Parkinson's disease is a long-term neurodegenerative disorder that causes significant movement problems, including the characteristic tremors in the limbs. Research has revealed that persistent constipation is one of the early signs of Parkinson's disease, which can begin up to a decade before the final diagnosis of the disease.
It is noteworthy that the first signs of the disease, including constipation, often appear between the ages of 50 and 60. Parkinson's disease may start in the gastrointestinal tract and spread through the vagus nerve, which connects the intestines to the brain. Dr. Elizabeth Svensson, the lead author of the study, states: "Patients with Parkinson's disease often experience constipation many years before their diagnosis, which may be an early sign of the connection between neurological pathology and the gastrointestinal system associated with the vagus nerve."
The study involved 14,833 individuals who underwent vagus nerve cutting surgery to treat ulcers. The results indicated that the risk of developing Parkinson's disease was reduced by half over a 20-year period following the procedure. Dr. Svensson added, "We conducted a registry study involving about 15,000 patients who underwent vagus nerve cutting in their stomachs between 1970 and 1995, and this medical procedure was a very common method for treating ulcers. If it is true that Parkinson's disease starts in the gastrointestinal tract and spreads via the vagus nerve, then these patients should be naturally protected from developing Parkinson's disease."
It is important to note that the cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown, although it is believed to occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
