The practice of yoga has long been viewed as beneficial to achieving both physical and mental well-being. In fact, the American Cancer Society recognizes that yoga can help manage symptoms associated with health conditions including cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Yoga enthusiasts and scientific researchers alike have found that it can also benefit those with some type of thyroid disorder, which affects 27 million Americans, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. If you've been diagnosed with an underactive or overactive thyroid, consider incorporating yoga into your daily routine.
Identification
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck. Its primary function is to produce hormones that regulate activities related to metabolism including your heart rate and how fast your body burns calories. If you have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, the gland does not produce an adequate amount of hormones, causing symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, cold sensitivity and muscle weakness. In hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, too much hormone is produced. This can cause a rapid or irregular heart beat, anxiety, unintended weight loss and sweating.
Effects
Not treating your thyroid dysfunction can result in serious effects throughout your body. Having an underactive thyroid can lead to high cholesterol levels, nerve damage, depression and infertility. While rare, myxedema is also a serious complication that can develop as a result of hypothyroidism. This potentially fatal condition involves an increased intensity of symptoms that leads to unconsciousness. You may develop swelling of the skin, vision complications, heart problems and osteoporosis if you leave hyperthyroidism untreated. You can also develop thyrotoxic crisis, which involves the sudden onset of symptoms including a rapid heart beat and fever.
Benefits of Yoga
While it is important to view yoga not as a cure for thyroid disorders, it can be an accompaniment to your medical treatment. For example, an irregular heartbeat and anxiety are common symptoms of hyperthyroidism; practicing yoga can help you manage those effects through controlled breathing. It can relieve the joint and muscle pain associated with both types of thyroid disease. Research published in 2010 in the "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" found that participants with an underactive thyroid had improved lung function after 21 days of yoga practice.
Yoga Practice
The Yoga Journal recommends poses such as the full boat, plow and supported shoulderstand specifically for the thyroid. These poses may provide stimulation to the thyroid and relief of associated symptoms, such as aches or digestive issues. However, these movements require a great amount of flexibility and the risk for injury is considerable. Attempt these poses only if you are experienced or under the supervision of a qualified yoga instructor. Performing dhyana, or meditation, is an integral part of yoga and can produce calming affects both mentally and physically.
Other Treatment
Prescription drugs are used to treat thyroid disorders. Synthetic thyroid medications are the primary method of treatment for hypothyroidism and must be taken for the rest of your life, although the dosage may change over time. Drugs that reduce hormone production or shrink the thyroid are prescribed for hyperthyroidism; other medications may be required to treat the effects of the disorder, such as beta blockers. Surgery is rarely used in the treatment of an overactive thyroid, according to MayoClinic.com.
References
- American Cancer Society: Yoga
- Thyroid Awareness: Top 10 Things People Should Know About Thyroid Disorders
- US Dept of Health & Human Services: Office on Women's Health: Thyroid Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Hypothyroidism
- MayoClinic.com: Hyperthyroidism
- National Institutes of Health: MedlinePlus: Heart Palpitations
