In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will offer to undergo a full examination. Almost always with retrosternal goiter, specialists prescribe surgical treatment. However, patients can avoid it and cope with the disease with the help of unconventional methods of therapy. This option is the most sparing for the body. After all, after surgery, it is necessary to use thyroid-stimulating hormones throughout life, we can say that a person becomes completely dependent on them. Therefore, surgical intervention should be left as a last resort, and it is desirable to restore the body with more gentle methods. This article will answer the question of what to do when such a disease appears.
What is sternal goiter
With the named disease, an excessively large thyroid is observed, localizing too low. Such a phenomenon may be caused by diffuse toxic goiter, sporadic non-toxic or endemic goiter, autoimmune thyroiditis or ectopy of the thyroid gland, received at birth. As soon as the goiter increases in size, it begins to put pressure on the respiratory system and blood vessels, and this is fraught with the fact that a person may feel suffocation, dizziness, he has a change in complexion and other side effects. Also, due to this disease, the development of various problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland is possible.
By localization, goiter is divided into sternum, diving and intrathoracic. There are many ways to treat such an ailment. In the early stages, it is treated with medications and folk remedies. But later they already resort to the removal of sternal thyroid goiter. The treatment is long, but more of this problem will not bother the patient.
Why does this disease appear?
The most important reason for the occurrence of this ailment is called anatomically reduced location of the thyroid gland, which is treated surgically.
If changes occur in the endocrine organ, as a result of which nodes are formed, then over time, in the process of pathological proliferation, they will pull the thyroid gland down, and then lower it into the sternum-clavicular region.
Due to the process mentioned above, the nodal formations of the thyroid gland, subject to their own gravity, will grow towards the least resistance, that is, into the mediastinal zone, where the tissues are very malleable.
This means that most of the growing goiter can move beyond the sternum.
In a similar situation, only the upper thyroid pole remains in the cervical region.
The doctor will definitely conduct an examination. On palpation, he can determine the enlargement of the organ near the jugular notch (upper edge of the chest).
Symptomatology
The entire set of manifestations of this disease depends on what pathological changes are observed in the thyroid gland. For example, is there a change in its level, is there compression pressure on nearby organs.
Often, all patients experience the following symptoms:
- feeling of shortness of breath;
- discomfort in the neck, distortion of its shape;
- the appearance of a hoarse and low voice or its complete loss;
- the occurrence of a strong cough;
- problems with performance, the appearance of fatigue;
- excessive emotionality, irritability is observed.
The threat of nodes
Large nodes in the thyroid gland are quite dangerous for both health and human life. They put pressure on the respiratory system and blood vessels, in addition, at any time, the nodes can become benign neoplasms or malignant. For this reason, patients with such a pathology should be visited regularly by an endocrinologist. Health should be monitored, therefore, you should not ignore a visit to a doctor.
Diagnosis and therapy
Sternum goiter is more difficult to cure than the one located above. Indeed, for a long time, its development can proceed unnoticed, a person may not even be aware of this problem, and only certain symptoms of thyroid disorders can push the patient to visit a medical institution in order to receive qualified help.
When the doctor suspects the existence of a sternal goiter, he recommends a CT scan, MRI, and thyroid scintigraphy. A full examination will help determine the origin of the changes, the level of oppression of neighboring organs, establish the existence and nature of the nodes. To clarify the functional capabilities of the body, an isotopic study with radioactive iodine is required. In addition, the patient will need to be tested for hormones.
Almost always, experts recommend surgical intervention, as a result of which the thyroid gland is completely removed. But this is fraught with the appearance of side effects, not to mention the various risks. After an operation on the sternal goiter of the thyroid gland, a person will need to use hormone replacement therapy all his life. Therefore, it is better to try to cure this ailment with the help of traditional medicine.
The human body contains hidden reserves in order to independently establish its functioning and cope with any disease. It is only necessary to help him a little, using various methods of alternative treatment. You can learn more about the treatment of symptoms of retrosternal goiter of the thyroid gland with non-traditional methods.
Celandine tincture
It will be especially useful for large nodes or for toxic goiter. It is necessary to cut the grass of the celandine (fresh or dry), place it in a jar, fill it with vodka, close and let it brew for about 14 days. Later, you need to strain the infusion.
Start treatment, starting with small doses (4 drops daily), because celandine is poisonous, so the body will gradually need to get used to it. After you need to increase the dosage to 14 drops several times a day. After a certain time, the goiter will become much smaller.
Wood Lice Tea
Woodlice is a simple weed that can be found anywhere. However, not everyone knows that this is a very useful plant for the thyroid gland. You need to cut the leaves of woodlice and dry them in the fresh air. In the morning you need to brew 2 tablespoons of the plant in 250 ml of boiling water. This tea should be consumed several times a day. You need to be treated with this method for about four months, only then will the result be.
Royal jelly
Such a substance is a natural immunostimulant, the results from its use will be in any case, it does not matter if the goiter occurs due to autoimmune thyroiditis or for another reason. Mix milk with natural honey and drink twice a day, you need to drink one teaspoon each. To make the effect more noticeable, you need to simultaneously use the mummy tablets (one per day).
Rye hay
This is the most common, but very effective method of treatment, which will give the result in any case. It will take stalks of fresh "milk" oats. In the morning, a little hay should be boiled for half an hour in a liter of water, drunk at lunch instead of plain water. After a month, you can see the effect of treatment with this method.
Green Walnut Syrup
There is another optimal method for treating sternal goiter - walnut syrup. For its preparation, green fruits must be grated. Place them in an empty jar, alternating a centimeter layer of nuts with a centimeter layer of sugar. Then pour sugar on top, close the jar and place it in a dark place where the light does not get, for 30 days. Then you need to strain the contents, drink the syrup 23 drops twice a day.
Herbal harvest
The treatment of retrosternal goiter of the thyroid gland with the help of various herbs will be effective. Of course, there are many recipes, but you should choose the most optimal one that will give a good result.
There is an excellent prescription for such a disease:
- pine needles;
- meadowsweet flowers;
- thallus kelp;
- smoky grass;
- walnut leaves.
In the morning you need to boil 950 g of water. As soon as it boils, put in a pan one and a half tablespoons of herbs, close the lid on top and hold on the stove for five minutes, then turn off the fire. Such an infusion should be consumed in small portions before lunch. The treatment will last only a few months. After the end of the course, the thyroid gland will greatly decrease in size. For a complete recovery, such a course will need to be repeated after six months.
Gland Exercises
A simple and effective procedure is the slow rotation of the head. To do this exercise you need only a couple of minutes in different directions. Perform rotation only if there is no dizziness or nausea. A special complex will help in the development of neck muscles and will have a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland.
The sports that can help cope with such a disease include aerobics, light running. A couple of times a day you should arrange a cold shower, this will help to activate the functions of the immune system. Before applying traditional medicine methods and exercises, a full examination and consultation with a doctor is necessary.
Complications and statistics
With poor-quality therapy, the following complications may occur:
- Due to the mechanical effect of goiter on blood vessels, circulatory disorders and a noticeable change in the patient's condition for the worse are possible.
- When a sternal goiter is diagnosed in a person, then with his pressure on certain internal organs, malfunctions occur in their work. And because of this, symptoms of other diseases can be observed.
- If the laryngeal nerve is affected during the growth of nodes, a person may be threatened with complete aphonia, which develops as a result of nerve atrophy.
From 42 to 51% of the world's inhabitants are faced with this disease. 36-51% of the elderly are diagnosed with chest goiter.