Thyroid and Ayurved
Thyroid disorders
A Thyroid disease is a medical condition impairing the function of the thyroid. Different thyroid diseases include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. These diseases have a large range of symptoms and affect all ages.
Thyroid disorders include
- hyperthyroidism (abnormally increased activity),
- hypothyroidism (abnormally decreased activity)
- Thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid
- thyroid nodules, which are generally benign thyroid neoplasms (tumours), but may be thyroid cancers.
All these disorders may give rise to a goiter, that is, an enlarged thyroid.
Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Below are major symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight (despite reduced food intake)
- Coarse, dry hair and dry skin
- Hair loss
- Sensitivity to cold
- Muscle cramps and aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased libido
- Slowed speech (severe cases)
- Jaundice (severe cases)
- Increase in tongue size (severe cases)
Diagnosis
– Blood Tests
– Ultrasound
– Radioiodine scanning
– Biopsy
Treatment in Modern Medicine
– Allopathy Medicinal treatment
– Surgery
– Radioiodine therapy
THYROID IN AYURVEDA
In Ayurveda, there is different concept i.e Agni (Factor responsible for Metabolism). The concept ‘Agni’ is the “fire,” that drives all digestion and metabolism in the medical practice of Ayurveda. The digestive and absorption process is called Pachakagni (digestive fire).
When Vata etc Doshas vitiates body & dhatus of body, then there is disturbance in systems of Dhatus by disturbing minute (cellular level) metabolism in them. And these changes leads to Kshay or vruddhi of dhatus as well as doshas which causes diseases.( how doshas vitiates dhatus,body? – is another basic part from this article)
So we can say that, Ayurveda think very deeply about basic conditions of Diseases.
According to Modern Medicine, Metabolism is controlled by the endocrine glands a term applied to certain organs whose function is to secrete into the blood or lymph, a substance which plays an important role in relation to general chemical changes or to the activities of the other organs at a distance. The chief endocrine glands are the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary body, parathyroid glands, pancreas, ovaries, and the testes.
The thyroid gland is situated in the front of the neck and produces a hormone thyroxin which plays a very important role in regulating the general metabolism of the body.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR THYROID
Ayurvedic preparations and Panchakarma therapies are administered to increase the digestive fire at a cellular level, restoring proper metabolism.
In Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center , we treat the patients with the most ethnic & holistic way of Ayurvedic treatment.
Treatment is given to every patient with different aspect after careful examination and nadi parikshan (examination of pulse). The treatment have different modes viz. Internal medication treatment, external applications, Panchakarma and allied Processes (Purification processes) which contain Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Raktamoksna, Nasya, Shirodhara etc. according to dosha & prakruti of the patient.
( for more- please consult Amruta Ayurveda’s Doctors at Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center, thane Mumbai)
Diet and Other Regimen:
According to Charaka, goitre (Galganda) does not strike those who take milk in adequate quantities. In addition old rice, barley, moong dal, Bengal gram, cucumber, sugar juice, and milk are recommended for a goitre patient. Sour and heavy substances are contraindicated.
Yoga for Thyroid diseases:
Long before medical science ever knew about the existence of thyroid glands, yogis had devised practices, which not only maintained healthy glands and metabolism, but also were part of a system of enlightenment.
- Sarvangasna(shoulder stand) is the most suitable and effective asana for the thyroid gland.
- Matsyasana,
- Halasana
(Should be done under expert guidance of Ayurveda Doctor because all these practices should be avoided in severe thyroitoxicosis, physical debility or a goitre that is enlarged very much or in contraindicated conditions, where medical therapy is obviously the first line of treatment to be given.)
Other effective asanas include Surya Namskara, Pavanamuktasana, Suptavajrasana, head and neck exercises, yoga mudra etc.
Pranayama for Thyroid diseases:
The most effective Pranayama for thyroid problems is Ujjayi.
Nadi shodhana pranayama is useful in re-balancing metabolism.
(should be done under expert supervision)
All Type of Thyroid treatments & panchkarma are available at Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center, Thane, Mumbai, India. Mob – 9869105594