Thyroid goiter - what is it? This is such a pathological enlargement of the thyroid gland due to the proliferation of its tissues. This condition is not considered a separate disease, it refers to the symptoms of various ailments. What unites all these symptoms is that they are associated with the thyroid gland. With further growth, the thyroid gland becomes large, which provokes compression of neighboring organs, as well as tissues. Against the background of this condition, the hormonal function of the thyroid gland is disturbed. In order to prevent such a development of complications, it is necessary to understand in more detail the causes of the appearance of goiter, the methods of its treatment.
Thyroid goiter - what is it?
Diffuse toxic goiter (autoimmune hyperthyroidism) is a disease caused by excessive secretion of the so-called thyroid hormones by an enlarged thyroid gland, causing metabolic disturbances and the development of pathological changes in various organs and systems. Speaking about the fact that this is a goiter of the thyroid gland, it should be noted that this is a frequent condition manifested by thyrotoxicosis syndrome. It accounts for about 80% of all cases.
Thyroid diffuse goiter - what is it?
Toxic diffuse goiter (Graves' disease, Bazedov’s disease, Parry’s disease, diffuse thyrotoxic goiter , Flayani’s disease) is an autoimmune disease, and it is based on a defect of the immune system, due to which cells begin to produce antibodies that can have a stimulating effect on the thyroid gland.
We continue to consider what it is - diffuse goiter of the thyroid gland. It is found everywhere. Often the disease occurs in patients aged 20 to 50 years, while women are sick with them five to ten times more often than the stronger sex.
Causes of the disease
So, you now know that this is the goiter of the thyroid gland. Toxic goiter is an autoimmune disease that develops in patients with a hereditary predisposition.
Diffuse toxic goiter is a genetically determined autoimmune disease that can be triggered by various mental trauma, acute, chronic infections, severe insolation, and the intake of a large dosage of iodine preparations.
Goiter can appear both with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It should be noted that the reasons in these cases will be completely different. Hypothyroidism develops due to weakened hormone production. And the following factors contribute to this:
- Ethical disorders of the processing of hormones by the endocrine gland.
- The use of strumogenic products, such as cassava.
- Taking certain medications.
Hypothyroidism is characterized by hair loss, pale dry skin, weakened appetite, and brittle nails. The opposite disease is hyperthyroidism. In this case, thyroid hormones begin to be produced in too much quantity. Goiter in such situations is caused by the following reasons:
- Oncology of the thyroid gland.
- Thyroiditis (inflammatory lesion of the gland).
- Graves' disease.
The pathogenesis of benign and malignant tumors of the thyroid gland is still not fully understood. In the field of medicine, specialists determine that as a result of exposure to adverse factors, cells of this organ begin to divide uncontrollably. Because of this, their number increases, and a tumor forms. Thyroid stimulating hormone, as well as substances that can lead to gene mutations, take part in this process.
The reasons for the development of goiter should also include:
- Bad ecology.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Chronic diseases
- Deterioration of some internal organs after 50 years of age.
- Pituitary adenoma.
- The puberty of patients.
- Thyroid tuberculosis.
- Hormonal abnormalities during pregnancy and menopause.
- Bad habits.
- Stagnation of blood or lymph.
- Psycho-emotional overload.
Symptoms
And what are the symptoms of thyroid goiter in women and men? The peculiarity of the pathology is that at an early stage of development it proceeds absolutely asymptomatically. But then the front of the neck begins to bulge out, and also swells in the Adam's apple. This is observed when the knot has reached a diameter of 1-2 cm. During palpation of the thyroid gland, areas of compaction are felt on the surface of the neck. Normally, the organ should be elastic and homogeneous. As the tumor progresses, it begins to press on nearby organs. All this you can see in the photo of the thyroid goiter.
Patients with diffuse goiter complain to the doctor of weakness, severe irritability, nervousness, mild irritability, sleep disturbances, less often insomnia, sweating, intolerance to elevated air temperature, palpitations, pain in the heart area stitching or constricting, strong appetite, but despite this , weight loss, diarrhea.
What else can be said about the symptoms of nodular goiter of the thyroid gland? The gland is diffusely enlarged, but the degree of increase often does not correspond to the severity of the disease. As a rule, in the male part of patients with a pronounced clinical type of diffuse toxic toxic goiter, the thyroid gland is slightly increased, it is palpated with difficulty, because the increase occurs due to the lateral lobes of the organ, which are adjacent tightly to the trachea. Often, iron diffusely increases to the II-III degree, it is dense upon palpation, and this can create the impression of nodular goiter, in particular, with an asymmetric increase.
Clinical signs of diffuse toxic goiter are associated with excessive secretion of hormones, as well as their effect on various organs, tissues, in particular, with an increase in heat production, an increase in human oxygen consumption, which is to some extent associated with dissociation of oxidative phosphorylation.
Violations regarding the cardiovascular system manifest themselves in the form of tachycardia, bouts of atrial fibrillation, the formation of its permanent form, with the development of insufficiency.
In older people, thyrotoxicosis is able to manifest itself only by attacks of atrial fibrillation, and this represents a certain problem for the diagnosis of an ailment.
Strong appetite is noted (but in elderly people it can also be reduced), thirst, impaired gastrointestinal tract function, diarrhea, a slight enlargement of the liver, and sometimes slightly pronounced jaundice.
Disorders of the central nervous system function are manifested by severe irritability, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, loss of ability to concentrate, sleep disorders, less often depression, mental reactions. True psychosis is rare.
With diffuse toxic goiter, there are often characteristic external changes in the eyes. The palpebral fissure is widened, which gives the patient the impression of an angry, surprised or scared look. The enlarged palpebral fissures give the impression of exophthalmos. However, it is characteristic of ophthalmopathy, which is often combined with diffuse goiter. Rare blinking and pigmentation of the eyelids are also characteristic, as a rule, with a long and severe course of the disease.
Complaints:
- fast fatiguability;
- irritability, tearfulness, irritability, distraction;
- sleep disturbance;
- sweating, poor heat tolerance;
- trembling fingers;
- muscle weakness;
- low-grade body temperature;
- protrusion of eyeballs (exophthalmos);
- palpitations, less often interruptions in the work of the body;
- dyspeptic symptoms, rapid weight loss, increased appetite;
- an attack of acute pain in the abdomen;
- menstrual irregularities (in women), as well as impotence (in men).
Course of the disease
The following symptoms are characteristic of a mild form of diffuse toxic goiter:
- reduction in body weight of the patient by 10-15% of the original;
- tachycardia 90-100 beats per minute.
With moderate severity of thyrotoxicosis, the following symptoms will be observed:
- body weight is reduced by 20%;
- tachycardia about 120 beats / min.
In severe form of the disease - the following symptoms:
- working capacity is completely lost;
- tachycardia greater than 120 beats / min .;
- the course of the disease is complicated: atrial fibrillation, heart failure, liver damage.
Complications of diffuse toxic goiter
If the treatment of multinodular goiter of the thyroid gland or its other form is not started in time, complications may arise, in particular thyrotoxic crisis. It is characterized by the following symptoms: sharp excitement with delusions and hallucinations, indomitable vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle hypotension, tachycardia up to 150-200 per minute, atrial fibrillation.
An examination of the blood reveals a decrease in the concentration of the following elements: potassium, sodium, and plasma chloride. Metabolic alkalosis appears.
The last degree of crisis is the development of coma, which leads to the death of the patient.
That is why you should not ignore the disease, if you have any suspicions of its development. At the first symptomatology, be sure to consult a doctor who will prescribe an examination and treatment if the diagnosis is confirmed.
Treatment of diffuse toxic goiter
How to treat thyroid goiter? Treatment of diffuse toxic goiter can be prompt and conservative.
Speaking about how to treat thyroid goiter, it should be noted that the therapy is complex. The patient should first of all receive good nutrition, in the diet of which there will be a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals. Normal sleep should be restored, and different sedatives should be used for this purpose.
Thyroid goiter removal is indicated for severe thyrotoxicosis, a large increase in the thyroid gland, in the presence of allergic and other reactions to antithyroid drugs, in the absence of effect after conservative therapy.
Severe forms of diffuse toxic goiter and thyrotoxic crisis are treated in a hospital, where the patient is provided with mental and physical rest. Diet depends on the severity of metabolic disorders, should be high-calorie and easily digestible.
Drug treatment
Depending on the main reason, as well as the nature of the pathology, drugs from various groups are prescribed. During their administration, the thyroid gland should constantly be observed in dynamics. With hypofunction, means are used to increase the hormones produced. These include “Tireotom”, “Levothyroxine”. In the case of hyperthyroidism, on the contrary, drugs are used that block the excessive secretion of the hormone. These include Merkazolil, Propylthiouracil.
As a supplement, funds are prescribed that contain iodine in their composition. Before using certain medications, it is mandatory to familiarize yourself with the instructions for use. Remember that in no case should you take medications without a doctor’s prescription.
If therapy is ineffective, surgery is prescribed. Thyroid goiter in this case is removed surgically.
Power Features
A prerequisite of therapy will be to follow a special diet. In the case of thyrotoxicosis, the diet is aimed at restoring impaired metabolism and covering energy costs. If a person has diffuse goiter, then he needs increased calorie content due to an increase in the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Particular attention should be paid to the use of healthy products, as well as the elimination of harmful ones. First of all, spices, salt, alcoholic beverages, simple carbohydrates, including honey, pasta, sweets, preserves, white flour pastries, as well as confectionery should be excluded from your diet. Experts also advise removing animal fats from their menu, for example, semi-finished meat products, dairy products, pastes, sausages. In parallel with this, it will be necessary to refuse coffee.
If thyroid function is reduced, then the diet should consist of fewer fats and calories. This is necessary in order to reduce weight, since in people with hypothyroidism it increases.
As for hyperthyroidism, in this case, patients are prescribed a diet with an increased number of calories, but at lunchtime it is not recommended to eat fatty foods. In general, the diet involves eating more fruits and vegetables, without fail, you should include figs in your diet. It is best to switch to seafood, in the menu include salmon, sea bass, tuna, saury, shrimp and mussels. Mandatory in the diet should be present sea kale, as it is rich in iodine. Often you should eat lean beef and eggs, increase the number of dairy products in your menu. Also pay attention to the fact that experts recommend eating fatty varieties of fish more often.
ethnoscience
When the first symptoms of nodular goiter of the thyroid gland appear, you can also resort to traditional medicine, but only with the permission of a doctor. In addition, such therapy is used in combination with the main one. Treatment with folk remedies for thyroid goiter involves the use of the following means:
- 30 g of dead bees must be crushed into gruel. Pour 500 ml of water, bring to a boil. Stew on low heat for half an hour. Cool, strain and store in the refrigerator. To receive daily take a tablespoon of funds. Take before bedtime. The course of treatment is 21 days.
- 30 g of valerian, 50 g of hawthorn fruit, 20 g of mint, 25 g of motherwort. Grind all plant materials, grind to a homogeneous slurry. Stir, put in a container. Pour 25 g of raw material with boiling water, insist for half an hour, wrap with a towel. Means to strain. Divide the finished infusion into two servings, consume during the day.
- Fill a sterilized liter jar with half-crushed celandine grass. Top up with vodka. Insist for two weeks, periodically shake the container. Take the first day in two drops, diluted in 50 ml of plain water. Then add four drops. Daily increase the amount by two drops until it reaches 16. Take in the final dosage for a month. Then take a 10-day break. Repeat the course of treatment, starting immediately with 16 drops.
Treatment with folk remedies for thyroid goiter must be agreed with a doctor. Otherwise, you can only harm yourself. Reviews about the treatment of nodular goiter of the thyroid gland suggest that therapy should be carried out comprehensively. Then it is more effective.
So, we examined the symptoms and treatment of the internal goiter of the thyroid gland. If you suspect, do not ignore the ailment. Otherwise, complications will arise.