August 12, 2024 – Sharon Krischer was diagnosed with: Parkinson's disease In 2009, she noticed a tremor in her right foot. Her response to the diagnosis was determination – she decided to do whatever she could to live her life to the very best of her ability.
“It was crucial to educate myself on how Parkinson's affects women,” says Krischer, 72, a blogger and Parkinson's activist from Beverly Hills. She read all the things she could find online, although information on how the disease affects women was sparse.
“I also found it really important to find a peer group,” she said. “Talking to other women who have been diagnosed about what they've been through really helps.”
This is the crux of the matter, as Parkinson's is commonly viewed as a “man's disease.” Yet the impact on female patients is undeniable.
Men are literally diagnosed more often – 1.5 times more often. But an estimated 4 million women within the US live with Parkinson’s, in response to Data from Stanford University Medicine. These women often should cope with various complications of the disease. For example, a recent international study found that the disease often worsens more quickly in women and has a better mortality rate.
For each sexes, Parkinson begins This is resulting from the breakdown of nerve cells within the a part of the brain chargeable for movement.
“Parkinson’s disease is caused by a lack of Dopamine,” said Alice Flaherty, MD, PhDDirector of the Movement Disorders Fellowship Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. When these nerve cells die, they can no longer produce this important chemical. Once a patient loses 80% of their dopamine-producing brain cells, they begin to experience Parkinson's symptoms.
Parkinson's in women
Research published by the Cleveland Clinic found that menopause often worsens a woman's symptoms due to the loss of estrogen.
“estrogen can protect against the disease by reducing neuroinflammation,” said Daniel Kremens, MD, JDVice Chair for Neurology Education and Co-Director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
He identified that environmental aspects reminiscent of pesticides have also been linked to a better risk – although “this exposure is more likely to be associated with occupations traditionally held by men,” he said.
There can be growing evidence that head injuries – that are also more common in men – are related to a better risk of Parkinson’s disease. And men could have higher Alpha-Synucleina protein that could be involved in the event of Parkinson's disease than women, he said.
Because Parkinson's disease is more common in men, it may well be difficult for a girl to even know she has the disease.
“There can be delays in diagnosing Parkinson’s in women,” said Jori Fleisher, MD, MSCE, FAANMovement disorder neurologist and associate professor of neurology at Rush University in Chicago. “That's why it's so important to remember that you know your body better than anyone else. If something feels different, tell your doctor. If you don't hear appropriate concern from that doctor, you should definitely get a second opinion.”
Although symptoms of Parkinson's can vary from individual to individual, Kremens said tremors are more often the primary check in women. Women are also more prone to have balance problems, which might result in falls, he said.
Accordingly Data by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, women have restless legs as a symptom more often than men and can also more often develop reduced facial expressions.
Parkinson's treatment in women
The drug Levodopawhich is commonly used as a dopamine alternative to treat Parkinson's disease, “remains the gold standard,” Kremens said. However, women are at higher risk for levodopa-related complications reminiscent of dyskinesia, or involuntary, uncontrolled muscle movements, he said.
The Parkinson Foundation also points out that the drug can construct up in a girl's body because women are inclined to weigh lower than men, so it's vital to work along with your doctor to accurately adjust the dosage.
Another treatment option is Deep brain stimulationby which electrodes are implanted right into a patient's brain to interrupt the signals that cause Parkinson's symptoms.
“Deep brain stimulation, a very effective therapy for motor fluctuations, is performed more frequently in men than in women,” Kremens said, noting that that is despite the “fact that women who receive deep brain stimulation report greater improvement in their quality of life.”
If medications don’t give you the results you want or your symptoms worsen, be sure you ask your doctor about this selection.
Slowing down Parkinson’s symptoms
First and foremost, it's about exercise. In particular, high-intensity interval training or HIIT.
“We know that high-intensity interval training can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease,” said Flaherty. And new research from the Yale School of Medicine found that it may well even reverse the brain loss attributable to Parkinson's.
Even if intense cardio training isn't for you, lighter workouts can reduce the impact of early symptoms. A study A study by Japanese researchers found that straightforward physical activity reminiscent of each day walking, cycling and gardening can prevent Parkinson's symptoms for years.
Strategies for long-term care
Concern about emotional health is especially vital for ladies.
“Women report anxiety and depression more frequently than men,” Kremens said. “It is unclear whether this is directly related to Parkinson's disease itself or to other factors, such as the fact that women have less social support and are more likely to live alone than men.”
Therapy will be very helpful in relation to talking about your feelings related to a diagnosis.
And don’t try to administer your treatment alone.
“I think it's a very good idea for a woman with Parkinson's to bring a family member or friend with her to appointments,” Flaherty said. “Find a 'disease buddy' who can ask you questions you never thought of and who can watch for errors in information or treatment. Having you and your companion in the majority can actually lead to a better outcome.”
“If you're a single woman, it's important to find a care partner,” Fleisher said. If family or friends can't help, finding someone in your community will be an excellent option.
“Think about the future – what will you need? Who can best help you? Always give yourself as much support as possible,” she advised.
Krischer resides proof of the ability of receiving and giving this support. She founded the favored Parkinson's website Twitching womanwhich offers comprehensive peer support through webinars and one-on-one support, connecting newly diagnosed women with volunteer mentors living with the disease. Krischer is doing well medically and is keen about traveling the world together with her husband.
“My advice is to change your life only when necessary,” she said. “For example, if you're taking a yoga class that you enjoy, don't switch to an 'easier' class until you might need to. Your attitude is very important – don't give up. You can live well with this disease.”