The Natural Beat

Tess January 18th, 2007

Graves’ disease, known as Graves-Basedow disease in Europe, is caused by an antibody-mediated autoimmune reaction and is characterized by goiter, exophthalmos, and hyperthyroidism. These characteristics are specific and conditions that can be used to detect the possibility of the presence of the Graves’ disease.

1. Goiter - a swelling in the neck just below the Adam’s apple
2. Exophthalmos - the protuberance of one or both eyes accompanied by fatigue, weight loss and other symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
3. Hyperthyroidism - an overproduction of thyroid hormones, commonly known as T4 and T3.

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of goiter and the most prominent visible symptom is that of an enlarged thyroid. A small goiter is not visible to the naked eye and can be established only with the aid of X-Ray or an ultrasound examination.

Hyperthyroidism, an over active thyroid, is a relatively lesser cause for Graves’ disease and surveys and researches reveal that presence of this disease is higher among women as compared to men; the ratio being 8:1. It occurs mainly between the age of 30 and 50 but it has been known to affect adolescents, pregnant women, menopausal women and older women too. Due to a marked familial prevalence, there are speculations regarding it being triggered by a genetic disorder but this hypothesis have not been confirmed and established with a reasonable degree of certainty.

Since Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that appears suddenly it is thought that a viral or bacterial infection activates antibodies that cross-react with the human TSH receptor (a phenomenon known as antigenic mimicry).

Conventional medical thyroid treatment for Graves’ disease involves anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine and surgical excision of thyroid gland.

Thyroid medicationslike methimazole (US), carbimazole (UK) have side effects such as rashes and peripheral neuritis (inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function). In many cases they cause dangerous side effects such as acute blood disorders and anemia.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) is resorted to where medical or surgical therapies fail or are not advisable. RAI leads to a high occurrence (up to 80%) of hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) and later necessitates hormone replacement therapy. It acts slowly and there is always a danger of a relapse.

Where the goiter has enlarged abnormally, in pregnant women or young patients, the conventional thyroid treatment usually goes in for a removal of the thyroid through surgery. This provides fast relief and also removes carcinoma, if present. This is also replete with risks of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, problems associated with removal of the parathyroid glands, and hematoma, which can threaten life as it compresses the windpipe.

Fortunately there are options available under alternative thyroid treatments, that seek to enhance body functionality in its entirety rather than providing fast relief coupled with a bundle of side effects. These unconventional treatments make use of natural thyroid medication such as homeopathic remedies in conjunction with dietary regulations and exercises. As all remedies are made from natural products and the risk of any untoward happenings is minimal especially when taken under guidance of a qualified expert.

• General Health Info
• Comments(0)