Hot flashes timing may indicate risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Hot flashes timing may indicate risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Hot Flashes during Menopause: A Wake-Up Call for Brain Health
Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the most bothersome symptoms for women going through menopause. However, a new study suggests that these symptoms may be more than just a nuisance – they may actually indicate a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease. And the more hot flashes a woman experiences during sleep, the greater her risk for developing Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia.
According to Rebecca Thurston, the director of the Women’s Biobehavioral Health Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, women with nighttime hot flashes should see them as a wake-up call to take care of their health. This includes ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, moderating alcohol use, treating any high blood pressure and diabetes, and addressing any mental health conditions.
Previous research has already shown that hot flashes, particularly those that occur during sleep, may be linked to memory problems and small vessel disease in the brain. In this new study, the researchers took it a step further by connecting hot flashes to blood biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that women who experienced more hot flashes during sleep had higher markers of amyloid, a component associated with the biology of Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers conducted the study on nearly 250 older women, monitoring their hot flashes throughout the day and during sleep. They also analyzed blood samples for specific markers of Alzheimer’s disease, including amyloid ß (Aß) 42/40 ratio. The results showed that women with more hot flashes during sleep were more likely to have a low/abnormal Aß 42/40 range, which is a strong marker of Alzheimer’s disease and can be detected early in its progression.
“These findings held even after controlling for other factors that could influence Alzheimer’s risk, such as estrogen levels and sleep quality,” explained Thurston. Although the exact mechanism by which hot flashes during sleep increase the risk for Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, Thurston believes that there may be something particularly significant about these nocturnal hot flashes that researchers have not yet appreciated.
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However, it is still too early to determine whether treating hot flashes with hormone replacement therapy would lower the risk for dementia. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of women’s health at the Mayo Clinic, suggests that what’s good for the heart is generally good for the brain. Managing heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, is one of the best ways to lower the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by staying socially connected and keeping the brain stimulated can also contribute to maintaining brain health.
It is essential to note that the findings presented at the Menopause Society annual meeting in Philadelphia are preliminary and should be considered until they undergo peer-reviewed publication.
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In conclusion, women experiencing hot flashes during menopause should take them seriously, not just as a symptom of menopause but also as a potential indicator of Alzheimer’s disease risk. By maintaining good overall health, managing heart disease risk factors, and engaging in brain-stimulating activities, women can support their brain health during and after menopause. Further research is required to fully understand the relationship between hot flashes and Alzheimer’s disease, but this study highlights the importance of paying attention to these symptoms and taking steps to protect brain health.
