Dizziness is a sensation that can have many different causes and can be described in many different ways. The most common types of dizziness associated with Parkinson’s disease are dizziness caused by loss of balance and dizziness caused by a drop in blood pressure. Balance can be improved through physiotherapy. It is important to monitor drops in blood pressure, i.e. if your blood pressure drops significantly within 2 minutes of standing up from a lying position. If you feel faint in such situations, you may need medication to raise your blood pressure.
Shortness of breath, however, is not typical of Parkinson’s, and you should have your heart and lung function checked before concluding that it is due to Parkinson’s. Shortness of breath associated with missed doses has, however, been reported, and in such cases it improves when the medication is working at its best.
Dag Nyholm