“ASK THE DOCTOR” WITH DR. REBECCA GILBERT

Q: Can travel affect PD symptoms?

A:  Yes, in several ways. First, travel can be exhausting, especially when dealing with time changes — and that fatigue can make PD symptoms seem worse. In addition, timing of medication doses can be difficult to manage when you’re changing time zones and out of your regular routine, which can affect symptom management as well. Changes in food, altitude, and climate can all affect general well-being and as a result, impact PD symptoms. However, travel can be very rewarding and enjoyable — and with careful planning you can get the benefits of travel without the downsides.

Q: I have gastroparesis from my PD, which causes my abdominal pain. I have been told that the gastroparesis causes OFF time. How does that happen?

A: Gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying is a condition in which the stomach’s normal movements are slow. Gastroparesis can cause nausea, a bothersome sense of fullness, and abdominal pain. It can also cause medication doses to remain in the stomach instead of traveling to the small intestine where they are absorbed. In this way, gastroparesis can cause dose failures which lead to return of PD symptoms also known as OFF time.

Treatment of gastroparesis includes eating small frequent meals, drinking fluids during meals, avoiding fat in your diet, taking a walk after eating, and avoiding medications that can slow down the gut such as opioids. There are new prescription medications that can be tried to help gastroparesis, so ask your neurologist for a referral to a gastroenterologist.

Dr. Rebecca Gilbert is the Chief Scientific 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.