Remedies and Alternative Treatment for Graves Disease

Here are a few home remedies and alternative treatment for Graves disease. Let's also find out what is Graves disease, what are Graves disease causes and what are the common Graves disease symptoms? It includes information on what is the recommended Graves disease diet.

Graves disease is a type of hyperthyroidism.. It is caused by the over production of thyroid hormones especially thyroxine or T4. Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies released by the immune system bind to the surface of the thyroid gland and stimulate it to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.

Why does it occur? Doctors don't have a specific answer but have several theories. One possible cause of Graves disease and the immune system disorder is heredity in which patients inherit the disorder and thyroid problems from their parents. Doctors also believe that emotional problems and stress also contribute to the overproduction of thyroid glands.

There are possibly about 60 symptoms of Graves disease and are almost similar to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as chronic fatigue, unexplained weight loss, sensitivity to heat, anxiety, tremor of the hands and fingers, frequent bowel movements, irregular heartbeats, sweating and change in menstrual cycles. Serious signs or symptoms of Graves disease include bulging eyeballs, protruding eyes or Graves' ophthalmopathy and Graves' dermopathy which is the reddening and swelling of the skin on the shins and top of feet.

You must see your doctor especially if you experience heart palpitation, goiter, bulging eyeballs or swollen skin. Conventional treatments include radioactive iodine treatment, anti-thyroid medication and invasive surgery. These treatments would help suppress the immune system, restore thyroid hormone levels and relieve Graves disease symptoms. But the possible side effects include liver damage and hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. If you go through with the surgery, you have to take hormone replacement medication for the rest of your life.

Alternative treatment for Graves disease No. 1 - Lifestyle changes

Several Japanese researchers did a study on 182 women and 46 men who were newly diagnosed with Graves' disease. The objective was to investigate the association between Graves' disease, stressful life events, smoking, drinking habits, coping skills and social support. The researchers concluded that all these factors play a role in Graves' diseases in women and not men. If you are a woman with Graves' disease, it's wise that you stop smoking and avoid alcohol.

Alternative treatment for Graves disease No. 2 - Reduce stress

Stress is one of the biggest contributing factors that create havoc to the immune system and leads to the overproduction of hormones. There are many techniques and natural remedies for stress. Some examples are doing regular deep breathing exercise, meditation, tai chi and yoga. Doing aerobic exercise such as brisk walking 5 times a week would really help in reducing stress, improving your circulation and for your overall health and wellness.

Alternative treatment for Graves disease No. 3 - Healthy diet for Graves disease

Eating foods that are high in iodine or taking supplements that contain iodine too often is another cause of Graves disease. It is therefore wise to avoid foods that contain iodine including iodized salt. Dairy products including cheese may also trigger the symptoms of Graves disease. And you should also avoid alcohol, caffeine and beverages that contain them.

The best foods to eat are goitrogens which are foods that suppress thyroid function. Examples are cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard, rutabaga, turnips and other foods including peanuts, peaches, radish, spinach and strawberries. Eat white meat such as chicken and fish instead of red meat.

Consider adding multivitamins or dietary supplements such as copper, coenzyme Q10, calcium and magnesium, L-carnitine, selenium and vitamin D and E in your diet. It is best that you monitor the foods that you eat such as gluten or wheat to find out if it triggers the symptoms.

Alternative treatment for Graves disease No. 4 - Herbal and natural remedies

Bugleweed leaf extract or lycopus virginicus is one of the herbs that have been used as a natural remedy for Graves disease and hyperthyroidism. Taking bugleweed can reduce or treat the symptoms such as heart palpitations, lack of appetite and aches and pain. Studies have shown that bugleweed can block or reduce the activities of antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. It also decreases TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone that determines the rate of which the thyroid hormones are released. Bugleweed extract is available in liquid extract and in capsules.

Lemon balm is another herb that has been used for Graves disease treatment. Some studies found that lemon balm extract help by binding to the thyroid stimulating hormone and thus prevent the TSH from stimulating the thyroid from releasing excess hormone.

Motherwort extract from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant may help treat Graves disease symptoms such as fatigue and heart related symptoms. The herbal extract is available dried, in capsules and liquid extract and often combined with lemon balm. In Living Well with Graves' Disease, Mary J. Shomon recommends taking a combination of lemon balm and motherwort tincture as alternative treatment for Graves disease.

If you want all the 3 herbs combined, you can try taking ThyroSoothe from Native Remedies as it contains bugleweed, lemon balm and motherwort. It is believed that this herbal remedy will calm, soothe and normalize overactive thyroids.

Other natural and alternative treatment for Graves disease that you may want to consider is drinking diluted solution of apple cider vinegar or taking royal jelly as a supplement. There are quite a number of anecdotal claims which state that royal jelly may help treat graves eye disease, bulging eyes or Graves ophthalmopathy. There is no harm trying either one of the natural and organic product because each provides many health benefits.

Alternative treatment for Graves Disease No. 5 - Alternative healing methods

Acupuncture and emotional freedom technique are two of the methods that you can try as an alternative treatment for Graves disease.

Additional Resources

1. The Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism Remedy Report
   
   
2. Living Well with Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism

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