Dr. Vikram Chauhan, Author at Dr. Vikram Chauhan's Blog

What is The Treatment and Prevention of Hypothyroidism in Ayurveda?

Overview

Thyroid disorders are very common and tend to occur in persons of all age groups. The global incidence of thyroid disorders are increasing as the thyroid gland easily responds to the factors such as- stress and anxiety.

According to World Health Organization, about 2 billion people are iodine deficient worldwide. The iodine deficiency causes goiter and severe iodine deficiency causes Hypothyroidism.

The thyroid gland is a small and butterfly shaped gland that is situated in front of the neck. The function of thyroid gland is to produce two hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxin) and calcitonin. But, strictly speaking, T3 and T4 are proper thyroid hormones.

What are the functions of thyroid gland?

It is a vital hormone gland which plays a role in metabolism, growth and development of human body. It helps in regulating many body functions by secreting steady amounts of thyroid hormones into the blood stream.

The thyroid gland is responsible for providing energy to every organ of the body.
It controls the heart rate.
It also controls metabolism. Therefore, it is also responsible for the functioning of digestive system.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism refers to any state that results in the deficiency of thyroid hormone including hypothalamic or pituitary disease. It refers to generalized tissue resistance to the thyroid hormone. It is also known as underactive thyroid. It affects women more frequently than men.

What are the causes of Hypothyroidism?

The balance of chemical reactions in the body gets upset when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.

Risk factors

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or type 1diabetes.
Heredity
History of exposure to radiation to the neck or upper chest

What are the signs and symptoms of Hypothyroidism?

In the early stages, there are no noticeable symptoms of hypothyroidism. Its signs and symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease as this problem tends to develop slowly.

Signs and symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Dry skin
Constipation
Weight gain
Puffy face
Muscle weakness
Pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints
Irregular or heavier menstruation in women
Thinning hair
Slowed heart rate
Depression
Impaired memory
Goiter (Enlarged thyroid gland)
Elevated blood cholesterol level
Muscle ache, tenderness and stiffness

What are the causes of Hypothyroidism according to Ayurveda?

If we try to have a keen insight to the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism according to the principles of Ayurveda, it is basically caused due to the dysfunctioning of Agni. It is caused due to the weak metabolic fire (Jatharagni), which in turn affects Dhatavagni and brings out pathological sequence and ultimately the diseased condition develops.
Looking into dosha imbalance, all the doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha are vitiated with the predominance of Rasa-vaha, Medo-vaha and Mamsa-vaha doshas which are considered as the root cause of disease.
Treatment: In spite of many advances in modern medicine, the management of Hypothyroidism still remains unsatisfactory. There is a need to search out safe, effective and natural remedies. Such remedies could be explored from the huge treasure of Ayurveda.

Home Remedies for the Treatment of Hypothyroidism

Turmeric Milk:

Turmeric milk is an effective home remedy for hypothyroidism. Take boiled milk with turmeric regularly.

Bottle Gourd’s Juice:

Take 1 glass of bottle gourd juice regularly on an empty stomach in the morning.

Tulsi and Aloe vera

Mix 2 spoons of juice of Tulsi leaves and half spoon of aloe Vera juice and take this mixture regularly. This remedy is quite effective for hypothyroidism.

Red Onion:

Cut red onion into two halves and massage on thyroid gland before going to bed but do not wash the neck region after massaging.

Coriander:

Coriander water is an effective remedy for treating hypothyroidism. Take fresh coriander leaves and grind them. In a glass of water, add 1 spoon of grinded coriander leaves and drink this water.

Ashwagandha Powder:

Add 1 spoon of ashwagandha powder in a glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed.

Pranayam

Ujjayi Pranayama is quite effective in hypothyroidism. This pranayama calms the mind and relieves mental stress as well.

Avoid:

Common salt should be avoided. It is a common myth that common salt contains iodine but the fact is that common salt does not contain iodine. Use only rock salt or black salt in the diet.

What are the Best Herbal Remedies for hypothyroidism?

Planet Ayurveda offers best combination of effective herbal remedies for the treatment of hypothyroidism such as Hypothyroid Care Pack. These herbal remedies are prepared according to the principles of Ayurveda and are safe to use.

Hypothyroid Care Pack of Planet Ayurveda consists of:

Chandraprabha Vati
Hakam Churna
Gugullipid
Gotukola

1.Chanderprabha Vati:

Planet Ayurveda’s Chandraprabha Vati is prepared using the ingredients as prescribed in Ayurvedic classical texts. Chandraprabha Vati helps in the proper functioning of thyroid gland and also helps in maintaining healthy weight as well. This medicine helps in reducing swelling in the thyroid gland. Thus, this tablet helps to maintain thyroid gland in a natural way without causing any side effects.

Dose: 2 tablets twice daily.

2.Hakam Churna:

Hakam Churna is a wonderful combination of herbs which is useful in all the inflammatory conditions and helps in indigestion as well. It is considered as a “Tridoshic Rasayana”. It balances all the three doshas of the body. This combination of herbs help in boosting the digestive fire thus works on the root cause of hypothyroidism. It also improves energy thus relieves fatigue as well.

Ingredients of Hakam Churna

Sr. No.	Botanical Name	Common Name	Quantity
1.	Lepidium sativum	Chandershoor	25 gm
2.	Nigella sativaa	Kalonji	25 gm
3.	Trigonella foenum graecum	Methi	25 gm
4.	Trachyspermum ammi	Ajwain	25 gm

Dose: 1 tablespoon twice daily with plain water.

3.Guggullipid:

Planet Ayurveda’s Guggullipid Capsules are prepared from the standardized extracts of Guggul (Commiphora mukul). It is known to have a strong effect on the thyroid gland. It regulates the functioning of thyroid gland and also increases the metabolism of fats thereby helps in managing weight gain also.

Dose: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water.

4.Gotukola Capsules

Planet Ayurveda’s Gotukola Capsules are prepared from the standardized extracts of the herb Centella asiatica. This herb is known for reducing stress and anxiety and also useful in circulation. Thus, this herb is useful in restoring the hormonal imbalance.

Dose: 2 capsules twice daily.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Introduction

Vitamin D has some vital roles to play that keeps the whole body functioning normally. Not like what happens to other vitamins, every cell of the body is a receptor to it. It functions like hormones. Your body makes it from cholesterol when the body is exposed to the sunlight. It can also be traced in many foods like fatty fish and fortified dairy products, whereas it is difficult to get it alone from our diet. Its deficiency is a common problem. It is estimated that nearly 1 billion people on this globe is facing vitamin D deficiency in their blood.

Let us explain the most usual risk factors for vitamin D deficiency:

Having dark skin.
Being overweight or obese.
Living far from the equator where there is little sun year-round.
Being elderly.
Not eating much fish or dairy.
Always using sunscreen when going out.
Staying indoors.

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

People who live near the equator usually get exposed to sunlight, in their case the vitamin deficiency is rarely found. Their skin produces enough vitamin D that their bodies require.

Most of them don’t realize that they’re deficient, as symptoms are usually mild. You might not be able to recognize them easily, even if they’re having a vital negative effect on the quality of your life.

Falling Sick too Often:

One of its important jobs is to keep your immune system in a strong position so that it is able to fight off many bacteria and viruses, which cause sickness. It gets in touch with cells that are responsible for fighting infection. It can be a major reason when you keep getting cold or fever quite frequently. Many massive studies have shown that the deficiency of vitamin D has the respiratory tract infections that cause colds, pneumonia and bronchitis.
After a brief research it is was found that by having the dosage of 4000iu daily may lower the risk of getting respiratory tract infections. In the case of chronic lung disorder (COPD), only those who lacked vitamin D severely showed a remarkable progress after taking a high dose supplement for the whole year.

Back Pain:-

Vitamin D helps to develop bone health in many ways. It enhances the body in absorbing the calcium. Its inadequate level might cause the lower back & bone pain. Studies have found a connection between the chronic lower back pain and its deficiency.
Research was done on vitamin D’s deficiency and it was found that people who lacked vitamin D had severe back pain that restricted their daily activities. Vitamin D deficiency were doubled to feel the pain in their ribs, joints and legs when compared with those who had a normal level.

Depression:-

Vitamin D deficiency can cause a depressed mood, particularly in the old adults. In a research it was found that 65% of people complain about a low blood pressure. The dosage of vitamin D is often very low. Most of the studies conducted showed no results on mood. The dosage of vitamin D to the depressed people showed some effect, including the seasonal depression that happens during the colder months.

Tiredness and fatigue:

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to fatigue. Most of the times it is ignored. In many cases it is seen that the blood level gets low and has a negative effect on the quality of life. Once a lady complained about daytime fatigue and headaches.
When tested her vitamin D level was just 5.9ng/ml. It was extremely low, anything below 20ng/ml is considered low. Then she took some supplements of food that was rich in vitamin D and her tiredness and headache vanished. A diagnoses was done on the effect of lack of vitamin D on a young lady.

Wounds healing slows down:

When the wounds take time to heal, a clear indication that you lack vitamin D. Vitamin D enhances the production of compounds that are required for forming new skin in the wound healing process. A study found out that dental surgery healing was compromised by deficiency of vitamin D.
It was reported that vitamin D has a role in controlling inflammation and fighting infections that healed the wounds. People who lacked vitamin D had higher level of inflammation that jeopardized healing. Patients of leg ulcers who lacked vitamin D, when vitamin D is provided to them their ulcer size reduced by 28%.

Bone loss:

Lots of older people who lost bones believed that they lacked calcium, but lack of vitamin D was also found. Low bone mineral density means that your bones have lost their minerals and calcium. It means that the older adults, especially the females have a risk of frequent fractures. In a study carried on 1100 ladies, who were middle aged, it was found that most of them lacked vitamin D, so they all had a low bone density and low bone minerals.
The ladies who had low vitamin D, when fed with foods rich in vitamin D showed no improvement in bone density, however their blood level improved. Adequate intake of vitamin D maintains the blood level and is seen as a good strategy for protecting bone mass and reducing risk of frequent fractures.

Hair Loss:

Autoimmune disease characterized by severe hair loss from the head and other parts of the body, when you get infected by Alopecia areata. Rickets happen that causes soft bones as in children due to lack of vitamin D.
When vitamin D is so low then you run the risk of acquiring alopecia areata and it may develop this disease further. So low level of vitamin D is associated with severe hair loss.
Many other foods affect the health of your hair. If you don’t want a hair loss there are 14 best foods to avoid it.
These are the major factors that are responsible if your body lacks vitamin D. You tend to acquire any of the above mentioned diseases, if deficiency of vitamin D in your body. So the importance of vitamin D is necessary to mobilize your body normally.