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Remedies for Hot Flashes
Remedies for hot flashes include adjusting your lifestyle, reducing stress, and eating right. Reduce StressMost women with hot flashes say that stress intensifies the experience. It's no surprise that you can use certain behavioral techniques to reduce stress occurrences of hot flashes.Paced Respiration Try paced respiration techniques. Paced respiration is quite easy. Inhale breathing deep down into your abdomen. Try breathing in for 5 seconds then breath out for 5 seconds. The normal rate is about 10 to 15 breaths a minute. To get the right feel, put one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest. Make sure the hand on your abdomen rises and falls with each breath, and the hand on your chest doesn't rise or fall. Practice this breathing technique every day for 15 minutes. Whenever you feel a hot flash coming on, remember to slow down your breathing. Prayer and visualization Meditation, prayer, visualization, and affirmation techniques have been used by many women as remedies for hot flashes and reduce menopause symptoms. Visualization involves imagining that the changes you want to happen in your body are already happening. For example, you can visualize the hot flashes leaving your body through your feet. For affirmations, you can use a verbal approach. For example, you can say to yourself, "My body is cool and comfortable." What you don't want to do is say this statement in a negative way. For example, "I don't want to be hot and uncomfortable", just reinforces hot flashes. Also, always conceptualize in the present, not the future. For example, don't say, "I'm going to be cool", because this statement is about the future, not the present moment. Acupuncture, an alternative approachAcupuncture has also proven helpful in treating hot flashes. If you're someone suffering from menopausal symptoms, and not a good candidate for hormone therapy, acupuncture treatment could be an excellent option.BioflavinoidsBioflavinoids have been used to treat hot flashes as well as vaginal dryness, bladder problems, and water retention. One of the best sources of bioflavinoids is the inner peel of citrus fruits. Bioflavinoids are also found in many other sources, such as buckwheat greens to bourbon.Herbs for hot flashesMany women have found hormone-rich herbs aggravate their hot flashes, and the best herbs for hot flashes are cooling herbs such as chickweed and elder. Also, liver helpers such as milk thistle and dandelion help with hot flash relief.Many women swear by the herbs black cohosh, vitex, or dong quai. When it comes to herbal supplementation, one size doesn't fit all, so do the research and talk to your doctor to find out what works for you. Black Cohosh This plant is also known as black snakeroot, bugbane, and squawroot. The root supplies the building blocks for the steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Red Clover Red clover contains the daidzein and genistein found in soy as well as formononetin and biochanin. Red clover has been marketed to relieve hot flashes and menopause symptoms. Dong Quai This drug is used in the East to help equalize high and low levels of estrogen. Dong quai can also be helpful in dilating coronary blood vessels and preventing muscle spasms. Generally, it's not a good idea to combine this herb with others. Other herbs are less well studied and it's not clear what combinations are good or what can harm you. It's best to check with your doctor or health care provider to see what remedies for hot flashes are best for you. Remedies for Hot Flashes to Hot Flashes Hot Flashes to BHRT-Resource Home
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