WOMEN TEND TO MISS ALMOST HALF THEIR MENOPAUSE-RELATED HOT FLASHES AND MEMORY DIFFICULTIES
July 1st, 2008
Women tend to miss almost half their menopause-related hot flashes, which are associated with memory difficulties, according to a University of Illinois at Chicago study that included 29 women with moderate to severe hot flashes.
The study participants wore monitors that measured skin temperature changes during a hot flash. Both subjective (self-reported) and objective (monitor-detected) hot flashes were recorded over 24 hours. The average number of objective hot flashes was 19.5 per day, about 40 percent more than were reported by the women.
Previous studies indicate that about 40 percent of middle-aged women report forgetfulness. The researchers also measured the women’s memory. “When we looked at the relationship between the hot flashes that the women truly had — that is, the hot flashes that the monitor picked up — and memory performance on the cognitive tests, we found a very strong relationship. So, the more true hot flashes a woman had, the worse her memory performance,” said lead author Pauline Maki, an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology.
“In other words, the hot flash-memory relationship is not all in a woman’s head. It’s actually a physiological relationship that you can pick up on, if you measure hot flashes objectively with a monitor,” said Maki.
The researchers also noted a link between the total number of hours of sleep and memory performance the next day. “The total number of hours slept predicted memory performance, but also the total number of hot flashes during the night when a woman was sleeping predicted memory dysfunction,” Maki said. “So, the two together worsen memory in women the next day.”
She said the findings suggest that treating vasomotor symptoms in women with hot flashes may improve their memory. The study was published online in Menopause.
Menopausal symptoms can also be effectively treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. The cause of the symptoms associated with menopause is often the slowing of the flow of yin (Chinese concept of the cooling, moist element within the body). Kidney yin deficiency results in overactive yang (hot, dry element) and produces the menopausal symptom complex of hot flashes, night sweats, delayed menstruation, hair loss, dryness, mood swings, and insomnia.
TCM treatment may include a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, dietary suggestions, and/or specific exercises that enhance vitality/qi flow (qigong, tai chi) and reduce the fatigue associated with energy imbalance. Acupuncture treatment regulates unstable hormone levels during menopause, balances qi and strengthens internal organ systems. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may be used in conjunction to reestablish the balance between yin and yang by increasing yin. Once the yin or cold, moist component is strengthened, the individual experiences fewer hot flashes, night sweats, dryness, and other menopausal symptoms.
For more information about acupuncture for treatment of menopausal symptoms call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.
One Response to “WOMEN TEND TO MISS ALMOST HALF THEIR MENOPAUSE-RELATED HOT FLASHES AND MEMORY DIFFICULTIES”
1Timotha
August 28th, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Timotha…
When you do the right thing, enjoy it! When you take positive actions, enjoy them. After all, they are leading you toward positive results. Pat yourself on the back. Truly enjoy the fact that you’re making positive progress, and the negative temptatio…
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