Thyroid Symptoms, Causes And Effective Home Remedies: Everything You Need To Know About It

There are hundreds of diseases and problems in our body that are unexplained and can affect our physical and mental well-being. But when ignored and not treated; in future, they might lead to complications and greater problems. The thyroid is one such big concern that a lot of women in India are suffering from but do not realise its complications. They must know that thyroid health is very important as it controls almost every functioning in your body.

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And sooner you treat it, the better. Once the disorder reaches the alarming stage, the risk factor automatically increases. Initially, the issues are subtle and not that harmful but at a higher stage, it becomes unsafe. So, if you think that something is not functioning well and taking a toll on your well-being there are chances, your little gland in the neck needs a check. Let’s know about the things that are essential to understanding the thyroid, the symptoms, disorder and the risk factors associated.

What is thyroid?

Well, the word thyroid is generally taken as an illness. Whereas, the truth is that thyroid is a tiny thumb-sized organ and is already there in every human body. It is a butterfly-shaped gland between your collarbone and voice box that secretes hormones and regulates almost every course of action happening in the body.

Understanding thyroid disorders

When the thyroid gland pumps out abnormally low or more hormones compared to what body requires, it is said to be a thyroid disorder. Females are up to eight times as likely to experience this disorder as compared to men. Also, the risk of thyroid-related diseases increases with age. Women above the age group of 50 are at a greater risk to face this. At an early stage, thyroid disorder might not pose many problems. But if left untreated, the disorder might lead to complications.

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Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland is underactive and releases lesser hormones than it should, it is called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is related to low stamina, a drop in the heart rate, low metabolism, frequent shivers, cold, weakness etc.

On the other hand, hyperthyroidism is exactly the opposite. When there is surplus/excess of thyroid hormones being released by the gland, it is called hyperthyroidism. It starts accelerating the bodily functions.

Birth-related defects

The child of a mother whose thyroid is untreated may have great risks of birth defects. Issues like mental problems, physical health, development issues etc might appear in a newborn baby. Healthy thyroid hormones are essential for brain development; the lack of which may lead to complications in a child’s mind and body.

Goitre

In order to meet the demand of sufficient hormones, thyroid overexerts itself which leads to an enlarged thyroid gland. In the process of releasing more hormones, it undergoes excessive stimulation which bulges up the gland. This condition is known as goitre.

Infertility

A lot of women have to face pregnancy-related issues as the disturbed thyroid affects ovulation and hence the chances of conceiving.

Signs and symptoms that point to thyroid illness

Hypothyroidism

When it is hypothyroidism or the abnormally low release of hormones, the signs and ailments are as follows:

• Weight gain- As metabolism slows down, there are chances you will gain calories and hence the weight. There are chances you will feel hungry all the time. Therefore, the increase in appetite increases the weight.    
• Fatigue and lethargy- Fatigue is like a characteristic to hypothyroidism. It is difficult to restore the energy level in this disorder.

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• Dry skin- Yes, there is a skin change too in this disorder. Skin starts becoming pale and devoid of moisture in this condition.
• Forgetfulness/Brain fog- Difficulty in thinking and recalling is a common symptom of the hypothyroidism stage. This happens because of an inadequate release of hormones.
• Lower heart rate- In order to pump blood normally in the body, the heart needs sufficient thyroid hormones. But when the levels are low, it makes the heart rate low.

• Constipation- Constipation too is like a trademark sign of this type of thyroid disorder. The digestion system also becomes inactive due to weak thyroid.
• Erratic menstruation- Menstrual irregularities are a common problem related to this thyroid disorder. In fact, irregular periods are a sign that thyroid is not working right. In this condition, there are longer menstruation days and heavy flow.
• Swelling- Low thyroid function leads to low temperature in the body which eventually causes fluid retention in the body. This appears in form of swelling face and eyes.

Hyperthyroidism

Ailments and symptoms in case of hyperthyroidism are completely different from what we see in hypothyroidism.

• Increased perspiration- Overactive thyroid means an excessive release of hormones which leads to excessive sweating.

• Difficulty sleeping- Sleep-related problems like insomnia, night sweat, frequent waking, anxiety etc are common in hyperthyroidism. Sleep is said to get disrupted due to excessive release of hormones.

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• Weight loss- As the body burns up extra food and calories and also sweats a lot, there are chances of weight loss in your body. The body’s metabolism increases, which leads to involuntary weight loss.
• Lighter periods- With hyperthyroidism, periods may become shorter and lighter in the flow. Periods become irregular in a different way.

Simple home remedies to heal thyroid problems naturally

• Watch the intake- What and when you eat has a large impact on your thyroid health. Smaller portions and frequent consumptions have a positive effect on controlling your thyroid problem. Also, slow down when you are eating. This is not only a good health advice but impactful when it comes to controlling a disordered thyroid. Sit, relax and chew your food properly.
• Selenium-rich or seafood- It is recommended to have selenium-rich diet in your meals which are a good source of iodine to heal and support the thyroid. It can effectively control hypothyroidism as selenium starts making thyroid hormones in the body. For that, you need to include seafood, eggs and nuts in your diet.

• Simple exercise and yoga- Various exercises and yoga asanas can help treat the endocrine system, which are responsible for hormonal changes in the body. The shoulder-stand (sarvangasana) is recommended especially for stimulating the thyroid gland and the release of hormones.
• Cut out excess sugar- If not quit, you can at least reduce the intake of sugar in your body. Avoiding sweets, spicy and junk food are crucial to maintaining the health of your thyroid.

How to detect your thyroid at home

Even before the first signs of thyroid problems in your body and much before going for a screening test or to a doctor; there is one simple activity you can do at home to know about your thyroid. This is a simple home-test recommended by doctors. Take a mirror to have a look at the lower end of your neck, just above the collarbone and below the voice box. Tilt your head a little back so that you can still view the mirror. Take a sip of water and watch that area carefully for protrusions. If you notice a big lump, there is a need to worry. There are chances of an enlarged thyroid and you might need a treatment.

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It’s extremely important to have a check on your thyroid health. It is advisable to investigate the problem and not delay the procedure if you are suffering from the above mentioned bothersome symptoms. Kindly get a test done and if the test results are less or more than the normal range, you certainly need a medical help to heal it.