Hypothyroidism

Have you been feeling weak, depressed or have joint pains of late? The answer could lie in the functioning of your thyroid gland

 

A well-oiled sedan will purr into activity with a gentle push on the accelerator. Likewise, the organs of the human body purr into harmonious activity with the normal functioning of one gland, the thyroid. It produces two hormones — triiodothyronine or T3 and thyroxine or T4 which maintain the metabolism of the body and the organs . But things can go wrong if the accelerator gets jammed and the slowness sets in, a condition that is termed Hypothyroidism.

There is a tiny area in the brain called Hypothalamus that urges the Pituitary gland to engage all the endocrine glands of the body to produce hormones at a given rate and amount. The pituitary gland acts as the “Master of the Endocrine orchestra”. It produces the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or TSH that in turn initiates the thyroid gland.

It is positioned on the throat and can be seen moving up and down while swallowing. All is well when these two hormones, T3 and T4, are produced in requisite amounts. It is only when the gland does not produce these hormones for various reasons that changes set in.

Depending on the rate at which the hormones fall, the symptoms vary. Typically fatigue, sluggishness, weight gain, hoarseness of voice and decreased resistance to cold weather are cardinal symptoms usually observed. There is decreased sweating and the skin becomes thick while the growth of hair could be more coarse.

Menstrual irregularities are common as the hormones has its effect on the ovarian tissue and ovulation is delayed while the cycle is delayed and the bleeding is less than usual. There could be a swelling of the tongue and could cause difficulty in breathing, especially at night. And the decreased endurance levels mean that subjects find themselves breathless more easily and cannot take exercise to the usual peaks.

It can influence the heart thereby increasing blood pressure and blood cholesterol, while impairing the overall function of the heart muscles. The sluggishness extends to the digestive system and constipation becomes an issue. Dryness of the eyes is not an unusual feature.

Muscle cramps and joint pain is usual while brittle nails and skin become more apparent. Last but not least is the impact on the psyche due to fatigue and weakness. Not surprisingly, people suffering from depression and other psychological disorders also seem to suffer from thyroid deficiency.

This condition sets in when the immune system seems to misconstrue the thyroid tissue to be of bad influence and inhibits its function. In cases where the thyroid function has been more, if there is application of radioactive iodine or surgical removal of the gland is done partially, the glandular function decreases. It could be secondary due to intake of certain medications or just a deficiency of iodine in the diet.

To coax the cells of the gland to work better is the need of the hour even if obstacles such as medication and infection are dealt with. Homoeopathic medicine has good remedies like Calc carb, Ignatia, Aurum met, Thuja, Natrum mur, Argentum nitricum, Thyroidin etc. which stimulate the activity and production of these hormones. These can act complementarily so that the need for supplementation of hormones can be reduced.
Rheumatoid arthritis

I have been suffering with pain in various joints of the body for about a decade now. Some of the fingers cannot be flexed. What’s the alternative?
abc Pain, swelling, stiffness of the joints spreading from one joint to the other causing loss of architecture of the joint is the effect of this auto immune disease. To see that the episodes decrease in intensity and frequency even as symptomatic relief is attained is the need which Homoeopathic medicines tries to fulfill with remedies like Arnica, Rhus tox, Kalmia, Ledum pal, Ruta etc. Consult a Homoeopath.

Prostatitis

I am a 41-year-old male and had a severe bout of pain abdomen with fever and chills, which would not be kept under check for three days and it was diagnosed to be Prostatitis. I have had these episodes three times in the last two years. There is still some burning pain while passing urine.

Rajeev Inflammation of the prostate gland due to infection can cause such episodes. Your Homoeopath will help you by prescribing Belladonna, Cantharis, Lycopodium, Thuja, Chimaphila etc. where appropriate to relieve the episodes.