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Parkinson’s lesser-known symptoms get spotlight

Healthcare workers attuned to the hidden bladder and bowel symptoms of Parkinsonā€™s are better able to help mitigate their added burden, andĀ peak bodies areĀ working to raise awareness.

Ahead of World Parkinsonā€™s Day, on April 11, the Continence Foundation of Australia is shining a light on the disease'sĀ often unseen and distressing symptoms.

Nearly 70,000 people in Australia are living with Parkinsonā€™s, according to a 2014 report from Deloitte Access Economics. This is an increase of 27 percent in nine years.

Parkinsonā€™s Victoria clinical nurse consultant Victor McConvey said continence management is one of the most confronting and difficult problems for people living with Parkinsonā€™s.

He said reduced peripheral dopamine production in the gut causes it to slow down, and added thatĀ constipation, which is further exacerbated by the personā€™s reduced mobility, is the most common difficulty experienced in Parkinsonā€™s.

McConvey said: ā€œProblems with constipation are a frequent subject for calls to the Parkinsonā€™s Information Line, and the second-most common reason someone with Parkinsonā€™s will present to a hospital emergency department.ā€

With good management, these difficulties can be overcome and the impact of the symptoms can be effectively reduced, he said.

The Continence Foundation of Australia and Parkinsonā€™s Australia produced an online video about the management of bladder and bowel difficulties for people with Parkinsonā€™s. View it below.

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