According to many doctors, women imagine many of their reported symptoms of menopause, or doctors connect the symptoms to something other than menopause. Women have never been viewed as the most credible of the sexes by doctors. New research, however, is beginning to support one of the claims of so many menopausal women: difficulties with memory and concentration. A new study in the Journal Menopause shows that the mental fog reported by many menopausal women is valid. Researchers gave a battery of cognitive tests to seventy-five menopausal women and also asked them how menopause affected their thinking. "Nearly half of them reported serious forgetfulness in the study, and the women who described the most problems with concentration and memory also scored worse on the cognitive tests." (1) The researchers hope that these findings will spur on additional research directed at finding treatments.
For me, a good night's sleep - rare these days - makes a huge difference in my thinking and memory skills as well as with my outlook on life. For many women it becomes more difficult to fall asleep, to stay asleep, and to enter stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep. Fluctuating, unbalanced hormones lie at the root of this type of insomnia during this stage of life.
D.
(1) Scientific American Mind, July/August 2012, "The Mental Pause of Menopause", Carrie Arnold, p. 11.
About Me
- Deborah K. Hanula
- Deborah K. Hanula has a year of Journalism training from Humber College, a Political Science degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition, she has Diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child Psychology, and Psychotherapy and Counselling as well as a Family Life Educator and Coach Certificate and Certificates in Reflexology, Assertiveness Training, and Mindfulness Meditation. She is the author of five cookbooks, primarily concerned with gluten-free and dairy-free diets, although one pertains to chocolate. As an adult, in the past she worked primarily as a lawyer, but also as a university and college lecturer, a tutor, editor, writer, counsellor, researcher and piano teacher. She enjoys a multi-faceted approach when it comes to life, work and study, in order to keep things fresh and interesting. Check out her new book: A Murder of Crows & Other Poems (2023).
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
A Changeable Brain
I am currently re-reading Norman Doidge's book, "The Brain That Changes Itself". The book deals primarily with how the brain can be rewired in order to deal with various types of mental conditions.
There are two key laws of neuroplasticity which are highlighted in the book. (Neuroplasticity is the term used to indicate that the brain retains plasticity, or in other words, the ability to be rewired.) We retain the ability to make some changes to how our brains operate throughout most of our lives in order to cure or mitigate many agonizing conditions.
The first law or principle is the finding that "neurons that fire together wire together" and the second is the finding that "neurons that fire apart wire apart".
To illustrate these principles, I will refer to the anxiety condition of "obsessive compulsive disorder" (OCD). By doing something else - something pleasurable - instead of performing the compulsion, individuals suffering from OCD form a new circuit that is gradually reinforced in place of the compulsion. And, by not acting on the compulsion in the first place, the link between the compulsion and the idea that it will ease anxiety is weakened. Weakening the link is crucial because while acting on a compulsion eases anxiety in the short term, it worsens the condition of OCD in the long term. As individuals apply themselves, this 'manual gear shift' becomes more automatic. The episodes become shorter and less frequent and although relapses occur, especially during times of high stress, regaining control comes about more quickly.
D.
The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge, M.D., Penguin Books 2007, p. 174.
There are two key laws of neuroplasticity which are highlighted in the book. (Neuroplasticity is the term used to indicate that the brain retains plasticity, or in other words, the ability to be rewired.) We retain the ability to make some changes to how our brains operate throughout most of our lives in order to cure or mitigate many agonizing conditions.
The first law or principle is the finding that "neurons that fire together wire together" and the second is the finding that "neurons that fire apart wire apart".
To illustrate these principles, I will refer to the anxiety condition of "obsessive compulsive disorder" (OCD). By doing something else - something pleasurable - instead of performing the compulsion, individuals suffering from OCD form a new circuit that is gradually reinforced in place of the compulsion. And, by not acting on the compulsion in the first place, the link between the compulsion and the idea that it will ease anxiety is weakened. Weakening the link is crucial because while acting on a compulsion eases anxiety in the short term, it worsens the condition of OCD in the long term. As individuals apply themselves, this 'manual gear shift' becomes more automatic. The episodes become shorter and less frequent and although relapses occur, especially during times of high stress, regaining control comes about more quickly.
D.
The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge, M.D., Penguin Books 2007, p. 174.
The Fluidity of Female Sexuality
Attention heterosexual men: I don't want to cause you to be overly leery, but, it turns out that there's no guarantee that the significant heterosexual woman in your life will not, at some point, desire a female partner. So-called 'straight' women are aroused by both male and female erotica: by images of men and women having sex, by men having sex with men, and by women having sex with women. They are enticed by the faces and bodies of both sexes.
"Straight women may be particularly ambidextrous in their attractions, but gay women seem to share some of the female inclination to ambiguity."(1) Two studies carried out in the 1990's indicated that about 80 percent of gay women have had sex with a man while just over half of gay men have had sex with a woman.
In my personal life, I don't know of any cases where a woman has gone from partnering with a man, to then partnering with a woman, and then back to a man. In my experience, the woman leaves the man for another woman and then stays with that woman or continues on to have additional relationships with other women. One high-profile case, however, indicates more fluidity. Lou Diamond Philips' wife, Julie Cypher, left him to pursue a relationship with Melissa Etheridge then years later split with Etheridge to marry a man.
A 2003 study found that behavioural plasticity isn't exclusive to the area of sexuality: female identity appears to be more malleable in general. Over the course of a single week, women reported conflicting traits far more often than men did. Individual women reported that they were submissive and argumentative, compliant and forceful. If their conceptions of their true selves can be so fluid, then it is not much of a stretch to consider that their sexualities may also be more fluid and responsive to outside stimuli - whatever that stimuli might be.
Female sexual fluidity has coursed through most sexuality studies that have been carried out since 1940, beginning with the landmark studies by Alfred Kinsey. Like most other traits, the degree of fluidity most assuredly varies along a continuum. Being somewhat attracted to both sexes seems to be built into the mating psychology of females.
D.
(1) Psychology Today, July/August 2012, "Flex Appeal", Katherine Schreiber, p. 36.
"Straight women may be particularly ambidextrous in their attractions, but gay women seem to share some of the female inclination to ambiguity."(1) Two studies carried out in the 1990's indicated that about 80 percent of gay women have had sex with a man while just over half of gay men have had sex with a woman.
In my personal life, I don't know of any cases where a woman has gone from partnering with a man, to then partnering with a woman, and then back to a man. In my experience, the woman leaves the man for another woman and then stays with that woman or continues on to have additional relationships with other women. One high-profile case, however, indicates more fluidity. Lou Diamond Philips' wife, Julie Cypher, left him to pursue a relationship with Melissa Etheridge then years later split with Etheridge to marry a man.
A 2003 study found that behavioural plasticity isn't exclusive to the area of sexuality: female identity appears to be more malleable in general. Over the course of a single week, women reported conflicting traits far more often than men did. Individual women reported that they were submissive and argumentative, compliant and forceful. If their conceptions of their true selves can be so fluid, then it is not much of a stretch to consider that their sexualities may also be more fluid and responsive to outside stimuli - whatever that stimuli might be.
Female sexual fluidity has coursed through most sexuality studies that have been carried out since 1940, beginning with the landmark studies by Alfred Kinsey. Like most other traits, the degree of fluidity most assuredly varies along a continuum. Being somewhat attracted to both sexes seems to be built into the mating psychology of females.
D.
(1) Psychology Today, July/August 2012, "Flex Appeal", Katherine Schreiber, p. 36.
Monday, July 16, 2012
An Early Warning Sign (Alzheimer's Disease)
A slow or uneven gait in older individuals may be early signs of Alzheimer's Disease according to three recent studies.
According to research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver, pace, rhythm and the size of steps taken in older persons changed with the onset of neurological illness. Observing gait is a good way to determine who may need further neurological evaluation, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention. Since individuals with Alzheimer's are also more likely to suffer falls than are healthy, older individuals, simply watching for signs of a slow or uneven gait could help them get the early, appropriate care required to prevent injury, disability and possibly premature death.
A study completed at the Basel Mobility Center in Switzerland of approximately 1,100 people with an average age of 77 indicated that those with Alzheimer's disease walked more slowly and with a more irregular pattern of steps as they suffered cognitive decline. Even those with what could be considered mild cognitive impairment walked with less vigor and more variability than did elderly individuals without cognitive impairment.
Another study carried out at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, which looked at the walking stride of approximately 1,200 people over the age of 49, found that the rhythm of a person's stride is associated with the speed at which the brain processes information as well as with the regulation of behaviour - some of the executive functions of the brain - but not with memory.
A study at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota found that individuals who had slower steps and smaller strides had larger declines in thinking, memory and executive function processing. The study indicated that the motor changes were happening prior to the memory changes, but both have been recognized to be part of the disease spectrum of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.
In total, the studies looked at 4,000 individuals.
Most older adults walk more slowly as they age. It is important to determine what underlying physical conditions may be present, such as conditions of pain, joint degeneration or bone disease in order to recognize how much gait, stride and rhythm may be affected by physical conditions and how much may be affected by cognitive decline.
D.
"Changes in Gait May Signal Alzheimer's", July 16, 2012, http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/
According to research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver, pace, rhythm and the size of steps taken in older persons changed with the onset of neurological illness. Observing gait is a good way to determine who may need further neurological evaluation, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention. Since individuals with Alzheimer's are also more likely to suffer falls than are healthy, older individuals, simply watching for signs of a slow or uneven gait could help them get the early, appropriate care required to prevent injury, disability and possibly premature death.
A study completed at the Basel Mobility Center in Switzerland of approximately 1,100 people with an average age of 77 indicated that those with Alzheimer's disease walked more slowly and with a more irregular pattern of steps as they suffered cognitive decline. Even those with what could be considered mild cognitive impairment walked with less vigor and more variability than did elderly individuals without cognitive impairment.
Another study carried out at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, which looked at the walking stride of approximately 1,200 people over the age of 49, found that the rhythm of a person's stride is associated with the speed at which the brain processes information as well as with the regulation of behaviour - some of the executive functions of the brain - but not with memory.
A study at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota found that individuals who had slower steps and smaller strides had larger declines in thinking, memory and executive function processing. The study indicated that the motor changes were happening prior to the memory changes, but both have been recognized to be part of the disease spectrum of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.
In total, the studies looked at 4,000 individuals.
Most older adults walk more slowly as they age. It is important to determine what underlying physical conditions may be present, such as conditions of pain, joint degeneration or bone disease in order to recognize how much gait, stride and rhythm may be affected by physical conditions and how much may be affected by cognitive decline.
D.
"Changes in Gait May Signal Alzheimer's", July 16, 2012, http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Brain Gain from Green Tea
It has been a long-held belief that the flavonoids in green tea protect the brain from dementia. What remained unknown, however, was whether the process of digestion rendered those compounds inactive and, therefore, of no value.
Researchers at Newcastle University have found that digestion renders green tea more protective: the digested flavonoids prevent accumulated toxins from attacking and destroying brain cells. Digestion also boosts the ability of these compounds to slow tumour growth.
D.
Psychology Today, September/October 2011, "The Real Tea Party", Rebecca Searles, p. 46.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Psychoactive Substance: Caffeine Revisited
It seems that research continues to unearth more and more information about caffeine. Caffeine, which is found in substantial amounts in coffee and to a lesser degree in tea and dark chocolate, appears to have positive benefits beyond those which may initially spring to mind. More and more neuroprotective effects of the world's most popular psychoactive substance are indicated in a survey of new studies which should be of interest to our aging population.
Caffeine belongs to a family of central nervous system stimulants known as methylxanthines. Caffeine stimulates us, making us more focused and alert, by blocking adenosine. This prevents the brain from detecting exhaustion. Additionally, it causes a stream of adrenaline to be released which also makes us more alert. Caffeine can also enhance physical endurance by inhibiting the perception of pain in muscles and by diminishing a sense of muscle fatigue by blocking the adenosine receptors on sensory nerve endings.
Several metabolites of caffeine - paraxanthine, theobromine, theophylline - have been indicated to assist persons suffering from Parkinson's disease. The chemicals protect against the loss of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the region of the brain called the stratium. This, in turn, reverses the impaired motor control which is one of the hallmark symptoms of the disease. These chemicals also keep dopamine-producing neurons from deteriorating.
Regular daily consumption of at least three cups of coffee has been found to prevent cognitive decline in seniors. It also appears to preserve - perhaps even restore - working memory in those suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. It does this by inhibiting the production of beta-amyloid protein. This protein can accumulate in the brain, forming plaques that theoretically give rise to brain degeneration.
There is also some evidence that drinking five or more cups of tea and coffee per day can help to prevent the development of glioma, a type of tumor that arises in the supportive tissue of the brain. Further research indicates that a mere half cup of tea or coffee per day reduces the risk by 34 percent. The exact mechanism of how this actually works has not been determined.
Caffeine boosts mood in most people. Consuming caffeine beyond one's tolerance level, however, can cause angry outbursts, agitation, increased blood pressure, tachycardia and insomnia.
D.
This article has been adapted from Psychology Today, March/April 2011, "The Case for Caffeine", Katherine Schreiber, p. 46.
Caffeine belongs to a family of central nervous system stimulants known as methylxanthines. Caffeine stimulates us, making us more focused and alert, by blocking adenosine. This prevents the brain from detecting exhaustion. Additionally, it causes a stream of adrenaline to be released which also makes us more alert. Caffeine can also enhance physical endurance by inhibiting the perception of pain in muscles and by diminishing a sense of muscle fatigue by blocking the adenosine receptors on sensory nerve endings.
Several metabolites of caffeine - paraxanthine, theobromine, theophylline - have been indicated to assist persons suffering from Parkinson's disease. The chemicals protect against the loss of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the region of the brain called the stratium. This, in turn, reverses the impaired motor control which is one of the hallmark symptoms of the disease. These chemicals also keep dopamine-producing neurons from deteriorating.
Regular daily consumption of at least three cups of coffee has been found to prevent cognitive decline in seniors. It also appears to preserve - perhaps even restore - working memory in those suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. It does this by inhibiting the production of beta-amyloid protein. This protein can accumulate in the brain, forming plaques that theoretically give rise to brain degeneration.
There is also some evidence that drinking five or more cups of tea and coffee per day can help to prevent the development of glioma, a type of tumor that arises in the supportive tissue of the brain. Further research indicates that a mere half cup of tea or coffee per day reduces the risk by 34 percent. The exact mechanism of how this actually works has not been determined.
Caffeine boosts mood in most people. Consuming caffeine beyond one's tolerance level, however, can cause angry outbursts, agitation, increased blood pressure, tachycardia and insomnia.
D.
This article has been adapted from Psychology Today, March/April 2011, "The Case for Caffeine", Katherine Schreiber, p. 46.
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