis, also known as diverticular disease, is a condition [1] where small bulging pouches appear in the digestive tract. Persons above the age of forty are at the most risk of developing this condition compared to younger people. This is because, as you get older, the colon becomes weaker and ...

Common Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia

A hernia occurs when a rupture in smooth muscle tissue allows a body part to protrude into another organ or space. In the case of a hiatal hernia, the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the large muscle separating the chest and abdomen that ...

Archives

Categories

Meta