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Creativity and PD

Oct 27, 2022

PARKINSON’S AND CREATIVITY: A SURPRISING SIDE EFFECT

From World Parkinson's Congress blog https://www.worldpdcongress.org/home/2022/10/17/parkinsons-and-creativity-a-surprising-side-effect

We all search for silver linings to offset our losses, whatever they may be. With PD, I have found quite a few: friendships with people I most likely wouldn’t have gotten to know; an appreciation for tenacity in the face of disease; more acceptance of others with afflictions; and to my surprise, enhanced creativity. PD can lead us to more openness and experimentation, two qualities that are required for living a creative and engaged life. This may be due to changes in the brain brought on by the disease itself, changes brought on by the medications used to treat it, the influence of the experience of living with the disease, or a combination of all three.

The awakening of artistic creativity and Parkinson's disease

Despite the prominent loss of motor skills, artistic capacities remain preserved in Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, artistic creativity may emerge in art-naïve PD patients treated with levodopa and dopamine agonists.

PD, sweating and temperature regulation

Sep 24, 2022

What some experts say about PD and body temperature regulation.

I turned on the furnace to heat the house this morning for the first time this season. I started to think about the times I felt too hot or too cold. My feet are too hot AND too cold with minutes between changing. Maybe I am just anticipating a beautiful Fall and a few months in Florida this winter.

PD is a disease that usually has a slow progression of symptoms. If you see rapid changes in your health the cause is probably not PD, seek advice from a doctor.

Stanford Med School

People with Parkinson's experience changes to the autonomic nervous system, which controls sweating. While sweating controls temperature regulation, too much or too little sweating can result in feeling overheated. Here are some resources to understand sweating and temperature regulation, and how to cope with it.

https://med.stanford.edu/parkinsons/symptoms-PD/sweating.html

Parkinson’s UK

Skin and Sweating Problems in Parkinson’s

Sweating too little Some people with Parkinson’s may not sweat enough, which is caused by a condition known as hypohidrosis. This may be a side-effect of anticholinergics, a type of medication used to treat Parkinson’s. Lack of sweating may affect parts, or all of the body. Sweating is normal and helps your body regulate its temperature. If you sweat very little or not at all, particularly when it is hot or when you feel hot, speak to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse. This is because a lack of sweating, or reduced ability to sweat, may put you at risk of over-heating.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-10/FS40%20Skin%20and%20sweating%20problems%20in%20Parkinson%27s_WEB.pdf

Too Little Sweating

Some people with PD perspire too little. This can be related to the disease itself, or it can be a side effect of anticholinergic medications (such as trihexyphenidyl and benztropine for PD; or certain antidepressants, sleep or allergy medications). Sweating is important because it is the body’s natural mechanism for cooling. If you exercise or live in a warm climate, this is especially important.

If you experience too little sweating, decreasing the dose of anticholinergic medications — always under the supervision of your doctor — may help.

https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/symptoms/non-movement-symptoms/skin

What some experts say: Driving and PD

Sep 15, 2022

How Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Affect Driving Skills

Tips for People With Parkinson’s Disease

Tips for Families and Caregivers

How to Ease the Transition