New Warning Sign For Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study has found that women experiencing frequent hot flashes and night sweats during menopause are at a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, shows that middle-aged women with persistent menopausal symptoms are 50% more likely to develop diabetes compared to women who do not have these symptoms. The study highlights an important connection between vasomotor symptoms (such as hot flashes and night sweats) and increased health risks, though the exact cause is still not fully understood.
The study analyzed data from over 2,700 women who were part of a long-term national health study in the United States. These women were initially recruited in the mid-1990s at the typical age for menopause, between 42 and 52, and were followed for about 17 years. The researchers found that a significant portion of the women reported experiencing menopausal symptoms, with 28% reporting them for one to five days per week, and 10% experiencing them six or more days a week. The women who reported frequent hot flashes and night sweats had a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
Rebecca Thurston, senior researcher on the study, explained that these findings build upon growing evidence showing that vasomotor symptoms have a long-term impact on women’s cardiometabolic health. While the study does not provide a clear explanation for the link between these symptoms and diabetes risk, previous research has suggested that hot flashes and night sweats are also associated with an increased risk of heart disease, which shares several risk factors with diabetes, such as inflammation, poor sleep, and weight gain.
Lead investigator Monique Hedderson noted that menopause has long been an understudied area in women’s health, and more research is needed to uncover why frequent and severe vasomotor symptoms are associated with such significant health risks. The researchers plan to focus future studies on women who experience the most severe menopausal symptoms and to explore how these symptoms may be linked to other health conditions, such as cognitive decline.
The next phase of this research will look at how vasomotor symptoms relate to other outcomes, including cognitive function. This ongoing investigation aims to improve understanding of the broader health risks that come with menopause and to find ways to help women better manage their symptoms to improve long-term health outcomes.
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