Tips from an expert for traveling with Parkinson’s disease, part 1
Travel is already stressful enough, but Parkinson's can make it even more so
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First in a series.
Earlier in January, I wrote about Bryan Roberts, a member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council, and the ways he manages his Parkinson’s disease while traveling. This week, I’ll share part of an email conversation I had with Rachel Dolhun, the foundation’s principal medical adviser and a double-board-certified neurology and lifestyle medicine physician and movement disorder specialist. I wanted to better understand what people with Parkinson’s disease can do to mitigate the challenges of travel.
Travel is a common source of stress for most people. Dolhun said that those obstacles can become even more significant for people with Parkinson’s disease.
“Travel can be bumpy, whether you have Parkinson’s or not. The bumps, though, might feel a little bigger when you have Parkinson’s,” she said. “These could include unpredictability, like delays, long days, and missed meals; unfamiliar environments, like airports, foreign countries, or hotels, along with crowded places and uneven sidewalks; and schedule changes, which can lead to changes in eating times or available foods, exercise routines, and medication timing.”
My dad, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, has been telling me for many years that stress exacerbates his symptoms. He’s convinced that stress worsens his tremors and muscle tightness, something that Dolhun acknowledged.
“Stress can temporarily worsen Parkinson’s symptoms,” she said. “Take steps to control what you can: Make sure you’ve got medication refills, pack nutritious snacks, and give yourself extra time every step of the way.”
During a recent trip to Barcelona, Spain, I realized that one of my dad’s challenges was timing his medication around jet lag. In general, many people with Parkinson’s struggle with nighttime disruptions, so jet lag can be a big factor.
“Many people with Parkinson’s experience sleep changes. Adding jet lag on top of that can worsen both movement and nonmovement symptoms,” Dolhun said. “Feeling fatigued, whether with Parkinson’s or not, can make it harder to think clearly, make decisions, and just generally move through the day.”
There are ways to minimize the struggles that come with jet lag. “Try to get back on a regular schedule as soon as possible,” Dolhun suggested. “That might mean going to bed earlier or later than your body is used to, timing natural sunlight exposure to get your brain on a good sleep schedule — light first thing in the morning can help wake you up — and eating in ways that support sleep, such as avoiding large, carb-heavy meals close to bedtime.”
Dolhun recommended that travelers with Parkinson’s speak with their doctors ahead of the trip to discuss medication timing adjustments and whether supplements like melatonin might be a helpful tool for any sleep changes related to jet lag.
Next week, Dolhun shares her thoughts on travel services, mobile wheelchairs and walkers, and preventing falls while traveling with Parkinson’s disease.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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