Hypothyroidism is a condition under which production of thyroid hormone is far less than usual. The purpose of thyroid hormone is to focus on the body's metabolism and when that is hit, it results in slow metabolism. Slow metabolism affects the growth, development and many cellular processes which can have adverse effect on your body. Many people are victims to this disease, women in general bear the brunt most of the times. The increasing age is another reason to be affected by this disease. In early stages of hypothyroidism, there are hardly any symptoms to detect it early on. When left untreated it can cause many health problems including obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.
One of the common reasons for hypothyroidism is due to problems with the thyroid gland. On other occasion it happens due to some problem in the brain or pituitary gland. Other causes for this problems is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, increased amount of drugs, treatment of hyperthyroidism, treatment for thyroid tumors, iodine deficiency, family history, old age, radiation and postpartum thyroiditis.
Symptoms which detect hypothyroidism are fatigue, exhaustion, tiredness, weight gain, dry or coarse hair, hair loss, muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches, constipation, depression, irritability, lapse of memory, sensitivity towards cold, puffy face, abnormal menstrual cycles and decreased libido. Many of these symptoms go unnoticed but as you get older these become a real threat.
Natural Treatments
Kanchanara - Bauhinia veriegata (purple mountain ebony) is mainly useful for functioning of thyroid. Other herbs like jatamansi, brahmi guggulu, shilajita, gokshura, punarnava are some of the other useful herbs.
You can try this home remedy which may help your problem. Make a fine paste of vegetable jalakumbhi (Pistia Straticies) to be applied over your neck to reduce the swelling.
Coconut oil has fatty acid chains which may help to improve your metabolism.
Yoga
You can try yoga which has been effective even before the existence of medical science. Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) can be a very suitable asana to help your thyroid gland. The pressure applied on the gland provides the necessary boost to the thyroid gland. Once you have done sarvangasana you should perform matsyasana, also beneficial to improve your thyroid gland.
These asanas should not be practiced if you are suffering from severe thyroitoxicosis or enlarged goiter. You can include Surya Namskara, Pavamuktasana to help you with this problem. One of the best ways to deal with thyroid problems is to practice Ujjayi Pranayama.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the write.