Graves' disease
From Wiki4CAM
Graves' disease is over activity of the thyroid gland due to autoimmune response and results in hyperthyroidism. Robert Graves, an Irish physician, was the first to describe this form of hyperthyroidism about 150 years ago, and the condition is named so.[1] It is common cause of hyperthyroidism due to production of Ig G antibodies against the TSH receptors on the thyroid follicular cell, which stimulate thyroid hormone production.
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Causes
Normally, the immune system uses naturally occurring proteins (antibodies) and white blood cells (lymphocytes) to help eliminate viruses, bacteria and foreign substances (antigens) that invade the body. In Graves' disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, but instead of destroying the gland, an antibody called thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) stimulates the thyroid to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, which includes a collection of glands and tissues that produce hormones. These chemical messengers coordinate many of the body's activities, from digestion to metabolism to reproduction. Thyroxine — a hormone produced by the thyroid — controls the metabolic rate. What may lead the immune system to attack the thyroid gland is not known. However, it is believed a combination of factors, including heredity, sex, age and stress, may determine the likelihood of developing Graves' disease.
Symptoms
Protruding eyes (less common in children), weight loss, increased appetite, nervousness, restlessness, heat intolerance, increased sweating, fatigue, muscle weakness, sometimes double vision, eye irritation, breast enlargement in men, menstrual irregularities in women, tremor, frequent bowel movements and goiter are the symptoms due to Graves' disease.
Examinations and investigations
The CAM therapist would perform physical examination, which may show thyroid enlargement and development of breast in men. Systemic examination shows an increased heart rate. TSH is decreased, T3 and T4 are higher than normal. Radioactive iodine uptake is usually high. This disease is reported to alter the test results of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) and Orbit CT scan or ultrasound.
General management
The CAM therapist would focus principally to control the overactivity along with the symptoms. As antithyroid medications have serious side effects, radiation and surgery result in the need for lifelong use of thyroid hormones or use of prednisone and other steroids in many cases observed to usually suppress the immune system, CAM therapy is preferred. Apart from CAM medications and practices, taping the eyes closed at night to prevent drying may sometimes be required. Sunglasses and eyedrops may be required to lessen irritation of the eyes.
Prognosis and complications
Eye problems associated with the disease (called Graves ophthalmopathy or exophthalmos), heart complications including rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure (especially in the elderly) and atrial fibrillation and increased risk for osteoporosis are reported complications.
CAM therapies for Graves' disease
Acupuncture/acupressure
Following are some useful points for Graves' disease.
Baihui (DU 20), Neck-Futu (LI 18), Jianjing (GB 21) and Hegu (LI 4).[2]
Ayurveda
Purple mountain ebony, which is called in ayurveda as Kaanchanara (Bauhinia veriegata) is in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia for treating thyroid problems. This herb is available in the form of pill or tablet. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) is widely used in Ayurveda for thyroid related problems especially for obesity due to thyroid problems. Punarnava (boerhaavia diffusa Linn) is also used for a long in ayurveda for such problems.
Herbal remedies
Home remedies
Homeopathy
Following are the homoeopathic remedies for Graves' disease.
Baryta carbonica
Enlarged thyroid with hypertension; weak memory and confusion; cold hands and feet with numbness of limbs or burning in lower limbs; constipation with hard stool and distended abdomen; profuse and offensive perspiration.
Belladonna
Pain and pressure in eyes with congestion, redness, pain and dryness of throat with fever; dry skin; hot face but feet cold; nervous, delirium and hallucinations worse in light, from noise and motion, profuse sweating in the face.
Bromium
Anxiety and palpitation; thyroid hypertrophy of the size of hen egg with stony hardness; hoarseness of voice; profuse perspiration followed by weakness.
Calcarea carbonica
Thyroid dysfunction in people with malnutrition; difficult deglutition; increased appetite; shortness of breath when ascending heights; excessive sweating during sleep; tendency to gain weight.
Calcarea iodata
Thyroid enlargement at the time of puberty; suitable for flabby children and young girls who are sensitive to cold; cracked skin, falling of hair and profuse sweating.
Crotalus cascavella
Protruding eyes and cutting sensation in the eye ball; symptoms of thyroid dysfunction with thoughts and dreams of death
Ferrum metallicum
Palpitation, nervousness and irritability; muscular weakness after exhausting sweats, worse after over-heating of the body; pale skin, flushed face; loss of appetite; pitting pedal oedema; cold extremities; too early and too profuse menses.
Fucus vesiculosus
Thyroid dysfunction in obese people; flatulence with weak digestion and dryness of throat. 5-drop of mother tincture after meals is recommended dosage.
Iodium
Pale face, emaciated body with increased appetite; perspiration from least physical work; sensation of constriction in the throat; hot skin and dry, cold hands and feet; irregular menses with extreme weakness; stiff and painful joints.
Lapis albus
Increased appetite; swollen thyroid with elasticity and pliability; anaemic people with burning and stinging pains.
Lycopus virginicus
Protrusion of eyes with pressure; palpitation and intermittent pulse; frontal headache better by pressure; constriction in throat and heart region with oppressed breathing; dose: 5 drops of mother tincture.
Natrum muriaticum
Weakness and emaciation even while eating well; rapid palpitation worse from even little motion; hot palms and perspiring hands; numbness, coldness and tingling in fingers and lower legs.
Pilocarpus (Jaborandi)
Increased palpitation and pulsation of arteries; tremors, nervousness and salivation; profuse perspiration all over the body.
Spongia
Stitching pains and dryness of throat with swollen thyroid gland; violent palpitation and faintness; dryness in mouth with excessive thirst and hunger; complaints worse in cold weather.
Thyroidinum
Anaemia, emaciation, muscular weakness, palpitation from least exertion, profuse sweating; obesity and frequent urination, cold hands and feet, patient is sensitive to cold and cold air.
References
- ↑ What is Graves' Diasease?
- ↑ Anton Jayasuria, Clinical Acupuncture
