Thyroiditis is a disease of the endocrine system. When our main gland (thyroid gland) endocrine secretion produces much lower or higher than normal, the body gets serious problems. Disorders associated with the thyroid gland are displayed primarily on all metabolic processes.
What happens to the thyroid gland with thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is called inflammation of the thyroid gland. With the development of the disease, the cells of this organ gradually cease to fulfill their functions. And the function of the gland is the production of various hormones that regulate all metabolic processes in the body. Accordingly, when the gland is disrupted, weight problems begin.
There are several types of inflammation of this organ:
- Thyroiditis de Curvena.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Riedel's goiter (fibrous form).
- Chronic.
Acute thyroid thyroiditis should be treated immediately and not triggered. But what are its manifestations and how is it dangerous? We will consider these issues.
Symptoms of inflammation
Thyroiditis is characterized by several obvious manifestations. At the beginning of the inflammatory process, gland function is always increased. The main manifestations are pronounced goiter (enlarged gland), hand tremor and aseptic inflammation of thyroid tissue (thyroid tissue). All these manifestations indicate precisely the malfunctions of the hormonal system.
For physiological reasons, such patients sometimes bulge their eyes from their orbits. These people need urgent medical care from an endocrinologist.
Acute and subacute thyroiditis: causes
The subacute form of inflammation, or de Querven’s thyroiditis, is nothing more than inflammation of the gland caused by a viral infection. 3, 4, or 5 weeks after the infection fever subsides, symptoms of thyroid disease begin.
Women suffer from this form of inflammation 8 times more often. The disease lasts about 6 months. What symptoms can be observed with a subacute form?
- Soreness in the thyroid gland. The pain is sometimes given to the ears or temples, worse when turning the head.
- Hypermetabolism (increased metabolism) is observed.
- Perhaps the presence of nodular formations.
- Weakness, headache.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Chills.
- The skin of the neck is hyperemic.
Almost always, the cause of subacute thyroiditis is the spread of other infections in the body to the gland itself.
Thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain signal the thyroid gland to work. The latter produces thyroids - proteins. The pituitary gland is located in the central part of the brain and is responsible for the production of almost all the hormones we need. The amount of thyroid produced by the iron should be equal to the amount of the hormone TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). But when the gland works too actively, a person becomes uncontrollable. From the strongest overexcitation, the whole body can shake. In women, hysteroid manifestations begin, since the hormonal background is disturbed.
A lack of thyroid in the body gives a signal to the pituitary gland that he urgently needs a hormone. And the pituitary gland produces TSH even more. Therefore, people who have revealed thyroid hypofunction, either cut out at all, or are prescribed to take the secretion of the gland in tablets.
Autoimmune thyroiditis
This disease occurs when your own immune cells (antibodies) begin to attack the follicles (cells) of the thyroid. In this case, the gland becomes inflamed, and its cells are destroyed. At the beginning of the “attack” of leukocytes, there are no particular noticeable symptoms. But then, when the thyroid gland gradually collapses and loses its cells, it begins to work too actively. As a result, thyrotoxicosis occurs. After the stage of excessive activation, the stage of inhibition of thyroid function begins. Then the patient becomes lethargic and sleepy. Gains weight and hair falls out more. In many people, body temperature often drops below normal.
The exact causes of the autoimmune process are unknown. Scientists attribute this condition to poor ecology, polluted water, and a genetic predisposition. The stimulating factor of the disease is called the experienced stressful situation. As a result of stress, a malfunction in the immune defense program may occur. Especially the risk increases for allergy sufferers who already have some malfunctions in their defense mechanisms. Acute autoimmune thyroiditis without treatment goes into the chronic stage. And inflammation leads to a significant loss of thyroid cells.
Toxic thyroiditis
Acute thyroid thyroiditis still develops as a result of toxic damage, when some chronic process, sometimes tonsillitis or protracted and severe flu, has affected the thyroid gland. Toxic thyroiditis, or thyrotoxicosis, has the following symptoms:
- trembling of the whole body, especially trembling hands;
- increased sweating;
- irritability;
- blood pressure suddenly rises;
- palpitations
- interruptions in the stable functioning of the heart sometimes occur.
As a result of increased thyroid function, the latter wears out. After hyperthyroidism, the reverse state occurs - hypothyroidism (lack of activity). The patient's temperature drops, and constantly tends to sleep. At this time, medical attention is needed, as the situation will only worsen, and more and more gland cells will die.
Purulent process
Acute purulent thyroiditis develops due to the spread of the inflammatory process to the thyroid gland. And this is not associated with autoimmune processes. The cause of this disease is most often radiation during treatment of cancer or inflammation near the thyroid gland, such as severe tonsillitis or pneumonia. Another reason for the development of an acute process is hemorrhage directly to this area. The thyroid gland in such cases is firm on palpation, but with the growth of purulent masses it becomes softer. Simultaneously with the growth of goiter, the lymph nodes become inflamed, which is natural for any inflammation. If you do not seek medical help in time, the abscess will burst as a result.
Complications of acute purulent thyroiditis can be:
- lung abscess
- sepsis (blood poisoning);
- encephalitis;
- aspiration pneumonia ;
- mediastinitis.
The most dangerous thing is, if it breaks inside, then the infection will penetrate the blood, and that, most likely, will transfer it to the brain. Sometimes the abscess breaks out.
Diagnostics
To diagnose the causes of inflammation and the general condition of the patient, several medical tests are necessary. Without research, the doctor will not be able to prescribe adequate treatment. It is necessary to carry out:
- thyroid scintigraphy;
- analysis of the hormone TSH;
- Ultrasound of the thyroid;
- puncture.
What is scintigraphy? This is a radiological study of the function of glandular tissue. At the ultrasound, the doctor can see an abscess or nodules in the gland, and then carry out treatment based on a clear idea of the patient’s health status. The level of thyroid hormones is not increased if a person has acute thyroiditis, but with a subacute course of the disease, it already increases. Doctors also require an analysis and find out whether the level of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) in the blood is increased. For the diagnosis of the type of inflammation, this is very important. De Querven's thyroiditis is characterized by elevated ESR and leukocytosis. Although these changes in the blood may not be.
Inflammation treatment
As soon as the lymph nodes become slightly inflamed against the background of a painful sensation when swallowing or turning left or right, a person urgently needs to take tests and consult an endocrinologist. But he can say something only after research. Are these symptoms of acute thyroiditis? Treatment will be clearly prescribed by diagnosis.
Therapy is based on the use of certain drugs, such as the thyroxine hormone, which replaces the missing level. Is taking this hormone dangerous? That thyroxine, which is produced by modern pharmacological companies, is fully consistent with the human body and completely does not contain foreign proteins. Therefore, patients take it every morning and in the dose that meets the weight.
What else needs to be done to improve health? First of all, you need to get rid of a stressful situation, otherwise the iron will continue to break down. Prolonged inflammation sometimes leads to the fact that the thyroid gland completely ceases to fulfill its functions. Then doctors recommend an operation to remove the gland. Although in fact, you can simply continue to take hormones without resorting to surgery.
However, if compression of the neck structures begins, which already greatly interferes with swallowing, then an operation is prescribed. Another reason for mandatory surgery is a detected abscess during diagnosis. It must be opened and drained. That is, the fluid in the middle of the abscess should flow out.
Subacute thyroiditis is treated hormone for a year. If purulent thyroiditis is diagnosed, hospitalization is necessary. The patient will have to undergo antibiotic therapy. We need antihistamines and treatment aimed at detoxifying the body if the infection is already spread by blood.
Proper nutrition for thyroiditis
Nutrition for problems with the thyroid gland should be fractional. The interval between meals should be 2 or 3 hours. What should not be eaten, and what should be consumed when iron needs help? The diet is planned in such a way that during each meal there are a lot of vegetables, herbs, root crops. Fruits are needed that replenish the body with micronutrient reserves.
Every day you need to take products containing selenium. It is found in seaweed, tomatoes, champignons, cereals. But most of this component is in Brazil nuts. Seaweed, in addition to selenium, contains another trace element necessary for inflammation of the thyroid gland - iodine. After all, a decrease in organ activity leads to a decrease in iodine absorption.