The
patients of thyroid are increasing in India day by day. The
disease has no cure, but it could be controlled by medication.
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| Anterior thyroid in Throat Wikimedia Commons by CFCF |
The
deficiency of Iodine is the chief cause of thyroid and it may lead to brain
damage.
The
researchers are working throughout the world to find the causes and cures for the problem of the thyroid.
But
it is certain that the chief cause for thyroid is genetic. The families having
a history of thyroid disease are more prone to get afflicted with the
problem. The iodine
deficiency is the primary cause of thyroid which may even lead to brain damage.
Regular
Monitoring
At present
more than 86% of the people of the world have access to iodized salt. The regular
monitoring of the levels of the thyroid is necessary to keep the problem under
control.
It
is necessary to regularly check the presence of thyroid problem during pregnancy
and after the age of 30 years.
One out
of 10 adults in India is suffering from hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid
gland fails to secrete sufficient amount of thyroid hormone. The symptoms are
tiredness, pain in joints and muscles, obesity, dry skin, hoarse voice,
irregular menstruation etc. here the thyroid is less active.
Safety,
Precautions and symptoms
If left
untreated the hypothyroidism leads to the problem of goiter. It causes a stiif
neck. Besides it also leads to serious problems like atherosclerosis, stroke,
cholesterol boost, infertility, and severe weakness.
Hyperthyroidism
In
hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland becomes more active and the thyroid hormone is
produced in excess which causes grave diseases and even tumor. In grave
diseases, the antibodies are produced in the body. As a result, the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone and the chain reaction starts. Hyperthyroidism
is caused by the excess use of iodine and hormone medicines. The symptoms of
hyperthyroidism are excess sweating, increase in the size of the thyroid gland,
increased heart rate, swelling around the eyes, hair thinning, skin becomes soft, etc. But the cases of hyperthyroidism are very few.
If left
untreated, it may cause serious problems like cardiac arrest, arrhythmias
(abnormal heartbeat, either slow or fast or irregular), osteoporosis, cardiac
dilation. Besides, it may cause symptoms like abortion, premature birth, preeclampsia
(increased blood pressure during pregnancy), and improper development of the fetus.
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| Goiter Wikimedia Commons by Almazi(talk) |
It
also leads to Hashimoto thyroiditis in which the thyroid hormones are released from
the thyroid gland due to the swelling in the thyroid gland and the patient
becomes a victim of hyperthyroidism. The size of the thyroid gland increases in
goiter and it often happens due to the deficiency of iodine. The symptoms are swollen
throat, stiff neck, cough, and a problem in breathing.
Thyroid
Cancer
It generally
occurs after the age of 30 years. This type of cancer is found in the tissue of
thyroid gland. There are often no symptoms and a knot type cyst appears in the
throat. It is due to environmental and hereditary causes. The cure includes
surgery, hormone therapy, radioactive iodine, radiation and sometimes chemotherapy.
As a
safety measure the experts advise a drastic change in lifestyle, balanced
diet, and regular checkup.
