We loved seeing our friends and meeting new ones at the BGF Mix & Mingle gathering on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Being social is an important part of living well. We look forward to the next opportunity!

By Theresa Harczo, RN, Providence Brain and Spine Center, Portland, OR

Living in Oregon means living through four distinct seasons every year. Seasonal changes in temperature, sunlight, and activity can affect people with Parkinson’s in unique ways. Read on for tips to manage these changes and make the most of the summer months.

Be SUN responsible

• Sun exposure is great for improving your mood, regulating your sleep cycles and emotions, boosting your immune system, and more. (Source 1)
• Remember to protect yourself with options like SPF clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm.
• For Parkinson’s, sun exposure can be a natural way to support your mental health.

Beat the HEAT and HUMIDITY

• When temperatures and humidity levels rise, your body sweats more. Dehydration can lead to orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure upon sitting or standing up). Replace this loss with adequate hydration.
• Remember that hydrating foods can help! Many summer fruits and vegetables contain high water content. Avoid spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol to prevent complications of dehydration such as fatigue, confusion, urinary tract infections, etc.
• Parkinson’s can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature. Take cool showers and keep cool by visiting air-conditioned spaces like libraries, malls, and theaters.

Find the best time and place to EXERCISE

• Don’t stop your movement routine when the weather warms up! Try exercising in the morning or evening to avoid overheating.
• Air pollution is neurotoxic to the brain and can negatively affect dopamine. If air quality is poor due to smog or smoke, use indoor exercise facilities to remain active. (source 2)
• When enjoying shaded parks or other natural spaces, people with Parkinson’s should choose appropriate walking paths for their balance and mobility.

Plan ahead and stay flexible for VACATIONS and other TRAVEL

• Set yourself up for success by taking a vacation that matches your mobility and aligns with your interests. Consider requesting wheelchair transport between flights. Some airports offer free daisy lanyards which are recognized by airport staff in many countries that you may need some assistance. All to help improve your experience and return home with great memories!
• Bring essential medications and supplies in carry-on luggage and consider time changes when planning medication doses.
• Plans may change! Be aware that travel activities or climate conditions may change, which can affect your Parkinson’s symptoms. (Source 3)

Sources
1 https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/sunlight-and-parkinsons/
2 https://www.parkinson.org/blog/science-news/air-pollution#:~:text=Once%20in%20the%20brain%2C%20air,both%20classic%20signs%20of%20PD
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9847288/

In partnership with our Silver Partner

Throughout the month of August, we’ll be sharing experiences and advice from women living with Parkinson’s. Join the conversation and add your voice to the discussion!

Coming Up:

August 7, 2024: Profile of the “Parkinson’s Diva” Maria De León
Maria De León was a practicing movement disorder specialist when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We talk with her about her experience as a specialist and a patient. Visit our blog page on August 7!

August 14, 2024: Experiences of Women with Parkinson’s Disease Webcast
Amy Lavallee will moderate a panel discussion with Maria and Sree Sripathy about the unique experiences of women with Parkinson’s. Click HERE to register.

August 21, 2024: Tips from Women with Parkinson’s
Sharon Krischer started writing the blog “Twitchy Woman, My Adventures with Parkinson’s Disease” in 2015. She writes about living well with PD from the patient’s point of view in a positive, sometimes humorous way. She will share her wisdom and advice from some of the many women with PD she has connected with over the years. Visit our blog page on August 21!

Join the Conversation:
Submit your tips, comments, and questions to info@briangrant.org.
Join our Facebook group discuss at facebook.com/briangrantfoundation.
Read our articles and register for our August Wellness Webcast on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

In partnership with our Platinum Partner

Next week I’m traveling to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Brain and Environment Symposium. I’m part of a panel on water talking about my time at Camp LeJeune as a kid. You’ve probably heard about Camp LeJeune from the PD community or commercials on TV talking about the water on the base that was contaminated with TCE. I’d seen the commercials, too, but it wasn’t until Dr. Ray Dorsey read my autobiography and reached out to me that I learned that my time at Camp LeJeune may have contributed to my Parkinson’s diagnosis.

At first, I had a hard time understanding how something that had happened decades ago when I was just a kid could’ve led to my diagnosis. But as I started learning more from Ray, it was actually a relief to start finding some answers. Since I was diagnosed 16 years ago, I’ve struggled to understand how I got this disease, especially at such a young age, and often times blaming myself. And though I understand that my exposure to TCE at Camp LeJeune is likely only one of the contributing factors to my diagnosis, it’s been helpful to me to have any answers to how I got Parkinson’s and to have some reassurance that maybe this won’t happen to my kids.

When Ray asked if I would participate in the symposium, I was nervous and wanted to say no. The truth is I don’t know a lot about science and a symposium about the brain and the environment with researchers and policymakers is out of my comfort zone. But Ray reassured me that my role is to tell my story so that people understand why it’s important to stop using chemicals like TCE. He said that change only happens when people like me stand up and tell our stories. If I can play any role in helping future generations avoid getting diseases like Parkinson’s, I will. I hope you’ll join me.

To learn more about the Brain and Environment Symposium happening on Monday, May 20, 2024, visit brainandenvironment.org.

The Brian Grant Foundation is a proud partner of advocacy efforts that are working to ban or reduce environmental toxins linked to Parkinson’s disease. Here are some actions you can take today to join us in these efforts:

1. Read “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” and sign the pact at endingpd.org/resources.
2. Join PD Avengers, a global, patient-led advocacy organization working to end Parkinson’s at pdavengers.com.
3. Take action on policies that affect the Parkinson’s community by visiting the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council (led by The Michael J. Fox Foundation) at michaeljfox.org/contact-your-policymakers.

Brought to you by AbbVie, Amneal, CND Life Sciences, Providence Brain and Spine Institute, and StrivePD.

Our friend and Program Advisory Council member, Todd Vogt, was highlighted on KGW8. He earned a spot on the 2024 US Paralympic row team Mixed Double Sculls division. The 2024 Paralympic Games will be held in Paris on Sep 8, 2024. Watch party anyone?! Congratulations, Todd!