What Is Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism?
The thyroid gland, situated at the base of the neck below your Adam’s apple, secretes hormones that control metabolic activity in every cell of the body. Thyroid diseases affect about 2.5 % of Americans, or some 6.5 million people, most of whom are women. There are two types of thyroid hormone imbalance, hyperthyroidism (hyper- means “too much”) and hypothyroidism (hypomeans “too little”). Women are four times more likely than men to have Graves’ disease. Doctors treat Graves’ disease by trying to suppress thyroid hormone production. Any of several drugs may be prescribed, and sometimes, usually in drug-sensitive elderly people, radiation may be used to disable a portion of the thyroid gland itself.
What are Root Causes of Overactive Thyroid?
In a condition called Graves Disease – Hyperthyroidism, there are abnormally high blood levels of thyroid hormones circulating in the body. The disease was named after an Irish physician, Robert James Graves, who lived in the early 1800s and was the first to identify its telltale pattern of symptoms: enlarged thyroid gland, bulging eyes, rapid pulse, profuse sweating, fatigue, an increased metabolic rate leading to substantial weight loss and neurological symptoms such as restlessness, irritability and fine muscle tremors. Levels of circulating thyroid hormones depend on several things: availability of the mineral iodine, levels of TSH released by the pituitary gland and the health of the thyroid gland itself. TSH levels are further regulated by yet another part of the brain, the hypothalamus. All of this translates into a simple formula in a healthy individual: As TSH levels increase, the levels of thyroid hormone also increase, until a balance is reached. If the thyroid-is malfunctioning, its attempts to regulate hormone levels will throw the system further out of whack.
Common Symptoms for Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism means your body is producing too much thyroid hormone. This can result in heart palpitations, hot sensations, sweating, weight loss, chest pain, and muscle weakness. Hyperthyroidism, overaction of the thyroid. Features weight loss, increased appetite, palpitations, anxiety, irritability, dislike of heat, sweating, and infrequent menstruation. Untreated it may lead to heart failure. Obesity or thinness is sometimes also the result of disturbances of the thyroid or pituitary glands. Habitual abortion and goitre can be due to deficient functioning of the thyroid. In the U.K. researchers discovered that one in ten people suffering from Parkinson’s disease also suffered from hyperthyroidism. Overproduction of hormones in the thyroid gland, which may follow emotional or physical stress, results in toxic diffuse goiter (Grave’s disease) or toxic nodular goiter (Plummer’s disease), both of which are characterized by nervousness, sweating, weight loss, and hyperactivity.
13 Natural Ways for Harmonizing Hyperthyroidism
If you have symptoms of Graves disease, see a doctor and take the prescribed medication. Do not attempt self-treatment, even though it worked for you. In addition to following your doctor’s advice, and with his permission, you might also try these herbs. Hyperthyroidism is believed to be caused by Heat in the Liver, and marine plants and seaweed are prescribed.
- Bugleweed: Bugleweed has a considerable folk history for treating thyroid conditions, and modern research supports this use. Bugleweed is specific for over-active thyroid glands where there is tightness of breath, palpitations and shaking. This herb inhibits iodine metabolism and reduces the amount of hormone that’s produced by thyroid cells. Leaf extracts are more active than root extracts. The recommended oral preparation is a tincture (alcohol extract) rather than a tea.
- Kelp and Seaweeds: Kelp is excellent for the thyroid gland and goiters. Kelp is best dietary sources of iodine. The chief store-house of iodine in the body is the thyroid gland. The essential thyroxine, which is secreted by this gland, is made by the circulating iodine. Thyroxine is a wonder chemical which controls the basic metabolism and oxygen consumption of tissues. It increases the heart rate as well as urinary calcium excretion. Iodine regulates the rate of energy production and body weight and promotes proper growth. You can buy powdered kelp in health food stores to sprinkle on your food as a seasoning. Among the Japanese who consume a great deal of kelp, thyroid disease is practically unknown, but among the Japanese who have become Westernized and eat little or no kelp, thyroid disease is on the rise.
- Motherwort (Leonorus Cardiaca): Natural Cures for Hyperthyroidism Motherwort herb calms heart palpitations, hot flashes, anxiety, skin hypersensitivity, and thyroid enlargement. Motherwort is a key remedy for palpitations and irregular heartbeat, especially when they are linked with anxiety or an overactive thyroid. Small, frequent doses (a few drops of tincture) can sometimes be sufficient to control such problems. It is prescribed by herbal practitioners for angina, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure.
- Viparitakarani (Inverted action pose): This yoga posture helps the functioning of the cervical nerves, ganglia and the thyroid also gets improved. Sarvangasana also stimulates the thyroid and para-thyroid glands.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is necessary for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Phenylalanine: This is essential to the production of hormone adrenalie; to the production of the thyroid secretion and the hair and skin pigment, melanin. It is effective in weight control because of its effect on the thyroid. Its use before meals suppresses the appetite substantially. Patients taking half a teaspoon of the powder 30 minutes before each meal, lose from a quarter to half a pound a day. It is also essential for the efficient functioning of kidneys and bladder. Major source are nuts, seeds, carrots, parsley and tomatoes.
- Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris): A quarter-pound serving of self-heal greens with bugleweed tubers, spiced up with basil, oregano, rosemary and spearmint, should contain significant quantities of the compound rosmarinic acid, which helps suppress thyroid hormone production.
- Radish (Raphanus sativus) and cruciferous vegetables: All of the cruciferous vegetables gently and naturally suppress thyroid hormone production, but radishes do it best. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas and turnips. Radishes are used in Russia precisely for this purpose.
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): Much loved as a lemon-scented infusion that “makes the heart merry”, lemon balm’s soothing qualities quiet the heart and an overactive mind. Valuable in situations where long-term anxiety edges into depression, lemon balm is known to inhibit thyroid function and makes a useful remedy for a slightly overactive thyroid gland. The herb will help in mild hyperthyroid states, especially when the heartbeat is irregular or too fast.
- Mullein Leaf: Mullein leaf is also used for hyperthyroidism and reduces glandular inflammation. Take each in tea or capsule form three times a day.
- A supplement of essential fatty acids three times daily may help decrease excessive thyroid hormones. The amino acid L-tyrosine (500 mg 2 times daily) is a precursor to the thyroid hormones, meaning it becomes transformed into thyroxin and triodthyronine. The thyroid gland has a high need for vitamin B1, especially when over activity is the problem. Niacin, or vitamin B3, is needed for smooth functioning of all the endocrine glands. B6 improves iodine assimilation. Taking a vitamin B complex (50 mg) once daily should help nourish both hypo and hyperthyroid conditions.
- Overeating due to Hyperthyroidism: If your overeating is due to hyperthyroidism, which is a metabolic disorder, Ayurveda suggests using kaishore guggulu. This herbal compound helps to regulate metabolism and pacifies overactive thyroid.
- Bhramari Pranayam: It improves the melodiousness of the voice. The humming vibrates the nervous system and is a form of sound therapy for the brain. It is also good for the thyroid, thymus, and parathyroid glands. Do ten cycles.