Parkinson’s talk discusses
bladder and bowel issues

Are you constipated? You could have Parkinson’s

By Lisa Mintz

March 24, 2018

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder better known for its motor symptoms such as stiffness, slowness, walking problems and tremors. Few people are aware that the condition also includes several non-motor symptoms, any of which can manifest many years before a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“Many people notice they lose their sense of smell and taste as they get older. Others observe their handwriting changing and getting smaller. As well, many people suffer from constipation and sleep issues. Did you know these could be the early signs of Parkinson’s disease, and not just a normal part of aging?”, said Danielle Blain, Regional Director of Parkinson Canada in Quebec.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and to mark the occasion, Parkinson Canada and the Cummings Centre are presenting The Parkinson’s Bladder and Bowel on Tuesday, April 10 from 1 pm to 4 pm at Golf Dorval, 2000 Reverchon, Dorval.

Few people are aware that the condition also includes several non-motor symptoms, any of which can manifest many years before a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“This is not a topic people really want to talk about and they suffer in silence. We want to bring these issues out of the bathroom and into the light”, stated Blain.

Dr. Lysanne Campeau, Urologist at the Jewish General Hospital and Assistant Professor at McGill University, will discuss the overactive bladder in Parkinson’s disease. Her talk will be followed by an open discussion about constipation and Parkinson’s Disease with Dominique Longpré, Nutritionist-Dietician at EquipeNutrition.ca.

The Parkinson’s Bladder and Bowel
Tuesday, April 10 from 1 pm to 4 pm
Golf Dorval, 2000 Reverchon, Dorval.
Cost: $10 including light refreshments
To register and for more information call 514 734-1819 or infoQC@parkinson.ca

A few facts about Parkinson’s disease

One hundred thousand Canadians, including 25 000 Quebecers, live with Parkinson’s disease and one out of five is younger than 50 years of age. More than half of the people diagnosed with Parkinson’s will need formal or informal assistance for their daily living, while health care professionals from a dozen specialties may be needed to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Motor symptoms include: rigidity, slowness, posture and gait changes as well as tremors. There are about 20 possible non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, ranging form sleep disorders, depression and incontinence to speaking and swallowing difficulties.

About Parkinson Canada

Parkinson Canada is the national voice of Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease. From diagnosis to discovery, the organization provides education, advocacy and support services to people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers and health care professionals. The Parkinson Canada Research Program funds innovative research to search for better treatments and a cure. Parkinson Canada pursues a pan Canadian mandate while keeping regional specificities through its eight offices in Canada. The Quebec office is based in Montreal.