Driving safely with Parkinson’s disease
UCI Health neurologist shares warning signs that warrant evaluation
IN THE NEWS: The ability to drive a car is a hallmark of independence.
When one has a degenerative movement disorder like Parkinson’s disease, it’s important to remain alert to any changes or difficulties with driving, UCI Health neurologist Dr. Nicolás M. Phielipp tells Everyday Health.
“Most people will do well for many years, as long as we address their symptoms. Sometimes it’s hard to realize when things have changed.”
Some changes Phielipp says those with Parkinson’s and their loved ones should watch out for include:
- Trouble turning the head
- Forgetting to check mirrors
- Feeling anxious, angry or stressed behind the wheel
- Slower reaction times
- Visual-spatial issues, such as hallucinations
Family and friends expressing concern is also a sign to get an evaluation.
Phielipp advises driving when medication is working best and avoiding it if you're drowsy.
Phielipp is a fellowship-trained neurologist who specializes in the care and treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease, dystonias, tremor, Huntington’s disease and other movement disorders. He sees patients at UCI Health Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Program.
Phielipp's research interests include the management of Parkinson's disease and task-specific dystonias, such as writer's cramp and musician's, golfer's or tennis player's dystonia. He also is interested in developing techniques to better diagnose Parkinson's disease, understanding the mechanisms involved in deep brain stimulation, and improving the diagnosis and management of movement disorders in general.
He also has participated in several research projects involving transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of mood and motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
To make an appointment, call 714-456-7720.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Health — Orange provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).