Psychological Changes

Psychological Changes

Menopause causes many psychological changes in women. Anxiety, irritability and depression are some of the common psychological changes occurring in women, in menopause. Know the main cause of depression in women in menopause.

What are the psychological changes associated with menopause

Anxiety, irritability and depression commonly arise during the climacteric (around menopause time) and are usually the group of symptoms which are worse in the pre-menopause period i.e. a few years before periods cease.
 

Why does depression occur

Falling estrogen levels may reduce dopamine receptor sensitivity or reduce available tryptophan for serotonin synthesis, leading to reduced activity of central nervous system transmitters and consequent depression. Other causes of depression may also occur at the time of menopause. These include loss of reproductive potential, a perceived loss of femininity, marital disenchantment, the 'empty nest' syndrome and career disappointments.


Cardiovascular Diseases

Estrogen has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease in women, but during menopause this estrogen levels decreases thus making women susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. After menopause, women are more prone to heart diseases. Know more about this.

Does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases

Before menopause, heart diseases are uncommon in women who do not smoke, do not have hypertension, hyperlipidaemia (excessive saturated fats in their blood) or diabetes. It is five times more common in men than in pre-menopausal women but once menopause has occurred, the risk of heart disease in women approaches that in men, suggesting a role for the menopausing in this changed risk.

The etiology of heart disease is complex and incompletely understood. However, several studies on the effect of premature menopause on the incidence of heart diseases suggest that earlier the cessation of ovarian function occurs greater the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A role for estrogen deficiency in the etiology of this disease is strongly suggestive.


How does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases

High plasma levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations protect the heart (cardio-protective), whilst those of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations increase the risk of heart disease.  Before menopause, serum LDL levels are lower and HDL levels are higher.  But after menopause, LDL levels increase significantly, and thereby increase the risk of heart diseases.


Do women run a greater risk of heart diseases than men

No.  Before menopause, serum LDL levels are lower in women than in men, and serum HDL levels are higher. Following menopause, LDL levels in women rise but do not exceed the levels in age-matched men.


What is the role of the estrogen in preventing heart diseases

Estrogen in pre-menopausal women has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease, probably mediated through it's effect on the HDL:LDL ratio.  But estrogen may work in other ways such as by a direct effect on blood vessels or by stimulating direct effect on blood flow in organs such as the skin, uterus, vulva and kidneys.



Changes in the Skeletal System (Osteoporosis)

There are many changes in the skeleton of women after menopause. Women have increased risk of osteoporosis. This is due to de-mineralisation of bone.

Is there a risk of osteoporosis because of menopause

Yes.  Approximately 50% of bone loss occurs in the first 5 to 7 years of menopause Thus, the risk of osteoporosis increases tremendously at menopause.


How does menopause affect the skeletal system (bones)

De-mineralisation of bone is potentially the most serious long-term consequence of human menopause. Peak bone mass is reached in the third decade of life. Thereafter there is a progressive reduction in bone mass, with an accelerated loss following menopause.  The precise mechanism of bone loss is uncertain. There is an increase in bone turnover, which disrupts the remodeling process, with bone resorption exceeding formation.

Asthma in Children: Symptoms and Risk Factors

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects more than one out of every 10 children in the U.S., and, for unknown reasons, it is steadily increasing. It can begin at any age, but most children have their first symptoms by age 5.

What Makes a Child More Likely to Develop Asthma?

There are many risk factors for developing childhood asthma. These include:

• Presence of allergies
• Family history of asthma or allergies
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Low birth weight
• Exposure to tobacco smoke before or after birth
• Being male
• Being black
• Being raised in a low-income environment

Why Are More Children Getting Asthma?

No one really knows why more and more children are developing asthma. Some experts suggest that children are being exposed to more and more allergens such as dust, air pollution, and second-hand smoke. These are factors that can all trigger asthma. Others suspect that children are not exposed to enough childhood illnesses to build up their immune system. It appears that a disorder of the immune system in which the body fails to make enough protective antibodies may play a role in causing asthma.

Still others suggest that decreasing rates of breastfeeding have prevented important substances of the immune system from being passed on to babies.

How Can I Tell If My Child Has Asthma?

Signs and symptoms to look for include:

• Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at night, or while laughing. It is important to know that cough may be the only symptom present.
• Less energy during play.
• Rapid breathing.
• Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting."
• Whistling sound (wheezing) when breathing in or out.
• See-saw motions (retractions) in the chest from labored breathing.
• Shortness of breath, loss of breath.
• Tightened neck and chest muscles.
• Feelings of weakness or tiredness.
• Dark circles under the eyes.
• Frequent headaches.
• Loss of appetite.

Keep in mind that not all children have the same asthma symptoms, and these symptoms can vary from asthma episode to the next episode in the same child. Also note that not all wheezing or coughing is caused by asthma.

In kids under 5 years of age, the most common cause of asthma-like symptoms is upper respiratory viral infections such as the common cold.

If your child has problem breathing, take him or her to the doctor immediately for an evaluation.

How Is Asthma Diagnosed In Children?

Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, in older children the disease can often be diagnosed based on your child's medical history, symptoms, and physical exam.

• Medical history and symptom description. Your child's doctor will be interested in any history of breathing problems you or your child may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung disease. It is important that you describe your child's symptoms -- cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness -- in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.
• Physical exam. During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs.
• Tests. Many children will also have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Also called lung function tests, these tests measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled. The results help the doctor determine how severe the asthma is. Generally, children younger than 5 are unable to perform pulmonary function tests. Thus doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms, and examination in making the diagnosis.

Other tests may also be ordered to help identify particular asthma triggers. These tests may include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to determine if sinus infections, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (a gastrointestinal condition that causes reflux of acid stomach contents into the esophagus or even into the lungs) is complicating asthma.