Managing diet-related Parkinson’s symptoms
Parkinson’s can cause symptoms that affect your appetite and ability to eat and drink. Making some changes to what and how you eat and drink may help manage these symptoms.
On this page
Constipation and Parkinson's
Constipation is common in people with Parkinson’s. It can have many causes, including Parkinson’s symptoms, being less physically active, diet, and some medicines. Constipation may also affect how well some Parkinson’s medicines work.
Symptoms of constipation include:
- finding it hard to poo
- passing hard or lumpy poo
- not going as often as usual
- straining or pain when you poo.
What can help with constipation?
Eating enough fibre and drinking enough fluid can help make your poo softer and easier to pass. Try to increase fibre and fluid gradually.
Foods high in fibre include:
- wholegrain bread, rice, and pasta
- fruit and vegetables
- beans, lentils, and pulses
- nuts and seeds.
Some people with Parkinson’s find that probiotic-rich foods and drinks, which contain “good” bacteria, may help support gut health. These include
- yoghurt with live cultures
- kefir, a fermented milk drink.
If diet changes do not help, you may need medicine to help with constipation. Speak to your GP or Parkinson’s nurse for advice.
Read our information on looking after your bladder and bowels.
Low blood pressure and Parkinson's
Postural hypotension (also called orthostatic hypotension) is a type of low blood pressure that is common in people with Parkinson’s. It happens when your blood pressure drops when you stand up or suddenly change position.
Common symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- feeling dizzy or light-headed when you stand up
- feeling weak
- confusion
- blurring of vision.
What can help with low blood pressure?
It may help to:
- eat small, frequent meals
- drink cold water before you get up in the morning
- drink enough fluids during the day
- increase salt in your diet if advised by your GP or specialist
- limit alcohol, as it can make symptoms worse.
If you feel faint or have falls, speak to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse. They may review your medication or suggest other treatments.
Eating and swallowing problems
Some people with Parkinson’s may have difficulties with eating or swallowing. This can make having a meal harder.
You may:
- cough or choke when eating or drinking
- take longer to eat meals
- feel that food is stuck in your throat or chest
- bring food back up, sometimes through your nose.
Why is it important to get help?
Swallowing problems, also called dysphagia, can lead to:
- not eating or drinking enough
- losing weight
- dehydration
- food or drink going down into the airway (aspiration)
- worrying about eating and drinking because you’re afraid of choking.
If you have problems with swallowing, tell your GP or Parkinson’s nurse. They can refer you to speech and language therapy for an assessment.
Speech and language therapists support people with communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. They will assess how safely you swallow food and drinks. They can then suggest changes to make it easier and safer for you to meet your nutritional needs. You may also be referred to a dietitian if swallowing difficulties are affecting your ability to eat and drink enough.
Get this information in other formats
If you prefer to have something printed to read or want to download a PDF, choose an option below:
Thank you
Thank you to the health professionals that reviewed this information:
- Kinga Topolowska, Senior Specialist Neurosciences Dietitian, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Vanessa Jones, Specialist Dietitian (Parkinson’s and CASOP), University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Suzanne Filon, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Thanks also to our information review group and other people affected by Parkinson’s who provided feedback. Read more about joining our information review group.
This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]