“ASK THE DOCTOR” WITH DR. REBECCA GILBERT
Q: I have trouble with my body temperature. I will be freezing, yet my wife doesn’t even feel cool. Is this due to my Parkinson’s disease?
A: Yes, poor temperature regulation can be a non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our bodies are programmed to keep our internal temperature at a near-constant point using very complex mechanisms. PD can unfortunately interfere with this regulation, and it can significantly affect quality of life when these mechanisms don’t work well. Without proper temperature regulation, a person may feel that they are too hot or too cold, or they may sweat too little or too much.
Although dysregulation of temperature is not as well-known as other non-motor symptoms in PD, such as constipation or sleep disorders, it is actually very common in people with PD. Unfortunately, there are no medications to treat this. For someone who is freezing when others are not, lifestyle modifications can help, including:
- Wearing warm clothing to help conserve heat. Your base layer should be snug-fitting and made of a moisture-wicking material (not cotton)
- Limiting time outdoors in cold temperatures
- Drinking hot beverages like tea
- Using hand warmers if gloves are not sufficient
Q: I have terrible constipation. Which medication works best?
A: Constipation is a very common non-motor symptom of PD, and thankfully, it is usually treatable. Start with lifestyle modifications, which include increasing your fluid intake and eating foods that contain fiber. Exercise is also vital to help the bowels move normally. If these steps are not enough, many different types of over-the-counter medications can help, including:
- Stool softeners such as Colace
- Stimulants such as senna
- Osmotic laxatives such as Miralax
- Lubricants such as mineral oil
If the over-the-counter medications don’t cut it, then talk with your doctor about trying a prescription medication for constipation.
Dr. Rebecca Gilbert is the Chief Mission Officer at APDA. She oversees APDA’s research portfolio in conjunction with APDA’s Scientific Advisory Board. She also provides medical and clinical expertise to support APDA programming, as well as print and web content.