Goiter Disease Symptoms And Treatment: Enlarged Thyroid Gland Causes

Goiter Disease Symptoms And Treatment: Enlarged Thyroid Gland Causes . Generalized enlargement of thyroid gland is called goiter. Thyroid gland is butterfly shaped gland located in front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. Behind the thyroid gland lies wind pipe (larynx) and food pipe. Most of the times goiter is painless, however as it enlarges it can compress the wind pipe and the food pipe which causes difficulty in swallowing and breathing.

Thyroid gland produces hormones T3 Thyroxine and T4 triiodothyronine. These hormones regulate normal metabolism in the body. Lack of iodine is one and the most common cause of goiter disease all over the world.

Posted by http://signs-causes-treatment-prevention.blogspot.com Prevention And Detection Of Diseases At An Early Stage When The First Signs To Get The Most Effective Treatment.

Symptoms Of Goiter Disease

• Many times except enlargement of thyroid gland there are no other symptoms.
• Most of the time goiter is painless except in one condition called thyroiditis. It is inflammation of the thyroid gland caused due to virus infection.
• Difficulty in swallowing when the thyroid is too big and it compresses the esophagus.
• Cough
• Headache
• Difficulty in breathing due to enlargement and pressure on wind pipe.
• Hoarseness of voice.
• Symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as diarrhea, hair loss, fatigue, nausea and loss of weight etc.
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism like poor concentration, weight gain, depression etc.

Causes Of Enlarged Thyroid Gland

Several causes are noted for goiter disease:

Goiter disease can be divided into two types, the first type is simple non toxic goiter (Colloid goiter), second is multinodular goiter.

Posted by http://signs-causes-treatment-prevention.blogspot.com Prevention And Detection Of Diseases At An Early Stage When The First Signs To Get The Most Effective Treatment.

Simple non toxic goiter (Colloid goiter): In this type of goiter, the whole thyroid gland is enlarged in size.

• Iodine deficiency: It is the commonest of all the goiter disease causes all over the world. It occurs as a result of deficiency of iodine in our diet.
• Graves’s disease: It is an auto immune disease that causes the thyroid gland enlargement. There is increased production of thyroxin hormone in the condition.
• Thyroiditis: It is inflammation of the thyroid gland. There are various causes noted. Virus infection can be one such cause.
• Pregnancy and puberty.

Multinodular goiter:

• The thyroid gland forms many lumps or nodules over a period of time.

Single nodule goiter:

• A fluid filled sac called a cyst.
• Benign tumor
• Cancer

Treatment For Goiter Disease

Goiter disease treatment can depend on many factors such as the size of gland, symptoms and the cause behind it.

Besides the conventional treatment, there are alternative remedies that are found to be effective for overall well being.

• Iodine treatment is most useful in goiter disease. However it can be given in organic form. Liberal use of iodine containing foods is found very effective. Include foods such as seaweed, salt water fish, shellfish, garlic, onions, watercress, strawberries etc in your diet.
• Swamp cabbage is a natural source of iodine; it is highly beneficial in treating Exopthalmic goiter. A teaspoon of juice prepared from the leaves can be mixed with water or green tea in the morning and evening.
• Dandelion helps to relieve discomfort caused due to thyroid swelling.
• In case of cancer of thyroid gland, surgery may be required to remove a part or full of thyroid gland.
• Avoid smoking as it can harm the thyroid gland.