Graves’ disease or Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune disorder which is caused due to hormonal misbalance or excessive production of thyroid hormones in the body. The antibodies affect the thyroid glands leading to excessive secretion of thyroid hormone which in turn leads to bulging eyes. Hyperthyroidism affects every aspect of life since thyroid is one of the most important endocrine glands in the human body. It affects hunger, sleep, reproduction, energy levels, metabolism and much more.
Hyperthyroidism also known as thyrotoxicosis is a resultant of graves’ disease, the symptoms of which vary from individual to individual depending on the hormone level. Exophthalmos or bulging eyes is also a resultant of the graves’ disease.
This disease being an autoimmune disorder or chronic illness has no permanent solution by treatment, but conventional medical treatment or natural treatment is essential in order to keep the hormonal growth under control. Graves’ symptoms can be lowered only by keeping the production of thyroid hormones under control. This in turn would also reduce eye bulging (Exophthalmos or Graves’ orbitopathy). Making certain adjustments to diet, stress levels and lifestyle help many people control this disorder. People with unmanageable amount of stress claims to be the victims of this disease as well as other types of autoimmune disorders.
Symptoms and Treatments
Exophthalmos (eyes protruding further than normal) and pretibial myxedema (swelling and strangely textured skin, almost like an orange peel) are the two most noticeable signs of this disease. Some of the treatments involve various chemical supplements and radiations and tend to be very dangerous cause they also bring with them various side effects. The person affected with this disease must always keep in mind that there is no permanent cure but is manageable by lowering the thyroid hormonal secretion rates. Certain natural home remedies would surely help you keep the disorder in control and would also help you lead a relatively normal life.
Home Remedies for Graves ’ Disease
Various vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, millet and turnips are recommended for those suffering from Graves’ disease since, they tend to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone in the human body and acts as an anti-protocol for Graves’ and hyperthyroidism. Hence these vegetables are very important for people suffering from Graves’ and are highly recommended increasing the amount of these vegetables in their diet in order to counteract the thyroid hormone levels in their body.
Potatoes, seaweed, sugarcane, lemons, eggs, brazil nuts, Tuna, Oysters, sunflower seeds and whole wheat breads are recommended to the affected patients since they are rich in Selenium and Lithium and hence they help regulate the thyroid glands and prevents the hormonal imbalance. Consuming these in regular diets can also help to prevent this disorder.
Several herbs such as Bugleweed, lemon balm, Motherwort and passion flower lessen the effects of the Graves’ disease by lowering the levels of thyroid hormone in the body. They regulate the endocrine activity of the person affected with this disease and hence consuming them is very important.
For controlling thyroid production of the thyroid glands and for proper metabolism of the body, it is very essential to have Vitamin D and Vitamin A in the diet. They extenuate the symptoms of the Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease often starts with receptors’ mutation which is prevented by Vitamin D.
Exophthalmos or protruding eyes happens to be certainly painful in most of the times for the person affected with this disease. In order to lower the inflammation caused by it and eliminate the excess fluid building up in the eyes, one must apply a cold compress and must protect the eyes by wearing sunglasses to prevent the excessive outgrowth.
Keeping multiple pillows under your head while sleeping would help to keep your head raised to a level higher than your body. This would prevent exophthalmos by reducing the excess pressure and buildup of fluids in your eyes.
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