It’s not uncommon for people with Hashimoto’s to also have autoimmune attacks against their cerebellum, an area of the brain that plays a role in movement, coordination, and balance. Many Hashimoto’s patients also have gluten ataxia, a condition in which gluten triggers damage in the cerebellum.
Improving cerebellum function is important for several reasons. Poor cerebellum health worsens anxiety, stress, fatigue, insomnia, sound and light sensitivity, and intolerance to crowds. Poor balance is also a risk factor for falls.
Additionally, when the cerebellum degenerates, it speeds up the degeneration of the rest of the brain, so if you have poor balance, this is a red flag regarding your brain health.
Do you have these symptoms of poor cerebellum health?
- Do you wobble if you stand on one foot? How about with your eyes closed?
- Can you stand in a heel-to-toe position without swaying or stumbling? How about with your eyes closed?
- If you walk in a straight heel-to-toe line, do you stumble? How about with your eyes closed?
- If you stand with your feet together and close your eyes, do you sway to one side?
- Do you walk with a wide gait, or feel like you’ll fall if you don’t hold the handrail going down the stairs?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, inflammation may be degenerating your cerebellum.
How to improve your cerebellum health when you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism
There are several ways to protect the health of your cerebellum. One is to perform balance exercises like those listed in the symptom questions.
Or you can google the DUI test and use that for exercises – DUI testing essentially tests your cerebellum, which is significantly impaired by alcohol.
Yoga and tai chi are also beneficial. As your balance improves or if you are already athletic, continually challenge yourself, such as doing balance exercises on a wobbleboard or Bosu ball. Just be safe!
Exercise the vagus nerve to improve brain health
Another way to improve brain health when you have Hashimoto’s is to exercise the vagus nerve. The vagus is a large nerve that runs between the brain and the organs of the body. Activating the vagus nerve can improve the function of the organs and metabolic systems, such as digestive health. At the same time, it can also help activate the brain to improve brain health.
A few simple ways to tell if your vagus nerve may not be sufficiently active include not having much of a gag reflex; when you say, “ahhh” the uvula (the little punching bag at the back of your throat) does not rise much; or you are not able to swallow supplements.
How to activate the vagus nerve
- Gargle water as intensely as possible for three minutes, three times a day.
- Sing loudly. If you are alone at home or in the car, spend some time singing as loudly as you can.
- Using a tongue depressor, which you can buy on Amazon, gently press on the back of your tongue to make yourself gag. Do not poke the back of your throat. Do this several times a day.
- The caffeine in coffee enemas stimulates cholinergic receptors, stimulating vagus activity. The distention of the bowel through an enema also stimulates the vagus. Additionally, coffee enemas can be used for brain health in patients with brain degeneration who may struggle with regular bowel movements, leading to impacted bowels.
To learn more, download my free guide: 11 Strategies to Improve Brain Function.
