The difficulties that many women describe as memory problems when menopause approaches are real, according to a study published in the journal Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (see also Menopause).

The findings won’t come as a surprise to the millions of women who have had bouts of forgetfulness or who describe struggles with “brain fog” in their late 40s and 50s. But the results of the study, by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the University of Illinois at Chicago who gave women a rigorous battery of cognitive tests, validate their experiences and provide some clues to what is happening in the brain as women hit menopause.

“The most important thing to realize is that there really are some cognitive changes that occur during this phase in a woman’s life,” said Miriam Weber, Ph.D., the neuropsychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center who led the study. “If a woman approaching menopause feels she is having memory problems, no one should brush it off or attribute it to a jam-packed schedule. She can find comfort in knowing that there are new research findings that support her experience. She can view her experience as normal.”

The study is one of only a handful to analyze in detail a woman’s brain function during menopause and to compare those findings to the woman’s own reports of memory or cognitive difficulties.

The study included 75 women, from age 40 to 60, who were approaching or beginning menopause. The women underwent a battery of cognitive tests that looked at several skills, including their abilities to learn and retain new information, to mentally manipulate new information, and to sustain their attention over time. They were asked about menopause symptoms related to depression, anxiety, hot flashes, and sleep difficulties, and their blood levels of the hormones estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured.

Weber’s team found that the women’s complaints were linked to some types of memory deficits, but not others.

Women who had memory complaints were much more likely to do poorly in tests designed to measure what is called “working memory” – the ability to take in new information and manipulate it in their heads. Such tasks in real life might include calculating the amount of a tip after a restaurant meal, adding up a series of numbers in one’s head, or adjusting one’s itinerary on the fly after an unexpected flight change.

Scientists also found that the women’s reports of memory difficulties were associated with a lessened ability to keep and focus attention on a challenging task. That might include doing the taxes, maintaining sharp attention on the road during a long drive, completing a difficult report at work despite boredom, or getting through a particularly challenging book.

Weber notes that such cognitive processes aren’t what typically come to mind when people think of “memory.” Oftentimes, people consider memory to be the ability to tuck away a piece of information, such as a grocery item you need to remember to buy, and to retrieve it later. The team found little evidence that women have problems with this ability. Weber notes, though, that the 75 women in the study were more highly educated and on average of higher intelligence than the general population, and a decline might have been difficult to detect.

Women who reported memory difficulties were also more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. The team did not find any link between memory problems and hormone levels.

Generally anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of women during this stage of life report forgetfulness and other difficulties that they view as related to poor memory.

“If you speak with middle-aged women, many will say, yes, we’ve known this. We’ve experienced this,” said Weber, assistant professor of Neurology. “But it hasn’t been investigated thoroughly in the scientific literature.

“Science is finally catching up to the reality that women don’t suddenly go from their reproductive prime to becoming infertile. There is this whole transition period that lasts years. It’s more complicated than people have realized.”

“People are surprised to learn that typically, for example in elderly adults, there really isn’t a lot of evidence that memory complaints are tied to real memory deficits. Menopausal women are different. They are good at rating their memory skills,” added co-author Pauline Maki, Ph.D., director of Women’s Mental Health Research in UIC’s Department of Psychiatry.

“We don’t know why but perhaps it’s because their memory changes are more sudden and they are aware of other changes that accompany the menopause, like hot flashes. This might help them to better assess their mental abilities,” Maki added.

The latest findings are in line with results from a previous study that Weber did with Mark Mapstone, Ph.D., associate professor of Neurology, as well as results from a study which involved hundreds of women but used less sensitive measures to look at cognitive performance.

“There really is something going on in the brain of a woman at this stage in her life,” Mapstone said. “There is substance to their complaints that their memory is a bit fuzzy.”

For women who feel they are having memory problems, Weber has some advice.

“When someone gives you a new piece of information, it might be helpful to repeat it out loud, or for you to say it back to the person to confirm it – it will help you hold onto that information longer,” Weber said. “Make sure you have established that memory solidly in the brain.

“You need to do a little more work to make sure the information gets into your brain permanently. It may help to realize that you shouldn’t expect to be able to remember everything after hearing it just once.”

Source: Life Extension Foundation

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic

In a new study published in the European Spine Journal, researchers wanted to see if hormone deficiencies were a triggering event for adult degenerative scoliosis, a condition that commonly occurs in postmenopausal women. It is thought that menopausal hormone changes affect bone density, which sets off a cascade of events that leads to degenerative scoliosis.

In this latest study, women given hormone replacement therapy were less likely to develop one of the initiating factors in adult degenerative scoliosis, called lateral listhesis, a rotational displacement of a vertebra.

The occurrence of adult degenerative scoliosis is more common that scoliosis in juveniles or adolescents. Therefore, this research is very important in helping to possibly prevent adult-onset scoliosis in the first place.

One note we would like to add to this however. Bio-identical hormone replacement has far fewer risks involved than conventional hormone replacement therapy, which is made from pregnant horse urine. Synthetic hormone replacement carries with increased risk of certain female reproductive cancers. So please do your homework if you are interested in hormone replacement.

Women who are already developing degenerative scoliosis will likely want a combined treatment approach, one that includes bio-identical hormone replacement and a conservative exercise-based scoliosis therapy like ARC3D to help reverse the scoliosis.

Source: Eur Spine J. 2011 Oct 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic

Modern medicine has become nothing more than a convoluted maze of deductibles, copays, HMOs, and preauthorizations. What has been lost in our system of health care is the basic act of a doctor and patient sitting across from one another, with the patient explaining his or her problems in complete detail. However, in order for the doctor-patient relationship to develop in this manner, it can only be done outside of the current health insurance model. Why? Because insurance companies aren’t interested in getting people healthy. Rather, they are only looking to get people asymptomatic. They believe, despite the level of published evidence to show otherwise, that restricting patients’ access to medical care will lower costs.
Here is a perfect example of why our offices and doctors do not participate with insurances. Yesterday a goon from Blue Cross/Blue Shield walked into our Richmond office and proceeded to strong-arm our medical assistant, Callie. The goon basically attempted to railroad Callie by chastising her because the doctors send “too much” bloodwork to out-of-state specialty laboratories (you know, the ones that actually identify the origins of various diseases). She told Callie that BCBSM would sanction us if we kept referring to these specialty labs instead of those that BCBSM likes.

This is exactly what the public never sees. Even with an insurance company like BCBSM, where you can choose your doctor, you are not truly free to select the type of medical care you want.

Anyhow, Callie ultimately directed her to me, and I promptly spoke to this goon and told her that we don’t participate with BCBSM at all (for exactly this reason). Hence, sanctions cannot be administered, and BCBSM cannot tell us how to treat our patients.

WE CARE ABOUT OUR PATIENTS ONLY. WE DON’T CARE WHAT INSURANCE THEY HAVE, WHAT IT COVERS OR DOESN’T, OR WHAT THEIR DEDUCTIBLE IS. WE WANT TO HELP OUR PATIENTS RECOVER FROM THEIR ILLNESSES, AND NOT JUST “MANAGE” THEM. WHATEVER LABORATORY STUDIES WE NEED TO IDENTIFY THE ORIGIN OF A PATIENT’S ILLNESS, WE WILL USE.

If you want to get better, come see us. If your insurance deductible and copay is your primary concern, then call BCBSM and get a referral to an office where they don’t really care about getting you better.

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic

On September 24th, 2011, the Natural Wellness & Pain Relief Centers in Richmond will be hosting a Grand Opening!

The day’s events include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featured health workshops, and tons of free information and prizes.

As part of our community health awareness program, in partnership with the Michigan Health & Wellness Initiative, during the Grand Opening we will be offering FREE blood pressure checks, breathing tests, and FREE laboratory tests including intestinal flora, antioxidant status, 10-parameter urinalysis, and H. Pylori testing (a common cause of ulcers and autoimmune disorders).

We will be taking $15 donations, all of which will be given to a local charity.

Laboratory testing is on a first come, first served basis until test kits are gone.

Come and find out why the Natural Wellness & Pain Relief Center in Richmond is the most comprehensive integrative medicine clinic in Macomb County.

For more information, please call 586-727-7500.

Media contacts: Please call 810-694-3576 for interviews with Dr. Megan Strauchman, Medical Director.

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic

We have a great blend of seminars coming up in May for our beloved patients, their families, friends and local communities. Of course, Dr. Strauchman will be speaking on her two most popular topics: Thyroid Care and Bio-Identical Hormones. However, we also have a couple of new seminars where we will be presenting some of the latest research and treatment strategies for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and idiopathic scoliosis.

Here is an outline of our upcoming seminars by clinic location:

Grand Blanc - All seminars begin promptly at 6:30pm.

Wed, May 11th -  Thyroid Care

Could you be suffering from hypothyroidism even though your labs are ‘normal?’ Find out which labs need to be ordered to get the most comprehensive approach toward total thyroid care. Are you aware that hypothyroidism may be caused by something completely separate from your thyroid?

Wed, May 18th – Bio-Identical Hormones

With all the mixed information in the media, how are we to know what’s correct? Dr. Strauchman provides very compelling information on the history, types, and effectiveness of bio-identical hormones (when correctly prescribed), and shares who may be behind the aggressive media campaign against them.

Wed, May 25th – Hypertension and High Cholesterol: An Insulin Problem?

The is the first time that Dr. Strauchman has given this presentation to the general public. Filled with new insights on the most successful strategies for naturally treating high cholesterol and high blood pressure, Dr. Strauchman will share her thoughts on one of the most ground-breaking theories behind these common disorders – insulin resistance. Learn how insulin resistance may be the reason your blood pressure medication is not controlling your blood pressure well, and why your LDL “bad” cholesterol just won’t come down with statin medications. You DON’T have to be diabetic to be suffering the effects of insulin resistance.

Richmond - Seminars start promptly at 6:00pm

Tues, May 3rd – Diabetes: Natural Alternatives for Rapid, Healthy Healing

Pre-Diabetes, Type II Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome are becoming epidemic problems in our fast-food, fast-paced society today. Rather than being relegated to giving yourself insulin forever, come and learn some of the most effective natural means of managing and reversing your diabetic symptoms. This seminar will discuss the benefits of banaba leaf, chromium, vanadium, and other natural nutrients that help your body properly manage your blood sugar levels.

Tues, May 10th – Sleep Away Your Chronic Pain With MUA

We know it sounds absurd, but it really is true. There is a revolutionary pain management procedure called MUA that can dramatically reduce your pain in only 3 days – and all while you’re asleep!

Come and learn how the MUA procedure can significantly decrease the pain associated with migraine headaches, bulging or herniated discs, degenerated discs, fibromyalgia, and recurrent pain following back surgery. The MUA procedure has helped thousands of patients across the country. Come and learn how MUA can give you the relief you’ve been waiting for. Just think…..in only 3 days, you could be golfing, running, playing with your kids, working, walking, and feeling great again! Click on the “Bulging or Herniated Discs” tab on our main website page to check out some introductory videos on the MUA procedure. You won’t be disappointed.

Tues, May 17th – Scoliosis and the TornadoSuit: The new era of scoliosis bracing

Developed by our own Dr. Mark Morningstar, the TornadoSuit is an activity suit designed to enhance the corrective benefits of exercise-based scoliosis therapies. This seminar will discuss the long-term importance of avoiding scoliosis surgery, and why parents from all over the country are bringing their children to us for the TornadoSuit. This truly is the next generation of American scoliosis bracing technology.

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic

We have some great workshops coming up this month, presented by our medical director, Megan Strauchman, DO.

Here is a breakdown of the upcoming workshops:

January 5th  6:30-7:15pm

HcG Weight Loss: How to Lose and Keep Those Holiday Pounds Off!

Seating for each of these workshops is limited. Please call our office at 810.694.3576 to reserve your seat.

Sick and Tired of Your Menopause Symptoms?

Thyroid Disease…..Need We Say More?

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic

This blog is designed for people with questions concerning their health. Dr. Strauchman practices functional medicine, and helps people with very specific hormone and nutrient deficiencies restore their energy and vitality.

We encourage and invite you to ask Dr. Strauchman about your health issues, and what types of therapies may help you get back to your normal life again.

Natural Wellness and Pain Relief Centers of Michigan - Results, naturally | Flint, Grand Blanc, Genesee County Bio-Identical Hormones, Scoliosis, Autism, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic