We have all heard that "goiter" — a disease that affects the thyroid gland and externally manifests itself in a significant increase in it, which leads to an increase in the volume of a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe neck. What happens in the body, what are the causes of goiter? How is goiter treated, and most importantly, how to detect and prevent the development of this disease in time, which, alas, is very common today? We offer together with estet-portal.com to find answers to these very topical questions, because certain disorders in the thyroid gland can cause severe health consequences.
Goiter - what is it: let's define the terminology
Did you know that the tiny thyroid gland, which weighs about 20 g in a healthy person, regulates many of the most important processes in the body. The thyroid gland "manages" energy metabolism, the effect of the hormones produced by it — thyroxine and triiodothyronine are necessary for the functioning of all organs, including cardiac and brain activity, muscle tone and the normal course of metabolic processes. For the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, the human body needs foods that contain iodine in sufficient, but not excessive amounts.
It should be remembered that the thyroid gland itself is not so invulnerable. Many factors of various nature have been identified, which, having a negative impact on the functioning of the thyroid gland, cause a number of pathological processes in its tissues, leading to an increase in this organ. This phenomenon is due to the appearance of nodes, which are multiple fibrous scars. In the early stages of the disease, such an increase can only be diagnosed by palpation, later stages are noticeable by visual examination.
Symptomatology: how a goiter may manifest itself
Malfunctions and problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland are inevitably associated with general well-being. Endocrinologists believe that the first "alarming bells" are not caused by objective conditions:
· emotional instability;
· irritability;
· drowsiness;
· lethargy;
· weakness.
When thyroid function is weakened, there may be:
· memory deterioration;
· appearance of edema;
· dry skin;
· brittle hair;
· weight gain;
· pain and muscle spasms;
· tendency to constipation.
In addition, women may experience menstrual irregularities.
However, in the later stages of the disease, the enlarged thyroid gland presses on nearby organs, which can cause:
· difficulty breathing, accompanied by attacks of suffocation;
· appearance of hoarseness in the voice;
· trouble swallowing;
· a feeling of heaviness in the head.
Main forms of thyroid goiter
Since various pathological processes lead to the development of goiter, experts distinguish several main forms of this disease.
Endemic goiter
This form of the disease is considered the most common. An increase in the volume of the gland leads to a change in the functionality of this organ. In conditions of iodine deficiency in the body, adaptive mechanisms are activated that support the synthesis of triiodothyronine and cause increased secretion of thyrotropin. It is the elevated level of this hormone, which has a goiter effect, that is the main cause of the disease.
Among other causes of the development of an endemic form requiring treatment of goiter, there are:
· hereditary factor;
· impaired synthesis of thyroid hormones;
· insufficient intake of some trace elements involved in biosynthesis processes;
· the use of drugs that prevent the absorption of iodine;
· chronic inflammatory processes.
Goiter Hashimoto
It should be noted that in countries where iodized salt is used, another form of the disease is more common, which is known as autoimmune thyroiditis (or Hashimoto's goiter).
The disease is caused by autoimmune disorders in the body and can be latent for a long time. In such cases, complaints of weakness and fatigue are noted.
However, a progressive disease is accompanied by an increase and degeneration of thyroid tissue, which can cause & nbsp; compression of the esophagus and trachea. Other symptoms of the disease include:
· shortness of breath;
· memory deterioration;
· tendency to constipation;
· reduced sexual function;
· appearance of puffiness;
· dry skin and hair.
Diffuse toxic goiter
This form of the disease is due to hereditary predisposition to autoimmune processes. The factors that can provoke the development of the disease, experts include:
· consequences of severe mental trauma;
· inflammatory processes in the body;
· consequences of traumatic brain injury;
· presence of advanced diseases of the nasopharynx.
The disease leads to increased secretion of thyroid hormones, which, in turn, causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations of this pathology:
· disturbance of cardiac activity (tachycardia, hypertension, heart failure);
· various endocrine disorders, such as weight loss, menstrual irregularities, poor heat tolerance;
· dermatological problems;
· neurological pathologies;
· many characteristic ophthalmic pathologies (including bulging eyes).
Modern methods for diagnosing thyroid goiter
Among the classical methods of diagnosing this disease, laboratory tests of the patient's blood and urine should be noted. With a confirmed diagnosis in the patient's blood, the balance of thyroid hormones is disturbed. At the same time, the content of thyreglobulin in the blood is usually increased, and the content of iodine in the urine has reduced values.
Advances in modern medicine make it possible to diagnose goiter by ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, which makes it possible to more accurately determine the form of the disease.
In addition, to assess the functional state of the affected organ, a radioisotope scan may be performed.
When a nodular type of endemic goiter is detected, before prescribing goiter treatment, specialists perform a thyroid biopsy. Such a study is necessary to exclude or confirm the malignant nature of the neoplasms.
If after palpation, the specialist assumes that the patient develops a goiter, he prescribes the following:
· a blood test to determine the ratio of hormones;
· electrocardiograms;
· study of certain reflexes (tendon type reflexes);
· Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
The main directions and methods of goiter treatment
In case of hypofunction of the thyroid gland, substitution therapy is used as the main method of treating goiter, the purpose of which is to compensate for the lack of appropriate hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Of course, taking hormonal drugs should be under the supervision of a doctor so as not to cause a negative result.
Hyperfunction of the thyroid gland is much more difficult to treat goiter conservatively, in which case there is a need for surgical intervention. Despite the fact that the operation is complicated by many factors, this method is used quite often, since in these cases there is no alternative. As a result of the operation, it is possible to change the type of the disease and in the future to maintain a relatively comfortable condition of the patient due to substitution therapy.
It should be remembered that a severe form of hypothyroidism can lead to a coma, and if the goiter is not properly treated, hyperthyroidism can cause a toxic crisis, which often leads to death.
And this means that any deviation in the work of the endocrine system requires a thorough study by a specialized specialist. Patients who are already undergoing goiter treatment should follow the prescribed diet and other recommendations of the doctor.
How to prevent thyroid goiter
Is it possible to prevent the development of the disease? Actually, each time adding to the dishes that make up our usual, everyday diet, & nbsp; iodized salt, we are already taking "preventive measures" by providing our body with enough iodine.
However, there are categories of the population for whom such a measure may not be enough. Among them are children, teenagers, pregnant women. In this case, the specialist may recommend taking appropriate drugs (for example, based on potassium iodide). However, of course, take such drugs only after consulting a specialist who will indicate not only the type of medicine, but also its exact dosage.
We should not forget about foods rich in iodine. By including them in our diet, we also prevent the appearance of iodine deficiency in our body. The problem of dysfunction of the thyroid gland — one of the most complex and relevant topics that are difficult to reflect in a small article. Read more interesting and up-to-date information on the website estet-portal.com.
Read also: Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that performs vital functions
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