The Pauses
We so commonly talk about menopause and sometimes andropause, but Dr. Eric Braverman points out that we experience many “pauses” as we age.
“Thyropause” starts generally in the 50’s and when the production of thyroid hormone and calcitonin is reduced.
“Thymopause” starts even earlier. The thymus gland aids out immune system by directing the function of T lymphocytes. Although this continues life long, at puberty the thymus already starts to shrink and accumulate fatty tissue.
The 40’s mark the beginning of “cardiopause” as the maximum heart rate achieved during exercise has now peaked. Along with “cardiopause” is “vasculopause” which is characterized by high blood pressure and diminished blood flow.
From the 50’s to the 70’s there is a marked decline in lung function or “pulmonopause”. In fact, the effectiveness of breathing is a prime indicator of longevity. Stress, anxiety and exposure to pollutants negatively affect pulmonary function.
“Adrenopause” characterized by diminished DHEA begins in the 30’s to 60’s. By the 70’s cortisol levels soar. This unhealthy state has even earned cortisol the title of the “death hormone” There are so many issues associated with diminished adrenal function, including changes in focus, memory and attention, depression, lack of energy, loss of libido (especially with women), anxiety, panic attacks and increased appetite – symptoms that we readily associate with asing.
The loss of muscle mass is another hallmark of aging. By the 90s, 20-40 % of muscle mass is lost. This is “somatopause”. Loss of muscle strength and mental ability accompany the muscle loss.
As young as the 30’s, the first “menopause” symptoms can occur in women and are characterized by dramatic drops in testosterone and progesterone. Estradiol losses may start in the early 30%. Diminished bone density, less abundance of hair, cognitive dysfunctions accompany the loss of the ovarian or sex hormones. “Andropause” or the male equivalent starts around the mid 40’s and continues over the next 30 years with similar effects.
Up until the age of 30, bone mass increases or is at optimal. Then begins “osteopause”. While availability is a major issue, the ability to absorb and use nutrients has also started to decline.
“Dermopause” is the loss of skin thickness, flexibility or elasticity related to the ability to make collagen . The skin becomes dehydrated.
The above are all physical pauses but more important are the pauses related to brain function. “Electropause” refers to the loss of voltage, speed, rhythm, and synchrony. For instance, just a 10% drop in voltage can signal signs of depression. At 90%, dementia is a reality.
“Biopause” relates to the brain mediated control of the cascade of all the other pauses.
As the glands that are the masters to the sex hormones, adrenal hormones, thyroid hormones and more, “pituitary pause” refers to the decline in pituitary and hypothalamus functions.
“Sensory pause” refers to the loss of sensory functions. Hearing starts to decline in the 20’s to 40’s. The sense of smell starts diminishing in the 40’s and more rapidly declines after age 65. Nearsighted increases in the 40’s but the ability to see fine details starts to decline in the 70’s
Neuropsychiatric disorders can occur at any age but are especially prevalent in those over 85 affecting as many as 50 These include cognitive dysfunction and dementia, substance abuse and personality disorders.
This sounds like a grime line up. However there is no reason we can’t slow down the progression in any of these pauses. Dr. Braverman writes that the key area is the brain and our ability to make and use the neurotransmitter hormones in a balanced fashion. These hormones are GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin. He writes about the personality differences as used in the Meyer’s – Briggs test and relates the types to differences in the dominance of one of these neurotransmitters. His book is brimming with questionnaires to help you identify your personality type and neurotransmitter dominance.
Additionally, he gives guidance to “bending one’s chemistry the right way” and that is to use diet, exercise, nutrients, bioidentical hormones and making changes in life style and environment. Further he invites us to explore technology to positively affect our brain chemistry.
#ComissionEarned