It is spring 2026, and in the States and other places in the Northern Hemisphere many of you have been facing extreme heat. This is weeks in advance of summer. Exposure to the heat and humidity causes Parkinson’s symptoms to look worse. Keep your faith and defeat the fear…you ARE NOT getting worse!
The hot weather
You need to realize that you are impacted by weather. Moreover, Parkinson’s sufferers in the Northern Hemisphere have been impacted in a harsh way during these last couple of weeks coming into summer.
Additionally, if you look in the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®, in cause number 2, you will see that heat agitates wind. Finally, this means that internal heat makes you have larger tremors and internal heat causes a worse-looking set of other symptoms.
You are not getting worse
As a result of the record hot weather in the Northern Hemisphere, people are experiencing dizziness and fatigue. Also, the difficulty with staying hydrated has caused increases in tremors and slowness. The body is using extra energy to stay mobile. Moreover, the Parkinson’s body was low on energy to begin with, so when the body is needing more energy to stay mobile, you will suffer with increased symptoms.
However, this does not equate to you getting worse with Parkinson’s. It equates to a body adjusting its energy for comfort and survival. In the Northern Hemisphere, the body needs a certain amount of water to stay hydrated and to use perspiration to regulate body temperature, and it is prioritizing its energy. That’s all!
Things to know about hydration
The Parkinson’s body is moving very slowly inside, and the hot weather exacerbates the situation. Recuperating from the effects of extreme weather takes time.
1. You need to stay hydrated.
2. Even sitting inside in the air conditioning still has you exposed to the extreme heat. Think about it. If you turned off your air conditioner, your home would get very hot. Even though the air conditioning cools your skin, the heat has permeated your body. You need to stay hydrated.
3. Do not wait until you are thirsty to begin to drink water. Your body already is heating up inside, so stay ahead of the heat and stay hydrated.
Click here for some assistance in staying hydrated.
Understanding the Parkinson’s body
For example, when I had Parkinson’s, here is how I realized how slowly my body was moving inside. One evening, Sally and I had roasted beets with our dinner. The next morning, Sally reminded me that beets will bring a reddish color into urine and bowels, so not to be afraid if I saw red in my urine or bowels.
In contrast to Sally, it was three and four days later that there was a reddish color in my urine and bowels. After my full recovery, the reddish color from the beets would appear the same day or the next day.
I offer this story so you can understand that heat has built up inside of you and exacerbated the symptoms. By the time the symptoms appear worse, the heat already had taken hold of you on the inside, but it had taken a number of days to appear as worse-looking symptoms.
Drinking plenty of water and eating cooling foods (you can go on Google and look up cooling foods) will start the process of cooling you down.
You are using more energy
Since you may be behind on hydrating for the heat, and the body is moving slowly inside, it will take some time to catch up to the heat with hydration. Plus, getting and staying cooler will use a lot of extra energy.
It is the same as what is happening in your home — if you are using the air conditioner more than usual because of extreme temperatures, you are using more electricity, and you will get a higher electric bill next month. Why? Because you are using more energy. The body will become fatigued as it does not have excess energy to use for body temperature regulation. That’s it.
Doing your best
As you have been struggling, it is important to know that your best is good enough. Not only do you need to know this, but you need to know that each day “your best” will be different than the day before. Don’t judge or criticize yourself…just do your best. And, let your faith defeat the fear.
Be strong. We will get through these extreme temperatures together.
Here is a way to approach the situation and help your recovery: Every time you see an increased symptom, announce to the symptom, “This is caused by the extreme heat. It is not caused by Parkinson’s getting worse.” Blame the heat. Additionally, blame the heat again. FINALLY, DO NOT blame the Parkinson’s. You are getting better!
Take good care of yourself
Heat can cause health related issues, so please take good care of yourself. Click here for a brief explanation from the Mayo Clinic.
Finally, for those of you who have not been impacted by extreme heat, we are weeks in advance of summer, so please take good care of yourselves and make certain to stay hydrated. Summer is coming, and you never know what heat is right around the corner.
How are you doing with the extreme heat?
Please post a comment and let us know how you are impacted and what you are doing to stay cool.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Whilst I reside in Scotland (a country not known for its weather) it has been warmer this last week, and I have noticed an increase in symptoms and poor sleep. All resulting in an increased exhausted feeling and general tiredness.
Thank you Howard, for your well timed message.
I live in the UK and we have had some very hot days this week. It definitely makes you feel more lethargic and I did find I struggled more but I just did what I could manage and stayed calm and peaceful. We get through the hard days with faith and positivity.
Thanks Howard
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Howard, for this explanation. You will remember the heat and humidity in Florida. Spring is short, summer is long.
I was wondering what was happening when walking became such a chore and it’s been so much easier in the past months. Now I understand. I’ll be drinking more water, and I am sure it will help.
We all appreciate you.
Last evening I was at my grandson’s baseball game. It was about 80 degrees F (26 degrees C). I noticed that my tremors were greater than they typically are. I needed to hydrate and did not realize it at that time. When I got home, I drank plenty of water. I also drank some coconut water for the electrolytes. The results were not immediate, but I began to feel better.
Thank you for the timely reminder Howard.
No extreme heat here yet but it’s coming.
Thank you Howard for this great reminder going into
the warmer months. I’ll be doing my best and not blaming the
Parkinson’s! I am getting better!
I am worth it…we are worth it!!!!