Today, because of our unhealthy lifestyle diseases are becoming very common in every household and thyroid is one of them. So, in this article we will see how some healthy choices can help prevent thyroid and why you should opt Yoga for thyroid.
What is Thyroid Disease?
Thyroid disease is a condition that keeps your thyroid gland (a.k.a. metabolism manager) from making the optimum amount of hormones which controls your metabolism.
There are Two Types of Thyroid Disease:
- Hyperthyroidism: When thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormones. It is also known as Overactive thyroid.
- Hypothyroidism: When thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormones. It is also known as Underactive thyroid. This type of thyroid is most common.
What are the Higher Risk Factors of Developing Thyroid?
- Family history
- Medical conditions
- Excessive or deficiency of iodine
- Menopause
- Older than 60
- Recent pregnancy
- Anxiety or stress
- Not taking enough sleep
- Obesity
What are the higher risk factors of developing thyroid?
- Family history
- Medical conditions
- Excessive or deficiency of iodine
- Menopause
- Older than 60
- Recent pregnancy
- Anxiety or stress
- Not taking enough sleep
- Obesity
Some Common Symptoms of Thyroid
Hyperthyroidism
- anxiety, irritability and nervousness
- trouble sleeping
- weight loss
- enlarged thyroid gland or a goitre
- muscle weakness and tremors
- irregular menstrual periods or having your menstrual cycle stop
- sensitive to heat
Hypothyroidism
- Feeling tired (fatigue)
- forgetfulness
- Weight gain
- hoarse voice
- dry and coarse hair
- frequent and heavy menstrual periods
- intolerance to cold temperatures
How To Cure Thyroid?
3 ways to start with –
1. Lifestyle Modification:
- Adopting yogic lifestyle
- Eating balanced diet (sattvic food, mitahara)
- Balanced intake of iodine
- Taking at least 8 hour sleep
- Avoiding stressful conditions
2. Yoga Asana For Thyroid:
It is a well-known fact that practising yoga for thyroid can reverse its severe effects; most of these poses are considered throat-stimulating. They’re thought to improve circulation and energy flow around the thyroid, and stretch and strengthen the neck. You only need to begin it with experts from traditional yoga institutes like Kaivalyadhama.
Here Some Asanas for Thyroid –
- Viparita Karni
- Sarvangasana
- Ushtrasana
- Halasana
- Setu Bandhasana
- Matsyasana
- Dhanurasana
- Bhujangasana
3. Pranayama & Meditation:
- Pranayama can help balance blood sugar and increase metabolism.
- The regular practice of pranayama results in slower, calmer breathing which benefits the respiratory, circulatory, nervous and digestive systems.
- The two specific kinds of pranayama for thyroid
1. Ujjayi pranayama
2. Bhramari pranayama
Thyroid Today
Today thyroid is affecting nearly 42 million Indians. It can be present at birth and it can develop as you age. A woman is about 5 to 8 times more likely to be diagnosed then a man because their hormones keep on changing most commonly due to menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Thus, taking measures to tackle this disease is the need; adopting yoga for thyroid can be one of the most substantial ways.
Conclusion
No yoga can cure thyroid permanently but yogic lifestyle can improve thyroid functioning and can bring positive effects by preventing further complications. Yoga for thyroid aims for balancing your energy, hormonal levels, flexibility, and relieving stress as one of the most natural remedies and keeps our glands healthy. It saves you from severe thyroid complications.
Ms. Chhavi Agarwal
I am post graduate in English literature and pursuing PG diploma in yoga education
(2021 batch) at Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala.