During a flare up of Hashimoto’s disease, it is important to be aware that there are a variety of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that may arise. Physically, you might experience fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, hair loss, and digestive disturbances such as constipation and diarrhea.
There may also be changes in your skin, such as dryness, rashes, and pale patches. In addition, those with Hashimoto’s tend to be more sensitive to cold. Mentally, it is common to experience brain fog, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation.
Emotionally, you may find yourself more irritable, especially in response to stress.
It is important to note that no two individuals with Hashimoto’s experience a flare up in the same way. Furthermore, flare ups can come on suddenly and last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
During a flare up, it’s important to rest, eat a healthy diet, and do your best to manage stress. You should also be sure to communicate any changes or concerns with your healthcare provider. It is also important to track your symptoms over time in order to recognize patterns and identify potential triggers.
With your healthcare provider’s help, you can learn how to proactively manage flare ups and lead a healthy and balanced life.
What does a Hashimoto’s flare feel like?
A Hashimoto’s flare can cause a wide range of symptoms, and the intensity of symptoms can vary from person to person. Generally speaking, some common symptoms of a Hashimoto’s flare include fatigue and exhaustion, feeling generally unwell, joint and muscle pain, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, digestive issues such as constipation and bloating, mood swings and depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and an overall feeling of being unwell.
It can also lead to a disruption in normal daily activities and make it difficult to function in normal ways. Hashimoto’s flares can last for days or weeks, and can be triggered by stress, dietary changes, or other environmental factors.
While flares can be difficult to deal with, the good news is they will eventually pass. Keeping track of triggers and signs of a flare can help a person better prepare and manage it when it happens.
What are the symptoms of Hashimoto’s flare up?
The symptoms of a Hashimoto’s flare up can vary depending on the severity of your condition. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, joint pain and swelling, muscle aches, irregular menstrual cycle in women, weight gain, feeling cold even when it’s not cold, feeling sad or anxious, and brain fog.
Other symptoms can include constipation, dry skin, hair loss, rash, headaches, and prickly sensation on the skin. Milder Hashimoto’s flare ups can cause hair to become dry, brittle, and thin. In severe cases, the thyroid gland can become so inflamed that it affects other parts of the body, causing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
If your Hashimoto’s symptoms get worse or start to interfere with your daily life, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider immediately.
How do you calm a Hashimoto’s flare up?
If you are experiencing a Hashimoto’s flare up, the most important way to calm it is by getting plenty of rest. During these flare-ups, it is important to allow your body to restore its energy so that it can better fight off the flare-up.
To do this, ensure that you are getting a consistent amount of quality sleep on a nightly basis. Additionally, try to stick to a regular schedule of going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time each day.
Another way to reduce the severity of a Hashimoto’s flare up is to reduce the amount of stress you are experiencing. Stress can put additional strain on your body, intensifying the flare up. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day to relax and give your body a chance to rest and repair itself.
Additionally, incorporating stress reducing activities like yoga, deep breathing exercises, or journaling can help to calm your body and reduce the intensity of the flare-up.
Finally, one of the most important ways to reduce the severity of a Hashimoto’s flare up is through nutrition. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is free from processed foods and is high in nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to reduce inflammation and support your thyroid health.
Additionally, avoiding foods that can trigger an autoimmune response, such as gluten, dairy, and soy, is key to calming a Hashimoto’s flare up.
In conclusion, the key to calming a Hashimoto’s flare up is to get plenty of rest, reduce stress, and to follow a nutrient-rich diet free from inflammatory foods. By following these tips, you can reduce the intensity of a flare up and better manage your Hashimoto’s.
What aggravates Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroy the thyroid gland. It is the leading cause of hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid is underactive and cannot produce enough hormones needed to regulate metabolism.
Unfortunately, Hashimoto’s can be aggravated by a number of things, including:
– Stress: Increased physical and emotional stress has been shown to increase risk of Hashimoto’s symptoms.
– Environmental Toxins: Toxins such as heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides can be absorbed into the skin, or ingested in processed or packaged foods, leading to increased inflammation and aggravating symptoms.
– Dietary Factors: Dietary factors, including a lack of essential vitamins and minerals as well as some foods like gluten, can cause an inflammatory response in the body resulting in increased symptoms.
– Hormone Imbalances: Imbalances in hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, can affect how the body produces hormones, leading to aggravation of Hashimoto’s symptoms.
– Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise, have been linked to aggravating Hashimoto’s.
When should you go to ER for Hashimoto’s?
If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, it is important to monitor any potential symptoms due to the disorder. Certain signs and symptoms may require urgent medical attention and a trip to the Emergency Room.
These include difficulty breathing or swallowing, difficulty speaking, chest pain, fainting or blackouts, or sudden confusion. Additionally, if you experience an unusually rapid or sudden worsening of typical Hashimoto’s symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, or muscle and joint pain, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention in ER.
Additionally, if you have any of the following warning signs, go to the ER right away: swollen neck, jaundice, or shortness of breath. In the event of an emergency, it is recommended that you call 911 or seek emergency medical attention at a hospital.
How debilitating is Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s can be extremely debilitating, as it is an autoimmune thyroid disorder and can cause a wide range of symptoms. These can include fatigue, weight gain, depression, hair loss, constipation, dry skin, muscle and joint pain, and many more.
It can have far-reaching and serious effects on physical, mental and emotional health, so much so that it can interfere with a person’s quality of life and ability to work and perform everyday tasks.
In some cases, Hashimoto’s can even cause more serious complications, such as an increased risk for hypothyroidism, which can lead to an enlarged thyroid and difficulty informing hormones. In severe cases, Hashimoto’s can even lead to hypothyroidism coma, chronic heart arrhythmias, and heart failure if left untreated.
As such, it is important for those with Hashimoto’s to take steps to manage their condition, such as taking thyroid hormone replacement medication and making lifestyle changes, in order to minimize the symptoms and effects of this autoimmune disorder.
How do you get rid of inflammation from Hashimoto’s?
Treating inflammation associated with Hashimoto’s requires a twofold approach: lifestyle changes and medications. First, focus on lifestyle changes that may reduce inflammation. This includes eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables; ensuring that you exercise regularly; implementing stress-relief practices such as deep breathing exercises or yoga; and drinking plenty of water to help flush toxins from your system.
Additionally, certain supplements such as fish oil, turmeric, ginger, and curcumin, may also help reduce inflammation.
In addition to lifestyle changes, medications may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation. These may include corticosteroids such as prednisone, drugs that suppress the immune system such as methotrexate, or medications specifically designed to treat Hashimoto’s such as levothyroxine.
If medications are ultimately prescribed, be sure to communicate with your doctor regarding side effects and how to manage them.
It is important to discuss your treatment plan with your doctor in order to find the best options for your particular case. Making lifestyle changes and taking medications may take some time to show results, but are essential for reducing inflammation associated with Hashimoto’s.
What is the last stage of Hashimoto?
The last stage of Hashimoto’s is known as Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy (HE). HE is a neurological condition that occurs when certain antibodies attack and damage the brain. Symptoms of HE typically range from mild, such as headaches, confusion, and cognitive impairment, to severe, such as seizures and psychosis.
It is important to note that although this is the final stage of Hashimoto’s, diagnosis and treatment of this condition is not always straightforward.
Once HE has been suspected, further tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. These tests can include brain imaging, blood testing, and electroencephalogram (EEG). Treatment of HE typically consists of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and antithyroid drugs.
In some cases, surgery may also be required. Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to reduce the antibodies that are attacking and damaging the brain.
It is important to note that HE can be a serious condition, so it is important to watch for any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above and to seek medical attention if they are present. With appropriate treatment, it is possible to manage the symptoms of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy and help reduce the damage to the brain.
How do you reduce inflammation of the thyroid?
Reducing inflammation of the thyroid is an important part of managing thyroid conditions or diseases. The most important step in reducing inflammation of the thyroid is to identify and treat the cause.
For example, if a virus is the cause of the inflammation, then the doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication.
In addition, there are several lifestyle changes that can help reduce inflammation of the thyroid. It is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet, which should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
It is also important to limit refined sugars, processed foods, and trans fats from the diet. Regular physical activity like walking, jogging, swimming, or biking can also help reduce inflammation.
Managing stress is also important, as stress can increase levels of inflammation. Stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can all be beneficial. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption should also be avoided, as these can have a negative effect on the thyroid.
Getting adequate restful sleep each night is also important, as lack of sleep has also been linked to inflammation. Finally, if the thyroid is swollen or tender, hot or cold compresses or massaging the area gently may also help reduce inflammation.
What conditions are comorbid with Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition which leads to inflammation of the thyroid gland, and if left untreated, can lead to hypothyroidism. It’s estimated to affect over 5 million Americans. People with Hashimoto’s often have low levels of thyroid hormones, leading to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and depression.
The condition can also be associated with other health disorders, known as comorbid conditions.
Common comorbid conditions associated with Hashimoto’s include:
– Autoimmune diseases: Other autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison’s disease, and type 1 diabetes, can often occur in those with Hashimoto’s.
– Metabolic syndrome: A condition characterized by high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that occur together in the same person.
– Cardiovascular diseases: Hashimoto’s can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and certain heart valve disorders.
– Sleep apnea: Difficulty breathing during sleep, which can lead to several health risks, such as high blood pressure and heart failure.
– Gastrointestinal disorders: Hashimoto’s can often present with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease.
– Chronic fatigue: Exhaustion and excessive fatigue that can interfere with daily activities.
– Depression : Low levels of thyroid hormones can lead to depression and low mood, which may require medical intervention.
It’s important to closely monitor the progression of Hashimoto’s disease, as it can increase the risk of developing these comorbid conditions. If any of these conditions are suspected, it’s best to consult with a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Can Hashimoto’s turn into lupus?
No, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and lupus are two separate auto-immune diseases. Hashimoto’s is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland and gradually destroys it, causing the gland to become inflamed.
Meanwhile, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple parts of the body, resulting in symptoms such as joint pain, skin rashes, and extreme fatigue. Although both are autoimmune disorders, they have distinct symptoms and causes, and do not turn into one another.
However, it is possible for someone to have both Hashimoto’s and lupus. This is known as overlap syndrome, and happens when a person has symptoms of more than one autoimmune disorder. In these cases, the exact cause of the overlap is unknown, and it is advised to seek medical attention if both conditions are present.