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Acupuncture Treatment For Graves\' Disease

In treating the graves’ disease, acupuncture work on soothing the symptoms of this disease. The ac
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Graves’ Disease

Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands, often called Hyperthyroidism. Its name comes from the name of the doctor that first discovered the disease, his name was Robert J. Graves. He discovered the disease on a patient in Ireland, 1835. The disease is also called Basedow’s disease as another doctor, from Germany, described it in 1840. This term is more used in continental Europe than the Graves’ Disease.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS


SYMPTOMS

CAUSES

TREATMENTS

 

SYMPTOMS OF GRAVES DISEASE


The symptoms that involved the Graves’ disease are many, like Anxiety, Irritability, Weight Loss, Enlargement of the Thyroid Gland (Goiter), Erectile Dysfunction, Reduced Libido, Frequent Bowel Movements, Bulging Eyes (Ophthalmopathy), and Rapid or Irregular Palpitations or Heart Beat (Tachycardia). It can even cause problems in concentration, hair loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, and diarrhea.

It is important to know that many of these symptoms can be suffered at the same time, so it is very important to see a doctor immediately if suffering from any Graves’ Disease related symptoms, especially if it is any heart-related problem.

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CAUSES OF GRAVES DISEASE


Graves’ Disease is often caused by abnormal functioning of the immune system. When the Thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of the thyroid hormone, this is called Hyperthyroidism and occurs primarily when the Immune System mistakenly attacks a disease that can be inexistent in a healthy tissue or part of the human body.

This disease can happen to women and men equally, however, it is more common in women over the age of 20, but it can occur at any age and to any gender.

To detect the disease, the doctor or health care provider may find an enlarged Thyroid gland on the back part of the neck, it can also be detected by an increased heart rate. To have a better glance on the disease, a blood test to measure TSH, T3, and T4 levels may be necessary.
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TREATMENTS OF GRAVES DISEASE


There are many ways to treat Graves’ Disease, but the more common and effective is the Acupuncture. This practice is often delivered in patients suffering from tiredness, fatigue, muscle weakness and other simple Hyperthyroidism related symptoms, but not the disease as it is. However, this treatment is known to have worked on many patients by decreasing the effects of its symptoms.

 

Acupuncture Treatment For Graves’ Disease

Related Acupuncture Points:

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The Acupuncture Method of treating Hyperthyroidism consists of working directly with some acupoints like the Yin Qiao May which is a kidney point located at the medial side of the ankle, the Yang Qiao Mai, a bladder point which is located at a lateral side of the ankle and finally the Dai Mai Meridian, which is located at the waist level and works as a Liver and Gall Bladder point.

As this is not a proved practice to cure Hyperthyroidism or Ophthalmopathy, there is data backing up the decreased effect of some symptoms with the use of Traditional Acupuncture at a patient suffering from the Graves’ Disease.
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Footnotes

  1. What Is Graves’ Disease?, Written by Daniel J. Toft MD, Ph.D., http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/graves-disease/graves-disease-overview
  2. Diseases and Conditions : Graves’ Disease, mayoclinic.org, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20025811
  3. Graves disease, medlineplus.gov, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000358.htm
  4. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Thyroid Health, by Jillian L. Capodice, Lac,

    http://www.integrativepractitioner.com/whats-new/news-and-commentary/acupuncture-and-traditional-chinese-medicine-for-thyroid-health/