Study of the effects of selected Yoga practices on hyperthyroidism in men

Abstract

Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increased thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion from the thyroid gland, whereas thyrotoxicosis refers to the clinical syndrome of excess circulating thyroid hormones, irrespective of the source. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease, followed by toxic nodular goitre. Other important causes of thyrotoxicosis include thyroiditis, iodine-induced and drug-induced thyroid dysfunction, and factitious ingestion of excess thyroid hormones. Treatment options for Graves' disease include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, and surgery. However, antithyroid drugs are not generally used long term in toxic nodular goitre, because of the high relapse rate of thyrotoxicosis after discontinuation. Hyperthyroidism is a disease of thyroid gland which creates many problems in the body. Thirty male subjects belonging to the age group of 38 - 53 years were chosen randomly from the people came to attend special yoga therapy camp for Hyperthyroidism organized by Yoga Vidya Vibhag from 12 January to 10 April 2017 at Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad. The objective of the camp was to observe the effects of some selected yoga practices on Hyperthyroidism. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (A & B ), each group comprised 15 subjects. Group A was an experimental group and group B was a control group. The subjects belonging to the experimental group i.e. group-A, underwent yogic training , four days in a week for 45 minutes. No practice was given to the experimental group. No specific training was imparted to the control group.

Before the practice session started, all the subjects belonging to both the group underwent a thyroid test and after 90 days of the experimental period again the test was administered.

The statistical analysis of data showed that selected yoga program is effective in controlling hyperthyroidism but no significant result was found in control group.