Thyroid

Yoga is an effective thyroid disease treatment. The Thyroid gland or simply the Thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in our human body. The thyroid gland is situated in front of the neck and is quite visible when enlarged, especially when we swallow. Enlargement of thyroid gland is one of the thyroid disease symptoms. It is an endocrine gland that discharges a secretion called Thyroxin directly into the blood stream. It controls the quick energy usage of the body, makes proteins, and controls the sensitivity of the other hormones with the body. It participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism, affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 thyroid and T4 thyroid are synthesized from both iodine and tyrosine. The thyroid also produces Calcitonin which plays a role in Calcium Homeostasis.

Thyroid Problems

The types of thyroid disorders are as follows:

Hypothyroidism:

This is the most common type of thyroid disorder, where the thyroid produces the thyroid hormone in a much less quantity than your body needs to function properly. It is usually a primary process in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. The problem can also be secondary--that is, lack of thyroid hormone secretion due to inadequate secretion of either Thyrotropin i.e. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] from the Pituitary gland or Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) from the Hypothalamus (secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism). Factors such as, belonging to the female sex, above 40 years of age, having a close family member affected with thyroid disease, and recently having given birth to a baby, can increase the chances of getting hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism:

When the thyroid gland is overactive, it produces excess thyroid hormone, more than your body needs to be healthy. Hyperthyroidism includes disease that is a subset of Thyrotoxicosis that is caused by excess synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone by the thyroid. Hyperthyroidism is more common in women than men and occurs between the age of 20 - 40. It often starts after undergoing extreme stress or during pregnancy.

Postpartum Thyroiditis:

After giving birth, the thyroid in a women can swell up and become large or inflamed. This is one of the thyroid disease symptoms which causes change in levels of thyroid hormone in the body. Sometimes, high levels can be followed by low levels of thyroid hormone. Within 6 months, this condition usually goes away with no permanent damage to the thyroid. Although common, thyroid disorders after pregnancy are often hard to detect. Some of the symptoms, such as sleeping disorder, fatigue, depression, or weight change are viewed as normal when a woman gives birth to a baby.

Thyroid Cancer:

This type of cancer is most often found as a lump (or nodule) in the thyroid gland. It is not a common type of cancer and most thyroid nodules are benign (not cancer). Other signs of thyroid cancer include swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck and trouble swallowing or breathing. Although anyone can get thyroid cancer, people who had earlier undergone head or neck X-ray treatments for tonsillitis or other conditions in their childhood, are more likely to get this type of cancer.

Yoga is one of the most natural thyroid disease treatment for balancing the hormonal changes in thyroid gland.

Causes of Thyroid

Overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue
Thyroid cyst
Iodine deficiency
A non-functioning thyroid gland
Thyroiditis
Postpartum Thyroiditis
Chronic inflammation of the thyroid (Thyroiditis)

Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders

Weight Changes
Aches and pains
Feeling cold
Nervousness and irritability
Neck Discomfort/Enlargement
Hair/Skin changes
Fatigue
Muscle and Joint Pains

Neck Exercises

Sit or stand straight. Practice the 4 kinds of neck exercises:

1st Kind: Turn your head toward right side. Then move your head back to normal posture. Then turn your head toward left and come back to normal position. Do this for 10 times.

2nd Kind: Turn your head toward up and bend backward then come back in normal posture. Do this for 10 times.

3rd Kind: Tilt head to right shoulder, back to centre, left shoulder, back to centre. Do this for 10 times.

4th Kind: Rotate your neck clockwise 5 times and then anticlockwise 5 times.

Benefits: Increases circulation to the thyroid gland and everything from the neck up. Reduces fat in the neck area and stimulates the thyroid to function properly.

Back Bending

Stand straight with 6 inches gap in between two legs. Place your hands on waist. Now slowly bend your upper body towards your back. Count 10 in that position. Return to normal position. Repeat this 3 times. Then take rest.

Benefits: Fortifies the posterior muscles while activating the thyroid gland. Strengthens the back muscles, increases spinal flexibility and helps stimulate the thyroid through neck extension.

Leg Raising

Lie on your back. Slowly raise both legs upwards up to 30-40 degrees. Hold this position and count 10. Breathing will be normal. After completing place the feet slowly on the floor avoiding any jerks. Do the whole process once again. Then take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: Stimulates the thyroid gland and increases the energy level. The pressure exerted on the abdominal area helps improve metabolism regulated by the thyroid.

Leg Circling

Lie down on your back. Raise your right leg slightly from the ground. Move it in clockwise direction for 10 times and then 10 times in anticlockwise direction. After completing put down your right leg. Repeat the same with left leg. Then join both legs and circle clockwise and anticlockwise for 10 times each. Take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: Develops overall muscular strength and stimulates the thyroid gland. Strengthens abdominal muscles and improves circulation.

Shoulder Stand

Lie down on back stretching both legs. Lift up both legs straight at 90 degree angle from the ground. Push your upper back with your palms and shoulder to legs will be in a straight line. Chin should touch chest. Your eyes should be at your toes. Breathing will be normal. Hold this position and count 5. After that lower down your legs and keep the body straight. Repeat this again. Then take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: It activates and rejuvenates the thyroid gland. Therefore, diseases like obesity, weakness, tiredness and insufficient increase in height, etc are taken care of. It strengthens the adrenal glands, testicles and ovaries. The specialty of this exercise is that those for whom Head Stand is forbidden, even they can do this exercise. It is beneficial for 2-3 stages of asthma also because the shoulders become stable in this exercise. Thyroid gland and pituitary gland are activated resulting in height increase.

Lion Pose

Sit on your knees with thighs resting on shanks. Place your hands on your thighs. Inhale deeply. Now open your mouth wide with tongue sticking out as far as possible. Exhale through the open mouth making a sound resembling a lion's roar. While performing, try to rotate your eyes upward. Repeat 5-10 times.

Benefits: A fruitful remedy for all throat and thyroid problems. It stimulates blood flow to the throat area, strengthens the muscles around the thyroid gland and helps regulate thyroid function. Also beneficial for sore throat and voice problems.

Camel Pose

Sit in a kneeling position with knees hip-width apart. Place your hands on your lower back for support. Slowly bend backwards, letting your head go back. If comfortable, reach back and hold both ankles. Keep your thighs perpendicular to the floor. Feet remain on the ground. Hold and count 5 with normal breathing. Come back slowly and rest in Corpse pose. Repeat once more.

Benefits: Helpful in regulating the thyroid function. Opens the throat and chest area, stimulates the thyroid gland through deep neck extension. Strengthens back muscles and improves posture.

Half Spinal Twist

Sit with legs extended. Bend your right knee and place the right foot outside the left knee. Place your left arm outside the right knee and hold the right ankle or foot. Place your right hand behind you on the floor for support. Twist your torso to the right and look over your right shoulder. Keep your spine straight. Hold for 10-15 seconds with normal breathing. Switch sides and repeat.

Benefits: Helps to normalise the production of thyroid hormones. It cleanses and rejuvenates the body, stimulates the liver and kidneys, and helps to squeeze out toxins. Improves spinal flexibility and massages the abdominal organs.

Breathing Exercise

Sit in Easy pose. Close your left nostril with ring and little finger. Close your eyes and breathe in through right nostril. Then block your right nostril with thumb and breathe out with left nostril. Again breathe in with left nostril. Close your left nostril and breathe out with right nostril. Do this for 10 times. Change your legs and again do for 10 times.

Benefits: Benefits overall health and supports thyroid function. Alternate nostril breathing balances both hemispheres of the brain and promotes hormonal balance in the endocrine system including the thyroid gland.

Corpse Pose

Lie down on your back and relax your whole body, as if you have gone to sleep. Place a cold towel on top of the eyes. In this posture, keep the mind clean from all worries and thoughts. Corpse pose is mandatory after performing every set of other exercise. Do this for 5 minutes.

Benefits: Rest posture to be performed after every exercise. Allows the body to absorb the benefits of the exercises. Relaxes the nervous system and helps the thyroid gland return to a balanced state.