Weather and geography for PwP

[idahostate]

Just wondering if anyone has any preference for weather type when dealing with Parkinson's.

As for myself high heat and humidity really get to me. Sometimes I think of moving to a more dry arid or semi-arid climate. What is your preference between hot and cold weather?

Also what would your preference be between living at sea level versus a higher altitude like say between 2000 and 5000 feet above sea level for PwP?

I would be interested in your responses as to whether you like cold or warmer climates, and if altitude plays any role with you dealing with Parkinsons.

Thank you

[Esperanto]

Seems like a rather personal experience to me. What can be comfortable for one person may not be suitable for another. I myself have never been a fan of cold and winter sports were not for me, but that has gotten much worse in recent years. Never had any problems with extreme heat although I feel that's not good for me now. It, like cold, takes too much energy. Seems pretty common to me with PD that extreme temperatures can worsen symptoms. We usually benefit more from a mild and moderate climate. In addition, low humidity can also cause problems such as dry skin and breathing problems. This article from APDA contains some more background information: How Geography, high altitude and cold weather can play a role

apdaparkinson.org/article/h...

[LindaP50 in reply to Esperanto]

My husband has a hard time with heat and humidity. Age could be a factor, he's 84yo 1/2. Gets fatigued. Make sure he's drinking plenty of liquids, a Gatorade, body temp stays cool perhaps with a mid-day shower, and I take a UTI sample when he has a hard time walking. Don't want him going to hospital due to a UTI!!!

We live in upstate NY in the mountains. A lake is 2 miles from our home and our elevation is higher than the lake area - we are up a small mountain. Temps are cooler. Years ago we didn't have much humidity but with the climate change, we now experience many humid days. Neither of us could live in Florida.

[idahostate in reply to LindaP50]

Thanks LindaP50 for your reply. I live in the southeast and for the past few weeks we have had heat indexes in the 100's. The humidity really saps the energy from you. I think I have to move to a higher altitude with a little cooler temps. Florida is nice January till March but then it is too crowded and expensive during those months.

[idahostate in reply to Esperanto]

Thanks Esperanto for the article . Looks like extreme hot and cold isn't good for PD, but interesting that they said higher altitudes can sometimes lessen the symptoms of PD

[jimcaster]

Michael J. Fox found it beneficial to be in a high altitude. Here is an interesting article about that.

highaltitudehealth.com/2019...

[idahostate in reply to jimcaster]

Thanks jimcaster. A very interesting article . I went to college many years ago in Idaho at 5000 ft above sea level. Maybe I should of stayed there. Ha!! I should take a trip out there to see if it does anything to my symptoms.

[Doohat]

I used to live in Florida but now I live in the mountains of western North Carolina at an elevation of about 2200 ft. The cold winters is what aggravates my symptoms the most which is usually peripheral neuropathy related. I get cold hands & feet (raynaud's) easily and my skin turns puffy and red/sometimes itchy. Doesn't go away until spring. Never had the problem in Florida. The climate there is okay as long as you live close to the ocean where the prevailing winds keep the heat and the humidity at a tolerable level. Definitely no worries about it getting too cold.

[idahostate in reply to Doohat]

Thanks for the reply Doohat. I guess that extremes of either hot or cold aren't very good for PD symptoms . Got to find the eternal springtime weather , 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees celsius . Ha!