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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have Graves' disease, make your mental and physical well-being a priority.
- Eat well and exercise. This can enhance the improvement in some symptoms while being treated and help you feel better in general. For example, because your thyroid controls your metabolism, you may have a tendency to gain weight when the hyperthyroidism is corrected. Brittle bones can also occur with Graves' disease and weight-bearing exercises can help maintain bone density.
- Ease stress as much as you can. This may be helpful, as stress may trigger or worsen Graves' disease. Listening to music, taking a warm bath or walking can help relax you and put you in a better frame of mind.
Partner with your doctor to construct a plan that incorporates good nutrition, exercise and relaxation into your daily routine.
For Graves' ophthalmopathy
These steps may make your eyes feel better if you have Graves' ophthalmopathy.
- Apply cool compresses to your eyes. The added moisture may soothe your eyes.
- Wear sunglasses. When your eyes protrude, they're more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and more sensitive to bright light. Wearing sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your head will also lessen the irritation of your eyes from the wind.
- Use lubricating eyedrops. Eyedrops may relieve the dry, scratchy sensation on the surface of your eyes. A paraffin-based gel, such as Lacri-Lube, can be applied at night.
- Elevate the head of your bed. Keeping your head higher than the rest of your body lessens fluid accumulation in the head and may relieve the pressure on your eyes.
For Graves' dermopathy
If the disease affects your skin (Graves' dermopathy), use over-the-counter creams or ointments containing hydrocortisone to relieve swelling and reddening. In addition, using compression wraps on your legs may help.
References
- Graves' disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/Graves.pdf. Accessed April 19, 2011.
- Brent GA. Clinical practice: Graves' disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(24):2594.
- Bahn RS. Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;362:726.
- Bartalena L, et al. Clinical practice: Graves' ophthalmopathy. The New England Journal of Medicine 2009;360:994.
- Davies T, et al. Thyrotoxicosis. In: Kronenberg HM, et al., eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-3/0/1555/0.html#. Accessed April 20, 2011.
- Thyroid disorders in pregnancy. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec18/ch261/ch261q.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
- Stan MN, et al. Risk factors for development or deterioration of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Thyroid. 2010;20:777.
- Ross DS. Radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;364:542.
- Hyperthyroidism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch152/ch152e.html. Accessed April 19, 2011.
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