Learn tips and techniques to living a healthy holistic life

Graves Disease

As the most commonly diagnosed type of hyperthyroidism, Graves disease affects millions of people worldwide. Yet, even with such high rates of occurrence, doctors and researchers continue to search for both its cause and its cure. For those who pursue healthy living through holistic health strategies, understanding what Graves' disease is, its symptoms and becoming familiar with natural treatment options for the disease, can help with its early detection and greatly assist in its effective management.

Graves disease is characterized by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland, which then triggers an overproduction of the thyroxine hormone and increases the body's metabolic rate. This activity causes a variety of very alarming physical and mental effects. However, in very rare cases Graves' disease presents no symptoms at all.

Although the disease can have a serious impact on one's life if not properly treated, it is not typically life-threatening. Also, anyone can develop Graves' disease symptoms at any age. While its symptoms can affect both men and women, it is most commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 20 years old.

Graves' disease symptoms include:

Increased perspiration
Fatigue
Irregular heartbeat
Anxiety
Sleeping difficulties
Irritability
Unintended weight loss
Increased or frequent bowel movements
Menstrual changes
Brittle hair
Red, swollen skin
Bulging eyeballs (a condition also referred to as Graves' ophthalmopathy)
Tremors in the fingers and/or hands
Heat sensitivity
An enlarged thyroid gland (also referred to as a goiter)

Cases of Graves' ophthalmopathy are most commonly found in patients who also smoke cigarettes. Graves' ophthalmopathy also causes eyelid swelling, a widening of the space between the eyelids, red and swollen eyes, a feeling of having a gritty substance in the eyes, as well as excessive tearing. Other, symptoms, which occur most frequently in Graves' ophthalmopathy are:

Double vision
Blurred vision
Reduced vision
Restricted eye movement
Ulcers on the eye's cornea

At this time, doctors are not yet certain about the exact cause of Graves' disease. However, it is widely believed that the following risk factors greatly increase the likelihood of its development in individual patients:

Cigarette smoking
Stress
Pregnancy
Age (usually occurs in people over the age of 20 years)
Sex (women tend to develop the disease at seven times the rate of male counterparts)
One or more family members with the disease

While medical treatments do exist for the treatment of Graves disease, effective, safe and natural treatments do, as well. Such holistic health approaches are safe to use and, while they are not intended to replace traditional treatments, they can be effectively used in tandem with them. Some of these include consuming certain herbs and vegetables believed to be powerfully effective agents against Graves' disease symptoms, such as:

Bugleweed (taken orally in tincture form)
Kelp
Lemon balm
Verbena
Self-heal greens
Radishes
Broccoli

Get More Info on Thyroid Assist - Nature's Treatment for Hypothyroidism Without the Negative Effects of Synthetic Prescription Drugs

A special concoction, known as Gravestea, which combines lemon balm, bugleweed, mint, self-heal greens, verbena and rosemary in a tea is also believed to be helpful in combating the disease and its accompanying symptoms.

Also, avoiding certain foods, such as soy-based foods, which are known to interfere with the thyroid gland's healthy functioning may further reduce the symptoms of Graves' disease.

For those suffering with Graves' disease, diet and healthy living are especially important. The herbal and vegetable suggestions noted above should become regular staples in the diets of those diagnosed with Graves'. As well, achieving a better quality of life via holistic health strategies includes targeting a balance of one's physical, mental and emotional health. Daily exercise, proper rest, adequate nutrition, spiritual sustenance and finding ways of relieving mental stress are always recommended.

Graves Disease

New! Comments