Constipation is linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

Vince · Sep 28, 2024

Yes, chronic constipation is linked to cognitive decline and dementia:

Cognitive decline

A study of over 100,000 adults found that those who had a bowel movement every three days or more had cognitive decline equivalent to three years of aging.

Dementia
Dementia patients with constipation had faster cognitive decline and brain white matter lesion expansion than those without constipation.

Gut bacteria
Studies have found that people with poor cognition have higher levels of certain "bad" bacteria in their gut, such as Alistipes and Pseudobutyrivibrio. These bacteria have been linked to anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Some possible reasons for the link between constipation and cognitive decline include:

Chronic inflammation

Constipation can cause a chronic inflammatory response that may worsen cognitive function.
Toxins
When waste isn't eliminated regularly, toxins can build up in the body and negatively impact health.

Constipation and Its Associated Factors among Patients with Dementia - PMC

Constipation is one of the most frequent non-motor problems in older adults. As constipation is commonly ignored by dementia patients, it is not usually reported on time. Constipation has a serious impact on the activity of daily living and quality ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Seagal · Sep 29, 2024

Vince said:
Constipation is linked to cognitive decline and dementia, but it's not clear if constipation causes dementia:

Constipation and dementia

Constipation is a symptom of some neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. In Parkinson's disease, constipation is the most common early symptom, and patients with constipation are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease dementia.

Didn't know that. Is this symptom always there?