Parkinson’s symptoms that can affect your hiking
Hiking can be a challenge for many people with Parkinson’s disease. Those symptoms just get in the way.
Of course, there are many, many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease – too many to list in this post.
But I’ve narrowed it to a few that can be especially troublesome when hiking.
See if any of these Parkinson’s symptoms are yours. And then learn how you might work through these Parkinson’s hiking challenges.
Hiking with Parkinson’s symptoms
Fatigue/lack of sleep
Of course, it’s important to be well-rested. Easier said than done. If you’re hoping for a good night’s sleep before a hike, it’s best that you find lodging a few notches up from a tent at a noisy campsite. Try a yurt, or go glamping.
It’s also to your advantage to go early. If you naturally get up early, it makes sense to get out on the trail while you still are fresh. There are fewer people out then, too — a nice bonus.
Slowness
The fancy term is “bradykinesia,” and most PD’ers have it to some degree. Set your own pace; slow steps shouldn’t be a problem when hiking. Unless you’ve misjudged the time and are going to be late to that four-course dinner planned after the trek.
Be sure to hike with patient people.
Tremors
Tremors certainly are irritating, even debilitating, and they affect most people’s fine motor movement, at least at first. Hiking uses large muscle groups, so tremors may not be as problematic on an outing as other Parkinson’s symptoms.
But, I find that stress can make tremors worse. So if you’re nervous about something while on the trail (bears? poison ivy? steep elevation?), you may experience those shakes while zipping a backpack or unwrapping a protein bar.
Balance
A couple of sturdy hiking poles does the trick for some people. I don’t use them a lot, but I know my day will come.
Freezing
Wear warm clothes. Just kidding, this isn’t about temperature.
Freezing of gait can be especially daunting on trails. Some people freeze when turning (there’s lots of turning on trails) and approaching small spaces (a lot of that, too).
This is a time when you can easily lose your balance and fall, so keep a partner nearby.
One way to get the feet moving again is to imagine stepping over a line. Or have a partner aim a laser pointer at the ground so you can step over the light.
Bladder frequency/diarrhea
This Parkinson’s symptom can be a problem in a store, at a picnic, anywhere where bathrooms are scarce.
Before a hike, check if bathrooms are available at the trailhead.
On your hike, if you have to “find a bush” to go behind, but don’t do what you see here.
Kindly bring a Ziploc bag to take your trash.
Constipation
On the other end of the waste spectrum, how many of us living with Parkinson’s deal with this symptom? I do, and I’ve read that up to 66% of you do, too. Even our intestines suffer from bradykinesia, or slowness.
There’s all kinds of good advice online for dealing with constipation, but don’t rely on just that. Talk to your health professional. But above all, drink lots of water.
Anxiety
Mental health challenges are a common Parkinson’s symptom. If you are feeling dread or expecting the worst, it might not be a good time for a hike. Talk to your medical team about possible medications, breathing techniques, or meditation routines that can ease those emotions.
On the other hand, though, outdoor therapy can do wonders for the psyche. I know that a picturesque vista from the top of a hill can soothe the soul. Know thyself.
Low blood pressure
Going from low (sitting or squatting) to high (standing) is when this can be troublesome. If you’ve felt dizzy in the past, use hiking poles or a strong person’s arm to help you up.
Dyskinesia
If you are prone to episodes of sudden, uncontrolled movements, choose wide, smooth trails with no side drop-offs and little elevation. Depending on how often you experience dyskinesia, you may want to keep a partner very near you at all times.
Foot cramps
These can cause problems for some people with Parkinson’s. I’ve been experiencing them at night, not on the trail. But they can hit any time.
When I feel a cramp in the arch of my foot coming on, this works for me: I flex my foot really hard, pulling my toes toward my face. Then I top it off with a quick foot massage.
Cognitive decline/memory loss
This one’s easy: Make sure someone is with you who is familiar with the trail, has a map, and knows what to do when lost.
Another Parkinson’s symptom is a declining of the ability to multitask. Again, hike with people who will patiently wait for you to tie your shoe or stop to take a picture.
Impulse control
Certain PD medications, called dopaminergics, can lead to addictive behavior (shopping, gambling, sex, eating, etc). While these are serious concerns, I have to ask myself:
Would an addiction to hiking be a bad thing?
I’d have to say no.
Can you offer advice?
When Parkinson’s symptoms rear their ugly shakes and pains, what works for you? Add a comment below.