Stomach and Parkinson Disease

: Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:35 am Post subject: Stomach and Parkinson Disease

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Dear Doctor,

My brother is a PD patient. He is always complaining that he has heartburn (acid reflux). It is very common that many people have heartburn.

Why people with Parkinson's disease are especially prone to acid reflux?

Why is it a problem to PD patient?

How to avoid and control the acid reflux?

Dealing early with acid reflux can help you prevent such problems as pneumonia and hospitalizations later on.

Best regards

TEOKIMHOE

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Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD



Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 94
Location: www.nutritionucanlivewith.com
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject:

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Dear Teo,
The reason that people with PD so often develop heartburn and/or acid reflux is because PD can cause gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying). PD can affect the muscles that move the gastrointestinal tract, slowing them down.

In the stomach, this means that instead of food moving through at a normal pace, the stomach muscles move so slowly that the food remains inside for an abnormally long time. The food, mixed with stomach acid, can become very acidic, can create gas, and the upward pressure of the gas can cause the acidic contents to move upward, toward the esophagus, causing the feeling of heartburn.

If the acid content moves past the esophageal sphincter, into the throat, that is "acid reflux."
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Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD