Menopause hot flashes may indicate Alzheimer’s risk.
Menopause hot flashes may indicate Alzheimer's risk.
Hot Flashes During Sleep Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk in Menopausal Women
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Menopausal women who experience frequent hot flashes during sleep may be at an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This revelation comes from a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Illinois. The study, which is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented at the annual meeting of The North American Menopause Society in Philadelphia.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more women than men, with two-thirds of people diagnosed being female. While the cause of the disease remains unknown, decreased estrogen levels after menopause are thought to contribute to the increased risk. Hot flashes, a common symptom experienced by menopausal women, have also been associated with poor memory performance and alterations in brain structure and function.
Dr. Rebecca Thurston, a study author and director of women’s bio-behavioral health at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, explains, “There has been a convergence of findings showing that hot flashes – particularly when objectively measured and occurring during sleep – are associated with poorer memory performance as well as greater markers of small vessel disease risk in the brain, which has been linked to future dementia.”
What sets this study apart is its establishment of a link between hot flashes and recently identified biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers tracked hot flashes using portable sensors to monitor skin temperature changes among 250 middle-aged women. They then cross-referenced this data with the occurrence of biomarkers indicating elevated Alzheimer’s risk among the study population.
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The findings showed a strong association between hot flashes and night sweats and increased white matter hyperintensities, a biomarker for small vessel disease in the brain that can lead to dementia.
Interestingly, the associations between hot flashes and Alzheimer’s risk were not explained by sleep itself or estrogen levels. Dr. Thurston says, “There may be something particularly important about these nocturnal hot flashes that we have not appreciated up to this point.”
While the study does not yet elucidate the underlying mechanisms, it emphasizes the need for awareness among menopausal women who experience hot flashes, particularly during sleep. Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society, highlights the importance of proactive measures to reduce Alzheimer’s risk and improve quality of life.
Dr. Mindy Goldman, chief clinical officer for Midi Health, a virtual care clinic focusing on women’s health during midlife hormonal transition, adds that hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, and brain fog are among the most common symptoms experienced by menopausal women. She notes that these symptoms are not just annoyances but potential markers of health issues.
The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) has already associated more hot flashes with negative effects on lipids, insulin resistance, and markers for heart disease. This study further supports the idea that hot flashes can have impacts on health risks.
Although hot flashes and night sweats are not direct causes of dementia, the study reinforces the fact that the menopausal transition has important effects on women’s overall health. It serves as a reminder that menopausal symptoms should not be ignored.
Dr. Thurston advises women with nighttime hot flashes to take the study findings as a wake-up call to prioritize their health. Engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, treating mental health conditions, and managing risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes are all beneficial for brain health.
Furthermore, there is some evidence that non-hormonal interventions for hot flashes may help improve cognition, but further research is needed in this area.
As we strive to better understand the complex relationship between menopause, hot flashes, and Alzheimer’s disease, it is crucial that women take proactive steps to protect their brain health. By embracing healthy behaviors and seeking appropriate interventions, menopausal women can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s and enjoy a better quality of life.
