Thyroid

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism may be caused by problems within the thyroid gland that causes insufficient circulation of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms show a decrease in metabolism, with the slowing of mental and physical activity. Patients may experience a variety of differing symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, dryness of the skin, constipation, anorexia, anginal pain, anemia and disordered menstrual function.

Causes

The prime cause of Hypothyroidism is the deficiency of Iodine. In many cases, this disease is caused by pituitary or hypothalamic disease or certain medications.

Symptoms

• Menstrual problems
• High levels of lethargy
• Coldness in the hands and/or feet
• Frequent constipation
• Frequent headaches
• Dry skin
• Obesity
• Hypertension

Ayurvedic View

Ayurvedic treatment involves clearing these channels in order to balance body energies and restore the circulation of thyroxin. Herbal preparations are administered to increase the digestive fire at a cellular level, restoring proper metabolism.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Take adequate quantities of milk in your diet
• Increase intake of rice, barley, Bengal gram, moong dal and cucumber.
• Coconut oil helps in improving body metabolism in thyroid patients.
• Avoid heavy and sour foods.

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Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a metabolic disorder, characterized by the excessive production of thyroxin by the thyroid gland. The increased metabolism causes loss of weight and symptoms such as trembling and sweating of hands. Goitre may also be present.

Causes

Causes such as excessive intake of iodine or that of thyroxine, tumours of thyroid gland or that of pituitary gland, excess secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by pituitary gland, inflammation of thyroid (called thyroiditis), toxic goiter are generally there behind hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms

• Excessive hunger
• Frequent bowel movements
• Nervousness
• Intolerance towards heat
• Difficulty to concentrate
• Scanty or irregular menstruation
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Sleeplessness
• Excessive sweating
• Tremors in extremities

Ayurvedic View

According to Ayurveda, impaired digestion of food leads to blockage of the minute channels in the body causing an imbalance in the function of the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism reflects profound derangement of vata and pitta doshas. Impaired vayu and pitta go into various channels and systems of the body and cause the symptoms mentioned above. The two vitiated doshas overstimulate the gastric fire which leads to excessive hunger. Vayu has dynamic, light and unstable properties. Escalation of dynamic and unstable characteristics causes tremors in the extremities, sleeplessness, nervousness and difficulty to concentrate the mind. It is also marked by frequent bowel movement and irregular menstruation. The increased lightness of vayu makes the body lighter (because of weight loss). Since pitta is basically hot, the patient has excessive sweating and intolerance towards heat. The first line of Ayurvedic treatment in such conditions is to clear these channels in order to balance body energies and restore the correct production and circulation of thyroxin.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Include enough quantity of milk, pure ghee and milk products in food.
• Eat fresh fruits like banana and melons, and dry fruits like dates and walnuts, which reduce aggravated vata and pitta.
• Yoga, Pranayama and meditation also help in reigning over aggravated vata and pitta.

Home Remedies

• Mixed juices of cabbage, mustard greens, kale, spinach and radishes. Drink one cup of this mixed juice once daily.
• Take 10 gm of dhania seeds (coriander) and add it to a glass of water. Boil and allow it to cool. Strain the mixture and take twice a day to reduce high cholestrol levels.
• Mix equal quantities of long pepper (Pipali), black pepper and dry ginger powder. Consume half teaspoon twice a day with lukewarm water.