GOOD MEDICINE
By Dr. Hyun K. Lee
Hot flashes are a part of life that no woman looks forward to. They are an uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing attribute of menopause that are usually accompanied by facial flushing, sweating, emotional changes, and sometimes a rapid heartbeat.
Western medicine defines hot flashes as a result of a hormonal imbalance during menopause. Korean Constitutional Medicine defines it as imbalanced kidney and heart functions.
The kidneys control the element of water throughout the body and the heart controls the fire element. Water is a heavier, downward-moving energy, and fire is an upward-moving energy. In a healthy, menstruating woman, fire and water are balanced and ever-circulating, but as a woman enters her menopausal years, this balance is thrown off. The water energy is no longer being pushed upwards by the fire energy, and the fire energy is not drawn downward by the water energy.
The effect of the body’s fire energy not being pulled downwards causes the hot flash, facial flushing, sweating, and rapid heartbeat. In this instance, the overabundance of fire energy disrupts the lung energy, which controls the skin and pores. If this energy is lowered, the skin’s holding energy becomes weak and allows for the sweating that accompanies the hot flash. The fire energy also disrupts liver function, which causes emotional changes like anger and anxiety.
Some women opt for western medicine’s approach, which is hormone replacement. Studies have shown that these women may have a higher risk of cancer, but Korean Constitutional Medicine believes this risk is increased if the woman’senergy is already quite imbalanced at the time she begins hormone replacement.
Happily, the treatment for hot flashes is very effective. Building the body’s water energy is the first step. This is done with acupuncture and herbs. Balancing this energy naturally builds and controls the fire energy as well. In addition, these treatments also work very well for other menopausal symptoms and allow for a smooth change of life.
Menopause is a natural occurrence and it is best to treat it as naturally as possible. Being kind to your body, listening to its needs, and maintaining its balance will see you more pleasantly to your next stage of life.
Dr. Lee’s office is located at 175 McMurray Road, Suite G, Buellton. Dr. Lee also has offices in Los Angeles and Paso Robles. To make an appointment call (805) 693-5162 or (310) 666-8021.
