Nerve Injury

Functional Neurology: Understanding Menopause Brain Fog

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Do you have low brain endurance when it comes to focus and concentration? Do you often feel like you must drink coffee or exercise to improve brain function? Have you been experiencing noticeable variation in your mental speed? How often do you pick up your smartphone and forget why? Many women commonly struggle to remember everyday tasks throughout their 40’s and 50’s. Research studies have determined that menopause is a prevalent cause of brain fog in women. Β 

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What is Menopause Brain Fog?

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Many women between the ages of 40 and 50 may be going through menopause or the end of their menstrual cycles.Β  Symptoms may vary for every woman and these can range from thinning hair to weight gain to night sweats. Many other women may also have general forgetfulness or β€œbrain fog” which can ultimately make it hard for them to concentrate. Β 

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During one research study, healthcare professionals found that about 60 percent of middle-aged women had trouble focusing or concentrating and other health issues associated with cognitive problems. These health issues increased in women going through perimenopause. Perimenopause is the stage before the menstrual cycle stops entirely. Β 

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The women in the research study also reported experiencing subtle changes in memory but researchers believe that a β€œnegative effect” may have worsened these symptoms. The researchers also found that women going through menopause generally experience negative changes in mood and other memory problems. Moreover, the research study found that brain fog may also be associated with sleep issues and other vascular symptoms associated with menopause like hot flashes. Β 

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Another research study also found that women in the early stages of menopause may experience more noticeable cognition problems. Women during the first year of their last menstrual period scored the lowest on tests evaluating: Β 

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  • attention
  • memory
  • verbal learning
  • working memory tasks
  • motor function

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Memory for the women improved over time, which is the opposite of what the researchers had initially hypothesized. Β  Furthermore, healthcare professionals believe that midlife brain fog in women may be associated with hormonal changes.

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Estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, are all responsible for different processes in the human body, including brain function. Perimenopause lasts an average of 4 years, during which time the hormone levels may ultimately fluctuate wildly and cause a variety of symptoms as the mind and the body adjust to these hormonal changes.Β 

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Brain Fog and Alzheimer’s Disease in Women

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Memory problems during menopause can be completely normal. You may forget where you placed your smartphone or you may have trouble remembering an old coworker’s name. However, if your cognitive problems begin to negatively affect your everyday life, it may be best for you to see your healthcare professional immediately to receive a proper diagnosis. Β 

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Dementia is another well-known health issue that may also cause brain fog. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent cause of dementia in older women. It generally starts with trouble remembering things as well as difficulty organizing thoughts. Unlike the brain fog associated with menopause, Alzheimer’s disease is a health issue that progressively worsens over time. Β 

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Other common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia include: Β 

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  • trouble finding the right words to identify different objects
  • repeating questions or statements over and over
  • difficulty making decisions
  • difficulty performing daily tasks
  • changes in mood, personality, or behavior
  • getting lost, even in familiar places

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Menopause Brain Fog Treatment

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Menopause brain fog may be moderate and may go away on its own over time. Severe memory health issues may cause you to neglect your personal hygiene, forget the name of familiar objects, or even have difficulty following directions. Β 

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Once your healthcare professional has ruled out other health issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, you may explore menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). This treatment involves taking low-dose estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin. These hormones may help with other symptoms you may experience during menopause, not just memory loss. Β 

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According to healthcare professionals, however, long-term use of estrogen may increase the risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. Speak with your doctor to see if this type of treatment is right for you. Β 

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Menopause Brain Fog Prevention

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While you may not be able to prevent the brain fog associated with menopause, there are several lifestyle modifications you can do to help you ease into your symptoms as well as to help improve your memory and overall health and wellness. Β 

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Eat a Balanced Diet

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A balanced diet that’s rich in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and fat may be bad for both your brain and your heart. Instead, try a balanced diet that’s rich in whole foods and healthy fats. The Mediterranean diet, by way of instance, may help with brain health because it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other unsaturated fats. Good food choices include: Β 

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  • fresh fruits and vegetables
  • whole grains
  • beans and nuts
  • olive oil
  • fish

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Exercise the Body

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Getting regular exercise and/or physical activity is recommended for all people, including women going through menopause. Researchers and healthcare professionals believe that exercise may even help with brain fog and other memory problems. Β 

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Get Enough Sleep

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Your quality of sleep may affect brain fog. With sleep problems high on the list of symptoms associated with menopause, getting enough sleep can be a tall order. As a matter of fact, 61 percent of postmenopausal women report having insomnia. Β 

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According to research studies, hormonal changes in women going through menopause can cause brain fog and other memory health issues. However, these memory as well as cognition problems associated with hormonal changes and menopause, may ultimately improve on their own over time. Several treatment and prevention options can help ease menopause brain fog. If brain fog symptoms become worse, a doctor can help rule out other health issues like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, among others. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

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Neurotransmitter Assessment Form

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The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. Β 

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In honor of Governor Abbott’s proclamation, October is Chiropractic Health Month. Learn more about the proposal. Β 

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Do you have low brain endurance when it comes to focus and concentration? Do you often feel like you must drink coffee or exercise to improve brain function? Have you been experiencing noticeable variation in your mental speed? How often do you pick up your smartphone and forget why? Many women commonly struggle to remember everyday tasks throughout their 40’s and 50’s. Research studies have determined that menopause is a prevalent cause of brain fog in women. Β 

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The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . Β 

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Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez Β 

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Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain

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Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.

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Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease

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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual’s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. Β 

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Formulas for Methylation Support

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XYMOGEN’s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.

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Proudly,Β Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.

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Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.

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If you are a patient of Injury Medical & ChiropracticΒ Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.

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For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download Β 

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* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.

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Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Functional Neurology: Understanding Menopause Brain Fog" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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