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Hyperthyroidism
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Hyperthyroidism
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1. Symptoms
An overactive thyroid can become quite serious if it is not diagnosed in its early stages. It is hard to miss the signs of hyperthyroidism. Because the thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, including iodine, too much thyroid hormone in the bloodstream makes the body run too fast and work too hard. Nervousness and tremors, heart palpitations and excessive *sweating will result.
The increased metabolism generates enough energy to raise to raise core ody temperature. Appetite increases and, despite eating more foods, the person often loses weight. Brittle fingernails suggest hyperthyroidism. Diarrhea is also typical. In addition to the agitation and sleeplesness from overactivity, exhaustion and weakness occur as the body wears itself down. Goiter is common, though it does not occur in all case. Muscle pain, weakness and skin rashes are further symptoms.
Grave's disease is the most common type of hyperthyroidism. Wide-open, bulging eyes develop slowly, but become striking over time. An overactive thyroid can develop into a life-treatening crisis if it is not monitored regularly. Symptoms develop from high fever to extreme anxiety and collapse, wich eventually lead to a coma.
2. Causes
The cause of hyperthyroidism is unknown, but it is thought to be an autoimmune problem. For some reason, the immune system makes antibodyes against the thyroid gland. Delayed food allergies may be responsible for hyperthyroidism. The most common food allergies are to milk, dairy products, wheat, chocolate and stimulants such as coffee, tea, cigarette smoke, nicotine gums or patches and caffeinated soft drinks. Hypersensitivity to the mercury in the dental fillings is also suspected. Other causes of hyperthyroidism include extrem stress, a variety of other hormonal imbalances, bowel infections, and digestive problems, especially leaky gut syndrome.
Women are more prone to disease of the thyroid, since many cases tend to surface during periods of stress or hormonal change, as during adolescence, after pregnancy or with menopause. In the elderly, hyperthyroidism is more easily mistaken for depressionor cancer, because the symptoms of weight loss, fatigue and anxiety are misinterpreted.
3. Nutrition
Make sure to eat whole, fresh foods and avoid empty calories from refined food products. The accelerated metabolism caused by this condition leads to nutrient depletion and malabsorption. Green vegetables and whole grains are particularly important because theyare rich in B vitamins which help metabolize carbohydrates and proteins. Raw vegetables and fruits also provide enzymes, without which the body cannot absorb nutrients. Nutritional yeast is a good food source of B vitamin and other important nutrients. Avoid iodized salt and stimilants as coffee, tea and colas, which speed up the metabolism. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, plus kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, rutabagas, soy beans, spinach and turnips are beneficial because they suppress thyroid hormone production.. Onions are also helpful. The fluorine they contain blocks iodine receptors in the thyroid gland. Bitter almond's hydrocyanic acid content slows down metabolism, which is helpful in hyperthyroidism.
4. Nutritional Supplements
Natural treatments can often reduce of eliminate the need for drugs and surgery. High doses of lithium can suppress thyroid function more naturally than prescription drugs. PABA (paraaminobenzoic acid), one of the B-complex vitamins also helps weaken the impact of hyperthyroidismand other autoimmune diseases.
Low stomach acidity is common in autoimmune diseases, as is pancreatic-enzyme insufficiency. A comprehensive Digestive and Stool Analisys (CDSA) is a special lab test which can help your doctor or naturopath determine whether or not diet supplementation with betaine and pepsin, glutamine and/or pancreatin is necessary. Plant-based digestive enzymes might also help.
Since metabolism is dramatically increased in this condition, nutrients are used up more quickly than normal. For this reason, multivitamins provide the necessary replacements. In addition, add vitamins C and B complex for extra supprot from the stress of such overactivity. The essential fatty acids available in evening primrose oil often help treat autoimmune reactions; they provide building blocks for prostaglandins, which prevent inflammation in the body. Other important nutrients for thyroid health are vitamin C, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine and he amino acid, tyrosine.
Daily dosages:
Most important:
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Multivitamin, with minerals, as recommended on the label;
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Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg tablets three times daily;
Helpful:
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Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000mg;
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Vitamin B complex, 50 mg twice daily;
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PABA, 3,000-5,000 mg;
5. Herbal remedies:
Use herbs with dietary treatment to regulate metabolic activity.
Gypsyworth has the ability to reduce the activity of iodine, which causes hyperthyroidism. Take 5 drops of tincture in water three times daily.
Decoct equal parts of oak bark and male fern root in wine vinegar. Strain and rub on the throat twice daily.
Curcumin, an extract of turmeric, has potent anti-inflamatory effects in all autoimmune disorders
6. Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies can help control acute symptoms. Take one of the following in the 30c trength every hour for up to ten doses. If the condition does not improve in twelve hours, see a physician.
Take Iodum for an obsessive person who feels hot and is always in a hurry. The individual often has dark hair and eyes.
Belladonna is used for a flushed face and starring eyes.
A person with an earthy complexion who experiences constipation and palpitatins sould consider Natrum mur.
7. Tissue salts
Determining the cause of the condition is essential to regaining health. Using tissue salts is a temporary remedy.
8. External/Physical Therapies:
Regular thyroid function requires plenty of sleep and exercise.
Water stepping regulates thyroid function. Create a daily exercise routine that incorporates one minute of water stepping (with knees high up like a stork) and barefoot dew walking.
Induce perspiration through exercising, saunas and steam baths.
In case of shaky hands, increased unrest, apply clay wraps around the neck to soothe the thyroid. Alternate clay and cabbage poultices. Leave on for five minutes and increase time gradually.
9. Available Brand Name Products:
Nutritional Supplements
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Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors);
Herbal Remedies
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Curcumin-Power (Nature's Herbs);
(Ref: Siegfried Gursche, MH. Medical Editor-Zoltan Rona, MD, MSc. Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. Natural life publishing, Inc. WA, USA. Alive Publishing, Inc. BC, Canada)
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Posted on February 09, 2005
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NATURAL HEALING - ARCHIVES |
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