Hashimoto's disease named after the Japanese doctor who first described in 1912 autoimmune thyroiditis - an enlarged thyroid gland. The term “autoimmune” (“auto” - itself, its own) means that the aggression of the immune system, which is normally directed against other people's cells, is directed against their own, that is, in this case the thyroid cells, which begin to be perceived by the body as foreign.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is initially asymptomatic. Occasionally, discomfort and mild pain in the neck can be felt. When palpating, you can identify a solid heterogeneous goiter. There are two types (types) of autoimmune thyroid diseases: one of them is Bazedova disease, when the secretion of hormones in the gland is observed in excess, the other, on the contrary, the synthesis of hormones is reduced (myxedema or Hashimoto's disease).
Hashimoto's disease over time, manifested by lethargy, drowsiness, dry skin and hair, constipation. Body weight begins to increase due to fluid retention. Symptoms may increase over several years. Memory, thinking worsens, shortness of breath, edema appears. Movements become slow, and a person becomes slow. Sexual functions are impaired: in women - the menstrual cycle, infertility, in men - decreased sex drive, impotence. Roughness of facial features, blurred speech, bradycardia (slowing of heart contractions), a change in the tone of voice, and skin color are also noted. Since the thyroid gland continues to increase during the disease, symptoms of neck compression begin to be felt, pain is observed during swallowing, shortness of breath in a lying position.
The disease is more likely to affect women than men (4-7 times). The causes of Hashimoto 's disease are several. It can be a hereditary disease. If close relatives have thyroid pathology and suffer from diabetes, the likelihood of Hashimoto's disease significantly increases. Provoking factors can be viral diseases, acute respiratory infections and even caries.
Hashimoto's disease in an advanced stage is very difficult. Generalized edema leads to shortness of breath, pericarditis (acute inflammation of the pericardial sac), ascites (abdominal dropsy) are noted. Significant deterioration may result in hypothyroid coma. Therefore, with a sharp decrease in pressure, with the appearance of lethargy or loss of consciousness, it is urgent to seek medical help.
The effect of drug treatment is highly dependent on the stage of the disease. Therefore, the sooner treatment is started, the naturally better the results will be. Two treatment methods are used: therapeutic and surgical. Some hormonal drugs have a good therapeutic effect. These include thyroidin, which symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis leads to the reverse development, that is, reduces the thyroid gland to normal sizes.
Hashimoto's disease can last for months and years. Her treatment may also last long. Doses of drugs are prescribed strictly individually. Recently, cortisone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, or prednisone are widely used in the treatment of the disease. Treatment greatly facilitates the general condition of patients, reduces the effects of hypothyroidism. Satisfactory results were also noted with x-ray irradiation of the thyroid gland.
But it is difficult to count on particularly significant success in cases where irreversible changes have already occurred in the gland. In such cases, surgical intervention is indicated - thyroidectomy, which involves the complete removal of the thyroid gland or its fragment. After the operation, replacement therapy is prescribed to protect the patient from hypofunction of the gland, as well as the appearance of a tumor in its remaining part.
It is important that patients undergoing surgery at least 2 times a year be observed by a doctor and strictly adhere to the course of treatment recommended by him.