Saturday, January 12, 2013

Thyroid Gland: Functions, Problems And Remedies

By Sherly Samford


The butterfly-shaped gland which can be felt in the front of the neck is known as the thyroid gland. This gland makes use of our iodine intake so that thyroid hormones are produced. The hormones play an important role in the regulation of metabolic processes as well as help in other bodily function like growth. The efficiency of hormone production of this gland is controlled by another gland situated in the brain which is called the pituitary gland.

If this gland is under active or if it is not properly regulated, this can result to thyroid problem known as hypothyroidism. The latter can be caused by autoimmune thyroiditis, inflammation of the gland after pregnancy or postpartum thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis and acute one. If this gland in our neck is overactive or is producing too much hormone, it can cause what is known as hyperthyroidism. This is cause by Toxic multinodular goiter, grave's disease, Hashitoxicosis, excessive iodine intake and toxic nodule.

Numerous signs and symptoms according to the level of hormone deficiency may show that one person has hypothyroidism. Mental forgetfulness and fogginess is common coupled with fatigue and feeling excessively cold. Some women may have long period of menstruation with severe bleeding and experience very dry skin. For those who suffer hypothyroidism, feeling of heat intolerance and too much sweating is common. The menstruation is very irregular and with scant flow. People above 70 and those whose condition are mild may not feel any of these signs until the problem has worsened.

When the structure of the gland is not properly develop or suffering from abnormalities, a person may also experience thyroid problems. It can be a non-malignant cyst or a cancerous one which can either be anaplastic, papillary, follicular or medullary cancer. When the glands is enlarged, the condition is known as goiter and the sizes ranges from fairly noticeable to cosmetically unappealing which may need surgical removal. If a person suffers developmental abnormalities, the gland may also develop in an abnormal area.

There are also signs and symptoms which can be experiences when the structure of this gland has a problem. This may include tracheal or esophagus compression which leads to difficulty in swallowing and breathing. It may even reach the size wherein it becomes very cosmetically unappealing. The increase in size leads to bleeding which can cause local pain. If one has cancer problem in this gland, he may also experience systemic symptoms like change in appetite, night sweats, and weight loss.

Medication is commonly given to those who have over production of hormones while synthetic hormones are administered to those who are deficient in those hormones. Those whose trachea and esophagus are experiencing compression of the airways because of enlargement usually undergoes surgical treatment. If the person will not properly respond to the medication given, the other option is to undergo radioactive ablation. This is also the procedure for those who have or at risk of developing cancer.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Gimme your 2 cents!

Banner Ad