menopause brain fog or dementia

Its not that games cant challenge your brain, but if you play the same games all the time, you figure them out. Doctors Spill 7 Secrets On How They Ward Off Sickness and How You Can Too! You might have noticed that you're increasingly forgetful, can't remember names, lose your keys, write endless to-do lists, and find it hard to retain information. Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more? Still, there are some lifestyle changes you can make that may ease your symptoms and improve your memory overall. Some people might call it menopause brain fog. The symptoms of menopause, which can include vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), vaginal dryness, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety and "brain fog", can span perimenopause and last for up to 10 years. I dont often align myself with products but this is one that I just had to share! Maybe you write reminders to yourself. Generally those with Alzheimer's are much older than women experiencing menopause which typically happens in your mid-40s to mid-50s. Speak with your doctor about the benefits versus the risks of this type of treatment. It results in loss of memory, significantly disturbs the individual's daily life, and reduces their quality of life. As we age, these moments of forgetfulness happen more often. Professor Michael Baum, Prof Emeritus of Surgery, ULC, London issues a rapid [], Dr Louise Newson talks to Dr Lisa Mosconi, Director of the Womens [], Many of us worry about dementia, particularly if there is someone in []. Better sleep also boosts mood, energy levels and concentration, helping the cloud of brain fog to lift. And this is the case for women more than men. If you struggle to fall or stay asleep, or you wake up in the middle of the night, theres a good chance youre missing out on some of the deep sleep, thats most beneficial for your brain. We all forget things. Its important to remember that there are lots of causes for brain fog, says, Hormone changes during the transition to menopause, Other hormone changes (for example, thyroid problems), Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (such as vitamin B12). See additional information. Some of you may already know years ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In reality, the Alzheimers Association of America estimates that anywhere from 220,000 to 640,000 Americans are affected by early onset Alzheimers and Dementia, though many go undiagnosed. This report,Improving Memory: Understanding age-related memory loss, describes these normal age-related changes and other more serious causes of memoryloss and how to distinguish between them. Alcohol may also disrupt your sleep. These include: The Mediterranean diet, in particular, is especially supportive of womens brain health, says Mosconi. Her 2018 study published inNeurology, for example, found that people who strictly followed this eating pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats such as olive oil had fewer beta-amyloid deposits in their brains (a harbinger of Alzheimers) than those who did not. by Caroline Gurvich, Chen Zhu, Shalini Arunogiri, The Conversation They may experience difficulty assimilating and making use of new information. While earlier studies found that HRT did lower the risk of dementia, other studies have found that it either did nothing or that it slightly elevated dementia risk. While dementia is common in older people, it is relatively unusual for it to develop at the time of menopause (usually in your 40s and 50s). However, evidence suggests that learning ability and memory returns during postmenopause: in 2009, researchers analysed more than 2,000 women over four years and found that cognitive issues improved after menopause (3). In the meantime, the Alzheimer's Association recently unveiled "10 Ways to Love Your Brain" and reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and possibly dementia, as we age. Exercise your mind Make lists to help you stay organised. Normally, this is no cause for concern. She finally confided to her husband Frank early on in the new year that she was struggling at work even with simple tasks like counting and writing. Therefore, any symptoms related to menopause, including the effects on brain function, have to be seen in the context of everything else that is going on in your life. Dont wear heavy clothing or pile on lots of blankets in bed. Research shows that the first two of these have direct beneficial effects on the brain, even at the level of cellular function. When replenishing fluids, does milk beat water? Its no secret when you enter menopause youre also going to be dealing with brain fog, forgetfulness, and some shifts in mood and ability to focus. You might have noticed that youre increasingly forgetful, cant remember names, lose your keys, write endless to-do lists, and find it hard to retain information. Testosterone (produced by the ovaries too) strengthens nerves in the brain, and contributes to mental sharpness and clarity, as well as overall energy levels. When estrogen levels fall in midlife, your entire body including your brain goes into a sudden deprivation state. BONUS! Women are at the epicenter of this because the economic threat is especially dire for women, given they are an increasingly powerful element of our global economy and the vast majority of unpaid caregivers. But theres another change that carries even more health implications: an increased risk of Alzheimers disease. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 58. As we age, these moments of forgetfulness happen more often. The researchers explain that women going through menopause may generally feel a more negative mood, and that mood may be related to memory issues. The data clearly showed that women were indeed at a higher risk of dementia below the age of 70, following the decade after menopause, compared to men. You may not be able to prevent the brain fog associated with menopause. They went to her doctor who ran some basic tests for dementia symptoms, all which came back positive. When Mosconi and her colleagues set out to do this study, she didnt hypothesize that having more kids would be protective if anything, she thought it would have the opposite effect. When the levels of these hormones begin to fall during perimenopause and menopause, this can lead to a range of cognitive symptoms including memory loss, difficulty staying focused, wordfinding difficulties, losing your train of thought and getting confused easily.Estrogen stimulates the brain, keeps the neurons firing, supports the growth of new cells and helps existing cells to form new connections. However, womens advantage for verbal memory performance is reduced with menopause. Try doing crossword puzzles or starting a new hobby, like playing the piano. Initiation of hormone replacement (HR) in perimenopause (roughly four to eight years before menopause) or early menopause may have positive effects on brain activity and memory function, although systematic HR trials have not been conducted during perimenopause. Thus, maintaining intact memory starting early in midlife with the transition to menopause is critical not only for women themselves, but also for their families, society, and our economic health. Healthy weight Achieve and maintain your ideal weight. Whats causing this foggy thinking? Brain fog and mild forgetfulness are normal signs of menopause, however, they can also indicate a more serious problem and can be a sign of the very early stages of dementia. A brainfriendly diet is one rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, which are found in eggs, fish, nuts and seeds. Confusion. And when it cant activate the amygdala, the memory center of the brain, we get depressed, anxious even forgetful.. At a cellular level, estrogen pushes your brain cells to burn more glucose, which is its main fuel. It manifests differently but can include everything from forgetfulness to taking longer to find the right word. repeating questions or statements over and over, trouble finding the right words to identify different objects, changes in mood, personality, or behavior. Here are a few of the most common causes: Many of these causes come in pairs, or even trios. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Dietary habits (such as the Mediterranean diet, or intake of omega-3 fatty acids like in fish oil) have also had beneficial effects on memory function. Herbs and supplements Some of the herbs and supplements we use to treat the hot flushes and mood swings of menopause may also help brain fog and memory problems. For example, 'brain fog' is a very common symptom of menopause, with many women saying their brain feels like cotton wool. Its important to have antioxidants in your diet as they can balance out these free radicals and minimise the negative impact of them on your cells.Regular exerciseRegular exercise can also support brain health its important to make time to keep active by doing an activity that you enjoy. Epperson CN. Instead, try filling up on whole foods and healthy fats. Symptoms are different for each woman, and include anything from night sweats to weight gain to thinning hair. Cognition and the menopausal transition: Is perception reality? Sleep Disturbed sleep or lack of quality sleep impairs normal brain function and contributes to brain fog. General health check See your GP to make sure your symptoms relate to menopause and not some other cause. Signs that what you are experiencing is in fact dementia and not just menopause are: As you can see, there are some pretty significant differences between the symptoms of menopause and the warning signs of dementia. Dr Shahzadi Harper: Yes, 60% of women do experience it around perimenopause, which is the time women go through hormonal change before their periods end. Brain fog is a very common symptom of the menopause, and many women say that their brains feel like 'cotton wool'. Our website does not host any form of advertisement. Things like familiar recipes, keeping track of bills or expenses, and other common home and work tasks may take you much longer to do and with higher inaccuracy. Although memory loss and brain fog can be alarming when it happens, there s no need to panic about these menopausal e ects on the brain. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. (1) There are other symptoms, however, that affect your brain and cognitive ability as well as your mood, including: In general, these are nothing to be concerned about and are perfectly normal as your body is going through quite a significant transition. Brain fog or dementia Brain fog is a very common symptom of the menopause, and many women say that their brains feel like 'cotton wool'. And it's natural to wonder, is this the start of a slippery slope to dementia? It also strengthens arteries that supply blood flow to the brain which is crucial to protect against loss of memory. Menopause effects on verbal memory: Findings from a longitudinal community cohort. It may be related to oestrogen levels, or to the interaction between hormone levels and neurotransmitters in the brain in individuals. Subscribe and get two FREE amazing ebooks, special offers, and cutting-edge health news. Lastly, a brief review of modifiable risk factors for age-related cognitive decline and dementia is presented, with guidance for counseling patients on optimizing their brain health . Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offers powerful tools that can be used to treat both the physical and psychological symptoms of menopause. 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