Graves Disease Ayurvedic Treatment

Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disorder, where the antibodies attacks body’s own cells (here, cells in thyroid gland) and a common cause of hyperthyroidism (increased production of thyroid hormone). It is more common among women and people below 40years of age. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown.

Graves Disease Signs and Symptoms

The person with Grave’s disease often feels irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, heat intolerance, increased sweating, enlarged thyroid gland, tremor of hands/ fingers, increased heartbeat and bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, bulged eyes (Grave’s ophthalmopathy), irregular menstruation, reduced sexual desire, erectile dysfunction and thick red skin on shin and upper surface of feet. In Grave’s ophthalmopathy, there may be pain in eyes, light sensitivity, gritty feeling in eyes, swelling over eyelid, redness in eye, double vision and vision lost.

Graves Disease Ayurvedic Analysis

Vatavruddhi (increased vata) causes emaciation of body, vepathu (tremors), sleep issues, fatigue, osteoporosis, skin discolorations etc. Galaganda is a disease where vata, kapha and medas are vitiated. The symptoms are gradual enlargement of gala (neck), pain on gala, shosha (emaciation), virasa asyatha (tastelessness) etc.

Graves Disease Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Vata is vitiated by over activity, excess intake of bitter, pungent and astringent tastes, certain vyadhi (diseases) etc. Kapha is vitiated by excess intake of sweet, salt and sour tastes, sedentary habit etc. the causative factors of medovriddhi are sedentary habit, intake of oily/ heavy to digest food, consumption of certain alcohol etc. problems with Vyadhikshamatwa is another possible cause of this condition.

Possible Complications of Graves Disease

The possible complications of Grave’s disease are thyroid storm (accelerated hyperthyroidism), heart diseases, problems with pregnancy such as pre-term birth, miscarriage etc, and thinning of bones. Undiagnosed cases may have unexplained weight loss despite of adequate food intake and often results in malnutrition and associated problems.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Consider other disease conditions like diabetes, arthritis, cancer etc before planning the treatment.

Graves Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

The symptoms can be managed by internal medication, therapies like snehana (internal/ external/ both), swedana (eg: steam bath), vamana (emetic therapy), nasya (nasal instillation of medicine), lepana (external application of medicines), gandusha (gargling with suitable medicine), raktamoksha (blood-letting) etc,

Diet

Include more whole grains, pulses, milk, small fishes, fruits, nuts etc in diet.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercises that can improve strength and health of weight bearing bones and muscles are recommended to do. Yoga, pranayama and meditation are also useful.

Graves Disease Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

As the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it cannot be prevented. Those with family history of thyroid issues should indulge in regular exercise, quit smoking, limit the consumption of alcohol, take healthy nutritious food, check body weight at regular intervals, and avoid stress.

Importance of Diet

Take diet that contain more calcium, vitamin D and minerals. Drink adequate water.

Lifestyle

Apply cold compress over the eyes. Use eye protective measures while using computer, mobile etc and travelling. Apply suitable eye drops. Lay with head slightly up position. Quit smoking. Avoid stress.