Today’s sedentary lifestyle and the technological conveniences at hand have significantly impacted our abilities to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Thyroid is a simple yet complex gland that controls numerous functions in the body. SinceJanuary is Thyroid Awareness Month, let’s talk about some key diseases related to this gland, that are especially prevalent in our demographic. However, before we jump into the conditions, symptoms, preventive strategies, and treatment plans, we must learn a little more about the Thyroid gland itself.

The Thyroid Gland

The Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is a part of the endocrine system. It is situated in the neck above the collarbone and creates the Thyroid hormones. These hormones affect other functions of the body such as the metabolic rate, heart rate, the body’s ability to regulate temperature, calcium levels, the female menstrual cycle and even the respiratory rate.

The Thyroid gland is one of the most important organs in the body and any dysfunction can have dire consequences that severely affect a person’s quality of life.

Diseases Related To The Thyroid Gland

Malfunctioning of the thyroid gland creates several diseases. This usually occurs when the gland is either overactive or underactive. However, thyroid diseases are multifaceted and can be caused by numerous factors and have varying symptoms. Women are more likely to have thyroid diseases after the age of 60 or after pregnancy or menopause. Below are some common thyroid diseases that are noteworthy due to their high prevalence:

• Goitre: Enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease: Overproduction of thyroid hormones by an overactive thyroid gland
• Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Disease: Insufficient production of thyroid hormones by an underactive thyroid gland
• Thyroid nodules: Lumpsfound in the thyroid gland
• Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland
• Thyroid cancer: Formation of cancerous cells in the tissues of the thyroid gland

DIAGNOSIS & SYMPTOMS

Thyroid disorders can cause drastic changes in the body. If not addressed immediately these changes worsen over a period of time. Symptoms of thyroid disorders include fluctuations in body weight and energy, anxiety, depression, digestion issues, muscle pain, slow or rapid heart rate, fatigue, mood swings etc. Though the signs are difficult to diagnose immediately, the earlier you spot them, the earlier you can start treatment. After taking a thorough physical exam and detailed medical history, your primary care physician will prescribe blood work, among other tests, to confirm the diagnosis of a thyroid disorder.

TREATMENT

Thyroid disorders have varying etiologies, and their treatments differ accordingly as well. Thyroid disorders caused by the body’s own immune system as known as autoimmune thyroid disorders, and a common example such a disorder is Hashimoto’s disease. antibodies produced by the body inadvertently attack its own cells, in this case, the thyroid gland. This leads to impairment in the functioning of the gland.

Patients diagnosed with an under-active thyroid gland are usually treated with artificial thyroid hormones whereas over-active thyroids are often treated with medications that reduce the activity and levels of the thyroid hormones.

PREVENTION & RISK FACTOR

Early diagnosis and thorough knowledge of your family and medical history are some preliminary steps for the management of thyroid disorders. If you do have a family history of thyroid disorders, then annual check-ups and keeping a track of any unusual symptoms can help you catch the disease at an early stage and receive timely treatment.

Self-examination of the neck can be done safely at home and can help individuals detect any unusual morphology early. Having a balanced diet with iodide and selenium can help to reduce the chances of an underactive thyroid. It has also been suggested that cigarette smokers are more likely to develop Grave’s disease, a type of hyperthyroidism. However, this may not be a direct cause for the disease.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid disorders are one of the most prevalent disorders in Pakistan. For this reason, it is imperative for all individuals to get regular check-ups to rule out thyroid-related illnesses. It is also recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, get plenty of exercise and have a balanced diet to reduce the chances of developing hormone-related disorders.