Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, excessive sweating, sleep disorders, anxiety, hypertension and tachycardia.

Diet watch

Consult your physician to plan your nutrition requirements. If you have had hyperthyroidism for months or years, you may become used to eating with no concern of weight gain due to the increased metabolic rate. When this condition is corrected with medication, you could experience weight gain. Monitoring your physically activity levels, diet and the dosage of your medications is extremely important in maintaining a healthy weight.

Exercise planning

Discuss with your physician the recommendations for physical exercise once your hyperthyroid condition is adequately controlled with medication. Regular monitoring of thyroid status and following an appropriate exercise plan can improve your overall health.

Incorporate a longer cool-down

Heart rate recovery after exercise is prolonged in hyperthyroidism, therefore it is essential to increase the duration of the cool-down. Allocate the last 10 minutes of your workout for a cool-down. A cool down helps your heart rate to return towards normal gradually and for the body to return to its resting state.

Include low impact cardiovascular exercise

Shortness of breath and exercise intolerance are common in hyperthyroidism. Therefore, low impact exercises performed regularly will strengthen the heart and lungs and also improve exercise tolerance. Perform these exercises only as much as the body can tolerate without straining or fatiguing the body. Cardiovascular exercises should be performed 4 to 6 days a week, for a duration of 20 to 30 minutes. Examples are walking, bicycling, rowing, swimming.

Avoid lifting heavy weights
 
Strength training exercises elevate the body’s metabolic rate. These can be included with the consent of your physician when the condition is well under control. Strength training exercises should be safely designed with the help of fitness professional. Heavy resistance weight training exercises are NOT recommended as they can elevate blood pressure. Do strength training exercises using light resistance 2 to 3 days a week.

Include relaxation exercises

Include deep breathing and relaxation exercises. This is because the respiratory muscles are often weak in hyperthyroidism and can be strengthened through the practice of breathing techniques.

Deep Breathing

What deep breathing does

Shallow breathing deprives the body of oxygen. The heart automatically compensates for this lack by pumping more blood. This increases the hearts workload and can elevate blood pressure. Simple deep breathing exercises and pranayama decrease stress and can lower blood pressure.

2 simple breathing exercises you can do:

1. Simple deep breathing
Do slow and deep inhalations and exhalations.

Benefits

Ø       Improves concentration

Ø       Increases lung capacity

Ø       Calms the mind

2. Diaphragm breathing
Lie down with your knees bent. Place your hands on your abdominals. Inhale, and feel the stomach expand, exhale, and the feel stomach sink down.

Benefits