Hot flashes cause rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, headache, weakness, anxiety, nausea and the feeling of suffocation. As the most common symptom of menopause, hot flashes affect three of every four women, according to MayoClinic.com. Hot flashes occur because a lack of estrogen confuses the hypothalamus--the portion of the brain that controls body temperature--causing it to think the body is too hot. Although hot flashes and the resulting headaches occur as a natural part of aging, many women seek treatment to relieve these symptoms. Since traditional hormone replacement therapy poses many health risks, more women are searching for alternative treatments.
Acupuncture
Doctors classify acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medical practice, as an alternative medicine. Acupuncture strives to restore health by stimulating various points on the body in order to keep a balance between the cold, slow, passive part of the body and the hot, excited and active part. A 2007 National Health Interview Survey estimated approximately 3.1 million American adults used acupuncture the previous year, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Acupuncture continues to be debated, and most studies pertaining to acupuncture and the treatment of hot flashes and headaches fail to provide conclusive data. However, studies such as the one published by Borud and associates in the 2007 issue of "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine" report a 76 percent reduction in hot flashes and related symptoms with acupuncture treatment.
Herbal Remedies
When searching for alternative medicine to treat hot flashes and headaches, women often turn to herbal remedies. Dong quai, a member of the celery family, is often used to regulate hot flashes and related symptoms such as headache. Dong quai exhibits properties of a plant estrogen but may also stabilize blood vessels, therefore reducing symptoms.
Menopausal women have also used other herbal remedies for centuries, including ginseng, evening primrose oil, licorice root and chaste berry. Black cohosh, used by Native Americans, is used to relieve menstrual cramps and symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh acts on blood vessels, as well as reducing the effects of leutinizing hormone, therefore exhibiting an estrogenic effect, as described by Project AWARE.
Vitamins
The hormone imbalances that occur during menopause also affect the way a woman's body absorbs and uses important vitamins. Taking vitamin supplements can help reduce the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and headaches. A study published by Ziaei and associates in the 2007 issue of "Gynecology Obstetrics Investigation" reveals taking vitamin E significantly reduced the occurrence and severity of hot flashes. B vitamins help to reduce anxiety and tension, and can therefore help reduce the occurrence of headaches associated with menopause.
References
- Project AWARE: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- MayoClinic.com: Hot Flashes
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine":The Effect of TCM Acupuncture on Hot Flushes; Borud et. al.; 2007
- "Gynecology and Obstetrics Investigation": The Effect of Vitamin E on Hot Flashes; Ziaei et. al.; 2007
