Thyroid Disease: Know the Facts
Thyroid Disease is a world-wide reality
About 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease.Thyroid disorders for the most part are treatable; however, untreated thyroid disease can produce serious results in other parts of the body. Improved public awareness and understanding of thyroid disorders will enable patients and their families to cope more effectively with the sometimes disturbing course of thyroid illness. In this way individuals will also be better equipped to play a role in alerting their physicians to a suspected thyroid condition that may otherwise be difficult to diagnose in the sometimes slowly developing initial phases.
The thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. It weighs only about 20 grams. However, the hormones it secretes are essential to all growth and metabolism. The gland is a regulator of all body functions. Thyroid disorders are found in 0.8-5% of the population and are 4 to 7 times more common in women.
Types of thyroid disease
There are many types of thyroid disease. However, the main conditions present in most thyroid illnesses are hypothyroidism (thyroid under activity) and hyperthyroidism (thyroid over activity).
Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer
Thyroid nodules are common and treatable but should always be investigated since a small proportion of them are cancerous. The majority of thyroid cancers have a favourable prognostic and require a multidisciplinary approach (endocrinologist, surgeon, nuclear medicine specialist and sometimes oncologist). In the past years there has been a rise in the number of thyroid cancers being identified. There has been no change however, in the mortality rate.
Symptoms of thyroid disease
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions include:
Hypothyroidism
- weak slow heart beat
- muscular weakness and constant fatigue
- sensitivity to cold
- thick puffy skin and/or dry skin
- slowed mental processes and poor memory
- constipation
- goitre (increased size of the thyroid)
The Kamagra pills contain the similar active ingredients as that of Kamagra. 20mg tadalafil Kamagra is also available in the form of cheap viagra pills capsules from market. It has been said that if you keep this ailment untreated, then chances are that you may also become prone to injury, in addition to being sore and dysfunctional. cialis wholesale india One can experience a total inability to achieve an erection within the 36 hours after taking it. purchase viagra in uk
Hyperthyroidism
- rapid forceful heartbeat
- tremor
- muscular weakness
- weight loss in spite of increased appetite
- restlessness, anxiety and sleeplessness
- profuse sweating and heat intolerance
- diarrhea
- eye changes
- goitre (increased size of the thyroid)
- more on Hyperthyroidism
Each person’s experience of thyroid illness differs depending on a number of factors; a patient will not necessarily have all the above symptoms and some patients have the symptoms in the absence of thyroid disease. A physician should be consulted if thyroid illness is suspected.
The emotional aspects of thyroid illness
There may be emotional reactions to thyroid illness. Hyperthyroid patients often feel unusually nervous or irritable. Hypothyroid patients can feel unusual fatigue or depression. It is important for thyroid patients and their families to understand that these reactions are common and likely to resolve with treatment. It is also important to realize that some thyroid disorders develop very gradually and it can take a while before they disappear after treatment has been initiated. Since symptoms may not be easily recognized at first, subtle reactions in emotions or behaviour may be the only visible signs of thyroid disorder.
The need for monitoring
Thyroid patients require life-long monitoring. Patients who believe they have been completely cured of their thyroid illness should discuss the need for follow-up with their family physicians or thyroid specialists.
