Many pregnant women suffer from forgetfulness and blurry thinking, a phenomenon often known as “pregnancy brain.”
According to the British newspaper The Independent, a new study has revealed a biological mechanism that explains this condition, as they attribute it to a specific neural pathway that changes as a result of the continuous rise in estrogen levels, which is common during pregnancy.
Through experiments conducted on laboratory mice that were genetically modified to mimic these persistently high levels of estrogen, researchers observed temporary memory impairment without any accompanying changes in mood.
It turns out that this defect is caused by a disturbance in a neural circuit linking the hypothalamus, which regulates basic vital processes in the body, and the hippocampus, an area in the brain that plays a decisive role in forming memories.
High estrogen stimulated neurons in the hypothalamus, which in turn inhibited hippocampal activity and disrupted memory function.
This mental fogginess is more evident in the late stages of pregnancy, and may continue until after birth before gradually fading.
It affects the ability to retain short- and long-term information, including spatial, social, and verbal memory, such as remembering familiar names, words, or information.
“It's not a serious condition, but it affects daily performance and self-confidence,” says Dr. Zheng Sun, a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine who specializes in endocrinology and molecular biology and one of the leaders of the study published in the journal Science Bulletin.
“Common examples include forgetting why you entered a room, misplacing an item, losing the flow of a conversation, or needing constant reminders,” Sun adds. “It is a widespread phenomenon, as about 80 percent of pregnant women notice these changes.”
But the researchers emphasized that these results do not mean that pregnancy makes women “less intelligent,” as the effects are limited to specific cognitive tasks.
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, cold weather doesn't just make you feel cold; It may also affect body functions and cardiovascular health, in ways that may not always be noticeable. The cold may cause muscle spasm, and may be accompanied by a feeling of difficulty breathing in some people. It can also affect blood pressure, especially in people who suffer from high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is usually higher during the winter compared to the summer. In some people, it may rise to dangerous levels, so it is important to understand the reasons why cold weather affects blood pressure, and to know the steps that can be taken to help maintain it within healthy levels.
Why does blood pressure rise in winter?
Blood pressure is usually higher in winter and lower in summer. This is mainly due to the effect of low temperatures on the blood vessels. The cold causes them to narrow temporarily, which makes the passage of blood through the narrowed veins and arteries require greater pressure. As a result, blood pressure may rise.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, the effect of weather is not limited to temperatures alone; Blood pressure can also be affected by sudden changes in weather conditions, such as the passage of a weather front or the occurrence of a storm.
The body, including blood vessels, may respond to sudden changes in humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloud cover, or wind speed, in a way similar to its response to cold weather. Changes in blood pressure related to weather conditions are more common in people aged 65 years and older.
Other factors may raise blood pressure in winter
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to keep track of your blood pressure readings as the seasons change. Because high pressure during winter is not related to cold alone; Rather, a group of seasonal factors may interfere with it.
Among the reasons that may contribute to high blood pressure during the winter:
Weight gain: Weight gain may negatively affect blood pressure, especially if this is accompanied by decreased physical activity during the winter months.
Eating too much salty foods: Eating foods rich in salt may increase during holidays and special occasions, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
Decreased physical activity: Cold weather may prompt some people to reduce their physical activity or stop practicing outdoor activities, which may affect blood pressure control.
Therefore, monitoring blood pressure during the winter is no less important than adhering to healthy habits that help maintain it within the appropriate levels.
When should you consult a doctor?
If you have questions about how weather affects blood pressure, it's best to consult your health care team. You should also inform your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your blood pressure readings, as the dose of your blood pressure medication may need to be adjusted or the medication itself may need to be changed.
In all cases, do not change the doses of blood pressure medications, stop taking them, or replace them on your own; Consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your treatment.
Simple winter strategies to help control blood pressure
A set of simple steps can be followed to help keep blood pressure under control during the winter, including:
Dress warmly
Wearing appropriate clothing for cold weather helps protect the body from low temperatures. Hats, gloves and warm shoes can help reduce the effect of cold on the body and the constriction of blood vessels in response to low temperatures.
Stay active and moving
It may be difficult to exercise outside during cold weather, but that does not mean you should stop exercising. Exercises that can be done indoors help enhance heart health and maintain physical activity when outdoor activities are not possible.
Stick to a healthy diet
Eating a balanced diet is an important factor to help control blood pressure. Controlling stress and getting good sleep also play an important role in maintaining overall health and supporting heart health.
Take your medications as directed by your doctor
If you use medications to treat high blood pressure, it is important to take them as directed by your doctor. Adherence to treatment helps prevent seasonal high blood pressure and keep its levels under control.
As winter approaches, many people tend to have fewer opportunities to be exposed to the sun, whether due to shorter daylight hours or spending more time indoors and wearing clothing that covers most of the body. This, along with other factors, may lead to low levels of vitamin D in some people, which makes this chapter an appropriate time to pay attention to the sources of obtaining this vitamin and ways to detect its deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency may not cause obvious symptoms in many people, but when symptoms do appear, they can include fatigue, bone or muscle pain, and muscle weakness, and low levels may also be associated with recurrence of infection in some cases.
What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency may be silent without obvious symptoms, especially when the decrease is limited. In cases where signs appear, they may include:
-Fatigue and exhaustion.
- Bone pain.
- Muscle pain or weakness.
- Recurrence of infection in some people.
Symptoms vary from one person to another, and the presence of one or more of them does not necessarily mean a vitamin D deficiency, as they can be linked to other conditions.
Is winter sun enough to get vitamin D?
Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, but its benefit varies depending on a number of factors. As winter approaches, it may become more difficult for some people to get enough UV rays needed to produce the vitamin.
The amount of vitamin D produced by the body is affected by several factors, including the duration of exposure to the sun, the time of exposure, skin color, and the clothing that covers the body, in addition to geographical location.
Therefore, exposure to the sun during the winter may not be enough for everyone to meet the body’s vitamin D needs. Increasing exposure to the sun for long periods is not an appropriate solution to compensate for the deficiency, given the known risks of excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays.
How can we confirm vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency cannot be confirmed by symptoms alone. Blood analysis is the method used to evaluate blood levels and determine whether a person suffers from a deficiency that needs treatment.
When there is a deficiency, the doctor can determine the appropriate way to compensate for it, whether through diet or nutritional supplements, according to the level of the vitamin, health condition, and other factors that may affect needs.
It is not recommended to take high doses of vitamin D supplements without medical advice, because excessive intake may lead to high levels of calcium in the blood and health complications.
Does everyone need vitamin D supplements in the winter?
Not necessarily. The need for supplements depends on the person's level of vitamin D and the risk factors associated with its deficiency, and the existence of a deficiency should not be assumed just because winter has arrived.
While sunlight remains an important source of vitamin D, it may not provide a sufficient amount for some people during the winter months. Therefore, determining the need for supplements is more accurate after evaluating the condition and conducting analysis when needed, rather than relying on symptoms or sun exposure alone.
