The most common abnormality today is the change in the size of the thyroid gland, which can be detected not only in adults, but also in children. In most cases, this problem is common in women. In endocrinology, this change is called goitre.
The reduction or enlargement of the thyroid gland in size indicates the existence of severe diseases in humans, it is dangerous because at first did not give much importance to it and start the disease .However, there are cases when a change in the thyroid gland in size is not a danger. Everything depends on what influenced the course of the disease.
Classification of the disease
Depending on the degree of disease in medicine, several stages are distinguished that give a characteristic of the process of increasing the thyroid gland.
Changes occurring in the thyroid gland should be divided into such degrees of disease:
- zero - thyroid gland of standard sizes, no changes are observed, this is the normal condition of the organ;
- the first - the organ is slightly enlarged, while the food moves to the esophagus and with an unhealthy feeling, an isthmus is felt. An increase in 1 degree can be diagnosed by blood analysis, using ultrasound or computed tomography. At this stage, the disease can be prevented by medication and stopped in time;
- with second degree of isthmus not only is felt, but also noticeable with visual examination, the thyroid lobe can be felt, possibly the appearance of non-malignant nodes. This waiting period, when the doctor must decide on the nature of the disease;
- on the third stage, you can not only feel the degree of thickening, but also see an increase in both parts of the thyroid, which creates a kind of swollen neck. Judging by the degree of the disease, the doctor can determine the malignant tumor or benign formation. For this purpose, a number of additional tests are assigned. Perhaps - these are changes that indicate hormonal changes in the body of pregnant women;
- on the penultimate - fourth degree of the disease clearly distinguished goiter with asymmetric bulging of the thyroid gland. Palpable organ with pain;
- the fifth stage is characterized by a change in the thyroid gland several times over the normative index. Especially painful is the palpation of the gland.
The process of changing the thyroid gland is well traced on palpation in view of changes in the density and mobility of the organ. If the thyroid gland is elastic and fairly soft, then this is the norm. Detection of a dense organ creates all the prerequisites for the development of cancer.
The presence of nodes is indicated by painful sensations that are observed when swallowing saliva and palpation. There may be an inflammatory process. Moreover, if you notice that the organ does not move, this fact can serve as a signal for the development of the oncological process of .
In view of the fact that the level of thyroid hormones can be reduced or increased, hypo- and hyperthyroidism should be distinguished. There are cases when changes in the thyroid gland occur without changing the level of hormones in the human body. Sometimes there is also a pseudodysfunction of the thyroid gland, when all the symptoms indicate a disease, but in reality the organ works in the usual mode. This situation is most often observed in sick patients and depleted people. Therefore curing the main disease, there is no need to treat thyroid .
Therefore, before appointing a course of treatment, the doctor must determine the extent to which the disease is started. On this depends the effectiveness of treatment. In the absence of painful sensations, the active movement of the organ together with the cartilage while swallowing can be calm for the health of the thyroid gland.
Main Symptoms and Causes of
Changes in the thyroid gland accompanied by an increase in the thyroid often do not appear immediately. Moreover, this disease is similar in its symptoms to disorders and disorders of the central nervous system. Therefore, it can easily be confused.
The main signs of a change in the endocrine gland to which attention should be paid:
- An increase or decrease in weight is observed as a result of a decrease or increase in some thyroid functions;
- Nervous disorders, constipation, intestinal peristalsis or rapid defecation, which indicates an increased production of hormones. This leads to an acceleration of metabolic processes;
- Fatigue and insomnia appear with hyperteriosis on the background of activating the production of hormones by the endocrine gland. Hypoteriosis causes the patient to have increased drowsiness, which indicates decrease in the rate of metabolic processes ;
- Heat or trembling in the body, chills occur as a result of increased or decreased activity of the thyroid gland. The sensitivity to temperature fluctuations arises because the metabolism is accelerated or slowed down;
- Increased sweating of the whole body due to imbalance of hormones;
- Swelling of the face, neck, cheeks and lips;
- Shortness of breath, a feeling of stuffiness and shortness of breath;
- Increased and pain in the neck;
- Memory impairment, decreased intelligence;
- Increased heart rate.
These signs are the first signal, then the disease progresses. The thyroid gland begins to expand - it exerts compressive pressure on the respiratory and food tubes, as well as blood vessels.
Due to the fact that the flow of blood to the head is difficult, there are such signs as a feeling of pressure in the head area. If the disease progresses significantly, then becomes painful to swallow dry food and pieces of considerable size .
When the thyroid gland grows, dry cough and rales in the voice may appear. This is due to the impact of pressure on the tube of the trachea and damage to the vocal cords. Lack of iodine disrupts the balance of hormones in the body, so women suffers suffocation, dizziness is possible, the frequency of colds increases.
It should be understood that these pathological processes are very dangerous for the body. The main cause of problems with the thyroid is the lack of iodine. If the thyroid gland ceases to receive its iodine norm, it begins to increase. Accelerated metabolism, persistent stress and decreased immunity also cause an increase in thyroid size.
To correct the situation, it is necessary to increase the daily intake of iodine. Otherwise, irreversible processes in the body are inevitable and it will be necessary to take hormones for the rest of their life.
Features of thyroid enlargement in women
Among women, changing the thyroid gland is a fairly common form. This occurs as a result of an imbalance in the level of active substances that are produced by the thyroid gland, and is observed more often in the female body than in men.
For all the physiological and metabolic processes in the body, biologically active substances - hormones that form in the glands of internal secretion - are responsible. Therefore, if the thyroid gland does not have time to develop a certain amount of hormones or, conversely, it works in an accelerated mode, then the body experiences disruptions. In particular, miscarriage of the menstruation cycle has a significant impact not only on the functioning of the thyroid gland, but also on the reproductive system.
Because of such violations of , women are less able to conceive , thyroid glands are enlarged, the state of health worsens, limbs begin to tremble, hair grows dull and hair falls out.
The most sensitive to changes in the thyroid gland during the menopause, pregnancy and postpartum period. During this period, it requires special attention, so it is necessary to maintain immunity, to avoid not only stresses, but also iodine deficiency in the body.
This problem is especially widespread in pregnant women , which is associated with a change in the hormonal background of the body during this period. If the female body is completely reconstructed, then it experiences tremendous stress during the course of pregnancy.
In the first months, the embryo additionally releases a hormone, which by structure is an analog of thyroid-stimulating hormone. The increased growth of this hormone promotes an increase in the thyroid gland and its level is normalized before delivery.
It should be noted that hormone deficiency in pregnant women is extremely rare. Most often, its deficiency is observed in infertile women.
A fairly common disease in pregnant women is hypothyroidism, which occurs in 19 out of 1000. It is difficult to determine its fairly long period. The process of hypothyroidism is characterized by the following nonspecific symptoms:
- weakness and drowsiness;
- irritability and depressiveness;
- decreased attention and intelligence;
- reduced operability and rapid appearance of fatigue;
- convulsions and a feeling of cold;
- shortness of breath and frequent headaches;
- hair loss and dry skin;
- number of others.
These changes are associated with a decrease in the production of thyroid hormone. Along with physical fatigue, there is inhibition and damage to the senses. However, these are all trivialities in comparison with the problems of the cardiovascular system.
This disease is particularly dangerous for the fetus. Thanks to medicine, it is now easy to cope with complications by the correct and timely medical treatment of
. The least common in pregnant women is hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by increased activity of the thyroid gland and accelerated metabolism. It is very difficult to diagnose it, because it can be confused with the symptoms of , which a woman faces in the first trimester of pregnancy.
However, if symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, fever, nervousness and active sweating were seen, then the first signs of this disease can be judged. They pose a particular danger if they were seen before pregnancy.
If you notice any symptoms of an increase in the thyroid gland, you should immediately call your doctor. This will help in a timely manner to identify the main signs and causes of the disease, which will not only prevent the appearance of the disease, but also cure the disease without health consequences.
