Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the condition in which, there is increased amount of the thyroid hormone in the body. This is generally due to over-activity of the thyroid gland in the human body. Thyroid gland is the gland that is situated at front side of the neck somewhere nearer to the voice-box. The gland play important role in the metabolism of the body. Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food particles into the consumable form and release the energy for its routine functions. Hyperthyroidism should be treated as early as possible and fortunately, we have natural treatments for hyperthyroidism that can effectively treat condition without producing any side or harmful effects.

In hyperthyroidism, the metabolism is highly affected and body has faster digestion and assimilation of the food. Whatever the cause, hyperthyroidism causes many problems in the body and it becomes necessary to treat it before it turns into any complications, which in turn, becomes difficult to treat.

Apart from radioactive iodine therapy, surgical removal of the thyroid gland and anti-hyperthyroid drugs, there are some other natural and safe way to treat hyperthyroidism and all those symptoms that are related to the disease. There have been continuous researches performed in order to know about the role of various herbs and natural therapies to treat hyperthyroidism. Research confirms that the traditional wisdom gives favorable results in the condition and hence, they are to be evaluated further (Auf'mkolk M, Ingbar JC, Kubota K, et al. 'Extracts and auto-oxidized constituents of certain plants inhibit the receptor-binding and the biological activity of graves' immunoglobulins'. Endocrinology 1985; 116:1687-1693)

Some of the herbs have favorable effect for hyperthyroidism. For instance, Lycopus europea, is useful treating hyperthyroidism. There are some clinical trials and studies suggest that bugleweed can reduce thyroid hormone as it increases the levels of TSH, the hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland and orders it to produce thyroid hormone). The herb also impairs the thyroid hormone synthesis. Another effective treatment includes L-Carnitine. This is an amino acid that blocks the effects of thyroid gland that is over-active. It blocks the entry of excess thyroid hormones into the liver cells' nucleus, neurons and many other bodily structures that are targeted by excessive thyroid hormones.

Some of the naturopaths suggest trying magnet therapy and reflexology that can be very helpful treating hyperthyroidism. Acupressure and acupuncture also play important role in treating various endocrine disorders including hyperthyroidism. These are typical Chinese system of medicines that describe that our body has various acupoints that are regulators for the body's negative and positive energies. In diseased condition, negative energy is more than positive and treating such acupoints in a special way can balance those energies and can cure various health ailments including hyperthyroidism.

Some of the health experts suggest taking Vitamin supplements. Vitamins such as B12 and C significantly restore body hormones and enzymes including thyroid excessive hormones. Vitamin B12 depletion is occasionally considered as the factor giving raise to hyperthyroidism and its related symptoms.

By: Raj Kumar

Labels: for thyroid, goitre, hyperthyroid, low thyroid, overactive thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroid hormone, thyroiditis, thyroxine, underactive thyroid

Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (called T3 and T4). It controls your metabolism , which is how your body turns food into energy. Hyperthyroidism can significantly accelerate your body's metabolism, causing sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability. It also affects your heart, muscles, bones, and cholesterol.

Other rare causes include excess dietary iodine consumption, abuse of thyroid hormone medication when patients overdose on thyroid hormone pills (either accidentally or purposefully because they think it will help them lose weight - a fallacy because taking too much thyroid hormone can be dangerous and life threatening), overactive metastatic thyroid cancer, or rare diseases of the ovary or testicles that can cause the thyroid to be over-stimulated. Or you may have no symptoms at all. Your doctor may discover that you have hyperthyroidism while doing a test for another reason.

Several treatment options are available if you have hyperthyroidism. Doctors use anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine to slow the production of thyroid hormones. Although hyperthyroidism can be fatal if it's ignored, most people respond well once hyperthyroidism is diagnosed and treated.

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

The common Causes of Hyperthyroidism :

The body recognizes the thyroid antigens as foreign, and a chronic immune reaction ensues, resulting in lymphocytic infiltration of the gland and progressive destruction of functional thyroid tissue.

Drugs such as amiodarone, interferon alpha, thalidomide, and stavudine have also been associated with primary hypothyroidism.

One such medication is lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you're taking medication, ask your doctor about its effect on your thyroid gland.

Other types of 'thyroiditis' (thyroid inflammation) caused by infection or other rare conditions.

Failure of the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone to stimulate the thyroid gland ( secondary hypothyroidism ) is a less common cause of hypothyroidism.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a disease of the thyroid gland where the body's immune system attacks the gland.

Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Some Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism :

Fatigue

Weakness

Increased appetite

Constipation

Increased sweating

Inability to tolerate cold.

Heat intolerance

Cold skin.

Weight loss

Muscle cramps

Restlessness

Menstrual irregularities in women

Slow body movements.

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

Myxedema coma is a medical emergency that occurs when the body's level of thyroid hormones becomes extremely low.

If a serious illness or infection triggered your hypothyroidism, your thyroid function most likely will return to normal when you recover.

After replacement therapy has begun, report any symptoms of increased thyroid activity ( hyperthyroidism ) such as restlessness, rapid weight loss, and sweating.

Surgery is indicated for large goiters that compromise tracheoesophageal function; surgery is rarely needed in patients with hypothyroidism and is more common in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

If you have mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism , you may not need treatment but should be watched for signs of worsening hypothyroidism current research does not provide clear evidence to support treatment, and many health professionals disagree about whether mild hypothyroidism should be treated.

Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is associated with preeclampsia, anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, cardiac ventricular dysfunction, spontaneous abortion, low birth-weight, impaired cognitive development, and fetal mortality even mild disease may be associated with adverse affects for offspring.

Sometimes hypothyroidism is a temporary condition in older children. (This is not so for children who are born with an under-active thyroid.

By: Juliet Cohen

Labels: for thyroid, goitre, hyperthyroid, low thyroid, overactive thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroid hormone, thyroiditis, thyroxine, underactive thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a condition under which production of thyroid hormone is far less than usual. The purpose of thyroid hormone is to focus on the body's metabolism and when that is hit, it results in slow metabolism. Slow metabolism affects the growth, development and many cellular processes which can have adverse effect on your body. Many people are victims to this disease, women in general bear the brunt most of the times. The increasing age is another reason to be affected by this disease. In early stages of hypothyroidism, there are hardly any symptoms to detect it early on. When left untreated it can cause many health problems including obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

One of the common reasons for hypothyroidism is due to problems with the thyroid gland. On other occasion it happens due to some problem in the brain or pituitary gland. Other causes for this problems is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, increased amount of drugs, treatment of hyperthyroidism, treatment for thyroid tumors, iodine deficiency, family history, old age, radiation and postpartum thyroiditis.

Symptoms which detect hypothyroidism are fatigue, exhaustion, tiredness, weight gain, dry or coarse hair, hair loss, muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches, constipation, depression, irritability, lapse of memory, sensitivity towards cold, puffy face, abnormal menstrual cycles and decreased libido. Many of these symptoms go unnoticed but as you get older these become a real threat.

Natural Treatments

Kanchanara - Bauhinia veriegata (purple mountain ebony) is mainly useful for functioning of thyroid. Other herbs like jatamansi, brahmi guggulu, shilajita, gokshura, punarnava are some of the other useful herbs.

You can try this home remedy which may help your problem. Make a fine paste of vegetable jalakumbhi (Pistia Straticies) to be applied over your neck to reduce the swelling.

Coconut oil has fatty acid chains which may help to improve your metabolism.

Yoga

You can try yoga which has been effective even before the existence of medical science. Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) can be a very suitable asana to help your thyroid gland. The pressure applied on the gland provides the necessary boost to the thyroid gland. Once you have done sarvangasana you should perform matsyasana, also beneficial to improve your thyroid gland.

These asanas should not be practiced if you are suffering from severe thyroitoxicosis or enlarged goiter. You can include Surya Namskara, Pavamuktasana to help you with this problem. One of the best ways to deal with thyroid problems is to practice Ujjayi Pranayama.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

By kevinp

Labels: for thyroid, goitre, hyperthyroid, low thyroid, overactive thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroid hormone, thyroiditis, thyroxine, underactive thyroid