Bladder and Bowel Control Problems and Parkinson’s Disease

FACT SHEET

  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that is characterized by tremors, sluggishness, rigidity of muscles, impaired mobility, and difficulty sleeping.
  • Normally, the bladder is “off” and relaxed while filling with urine. When the bladder is full, the brain is alerted and when appropriate, the brain signals the bladder to turn “on” or contract to release urine.
  • Dopamine producing cells serve to hold the bladder switch “off” during storage and prevent it from contracting. In individuals with PD, loss of these cells can create “on and off” problems.
  • PD can contribute to bladder and bowel control problems, including:
    • Overactive bladder (bladder contractions that cause increased frequency of urination and sudden urgency),
    • Urge incontinence (sudden loss of urine as the result of overactive bladder),
    • Retention of urine,
    • Nocturia (waking up from nighttime sleeping to use the toilet),
    • Abdominal cramps,
    • Constipation
    • Bladder control in individuals with PD may be further complicated by an unrelated diagnosis such as enlarged prostate in men or incontinence due to urethral or pelvic muscle deficiency in women.
    • There are treatment options for bladder and bowel control problems ranging from dietary changes to medication. If treatment of incontinence is unsuccessful, focus needs to be on proper management.
    • The National Association For Continence (NAFC) is a national not-for-profit organization devoted to educating the public about the causes, treatment, and management of incontinence and related disorders.
    • NAFC has information specifically for people with PD in a booklet entitled, “Continence Care for Individuals Living With Parkinson’s Disease.” This booklet (priced at $9.95 including S&H) is written about treatment and management of incontinence for individuals and their caregivers, and offers tips on safe toileting and fall prevention.  To view a PowerPoint summary of the booklet or to download a sample chapter, visit http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/neurological-disorders-2/index.php?page=parkinson-s-disease.
    • Visit www.nafc.org or call 1-800-BLADDER (252-3337) to order the booklet or for more information from NAFC.