Thyroiditis - a group of diseases associated with inflammation of the thyroid gland, is observed most often in women. At an early stage, the inflammatory process in the thyroid gland shares is asymptomatic, the active work of the endocrine gland produces a large number of hormones. Hyperthyroidism turns into hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland increases in size.
Consider the causes, symptoms and treatment of this pathology.
CONTENTS
Causes of thyroiditis: why the thyroid gland is inflamed
In modern medicine, the causes of inflammation of the thyroid are not fully understood. Scientists suggest a negative influence of some factors:
- Autoimmune systemic diseases( natural protection does not cope with pathogenic activity).
- Viral and other infectious diseases.
- Disturbance of hormonal balance( iron inadequately responds to a decrease or increase in the level of hormones).
- Deficiency of iodine( hypothyroidism develops).
- Ionizing radiation.
- Disorders of the endocrine system, due to impaired conduction of signals from the medulla oblongata or inadequate command impulses of the central nervous system.
- Hereditary factor( mainly transmitted through the female line).
- Unfavorable ecology.
- Oncological diseases( the immune system becomes vulnerable).
- Damage to the glands of the endocrine system( trauma, surgery).
Regular passage of medical examination, a healthy lifestyle, a visit to an endocrinologist will help diagnose the inflammation of the thyroid in time.
Thyroid gland: symptoms of thyroiditis
Thyroiditis has forms and signs of manifestation on the thyroid:
The acute form of of thyroiditis develops against the background of infectious diseases, the outflow of blood into the gland cavity, the pathogenic effect of ionizing radiation. Characteristic features: the structure of the thyroid gland strongly thickens, increases in size;iron easily palpable;pulling the pain in the area of the temples.
Subacute thyroiditis is a "side effect" that progresses after a previous viral infection. Characteristic signs: pain in the thyroid gland;the organ is in a static position;the manifestation of a response from the endocrine, cardiovascular, urogenital, central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
Chronic thyroiditis is characterized by a rapid increase in the volume of the thyroid gland, exerts pressure on the nearby organs of the neck. Characteristic features: the appearance of a pronounced goiter;problems with breathing and food passage;increasing pressure in the region of the upper ribs.
Autoimmune thyroiditis is a response of the immune system in the form of antibodies to healthy thyroid cells. Often diagnosed in women in the postpartum period.
The course of treatment for thyroiditis is selected depending on the form of the disease and the clinical picture of the symptoms and manifestations.
Distinctive feature of thyroiditis in the early stages of the inflammatory process of the thyroid gland is the absence of symptoms. At the neglected stages, pathology passes from one extreme - hyperthyroidism, in the other - hypothyroidism.
The general group of symptoms inherent in thyroiditis in the early stages:
- Body temperature rises.
- There is weakness, apathy.
- The mucous membrane of the throat can blush, become swollen.
- Hyperemia of the skin in the neck.
- Mood swings, unreasonable aggression, irritability.
- Change in body weight.
- Increased activity of sweat glands.
- Sexual hypoactivity.
- Blood pressure jumps.
- Possible short-term hearing loss, visual impairment.
- Sleep disorders, insomnia.
- Lack of appetite.
- Intolerance to physical activity.
Symptoms in women are still expressed in menstrual irregularities, inability to become pregnant, in abnormalities of the ovaries.
Often, inflammatory conditions resemble tonsillitis, colds.
Symptoms of inflammation of the thyroid gland according to the forms of the disease
Acute form:
- Change in the size( consistency) of the lymph nodes.
- Appearance of pain syndrome in the gland, periodically giving to the region of the occipital bone.
- Appearance of a feeling of unpleasant squeezing of the neck organs at the moment of swallowing food.
- Manifestation of pain syndrome during abrupt head movements.
- Unexplained increase in body temperature( chills).
- Diffusive enlargement of the thyroid gland( rarely local).
Over time, with acute thyroiditis, the pain syndrome builds up, ignoring such a vivid symptomatology threatens with serious complications.
Subacute:
- Appearance of traumatic pain in the thyroid gland( feeling of heaviness in the jaw region).
- Increased pain syndrome at the time of chewing food, swallowing, turning head.
- Increase in the size of the gland.
- Characteristic seal of organ tissues.
- Allergic skin rash in the thyroid gland( local sensation of fever).
- Enlargement of the lymph nodes in the region of the lower jaw.
- Sweating profusely.
- Headaches.
- CNS disorders: aggression, irritability, causeless change of mood.
- Tremor of the extremities.
- Change in body weight.
- Activation of the sebaceous glands( skin is oily and moist).
Special feature of subacute thyroiditis, is the rapid course of the disease.
Chronic:
- The neck organs are under pressure, the patient experiences a feeling of constriction at the time of chewing and swallowing food, breathing.
- Voice throat( the thyroid gland "oppresses" the vocal cords).
- Asymmetric "growth" of the thyroid gland.
- Consolidation of body consistency.
- Regular headaches, the appearance of characteristic tinnitus.
- Temporal deterioration of vision.
- The manifestation of the circulatory system at the anterior wall of the thyroid( pulsation of arteries and vessels).
A characteristic feature of chronic thyroiditis is that the disease manifests itself in later stages. Often, inflammation of the thyroid gland is accompanied by hypothyroidism.
Autoimmune form:
- Diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland.
- Sealing of tissues in the lobes of the organ( the gland remains mobile).
- Problems with swallowing( feeling sdavlennosti).
- Violation of the rhythm of the heartbeat.
- Violation of metabolic processes( appetite remains at the same level).
- Sweating profusely.
- Nervous disorders( depression).
As the disease progresses, Hashimoto's disease progresses to hypothyroidism.
Inflammation of the thyroid gland: treatment of thyroiditis
Treatment of inflammation of the thyroid gland, is based on identifying the cause that led to the development of thyroiditis. If the causative agents of the inflammatory process are pathogenic bacteria, the specialist prescribes antimicrobials.
Antibiotic drugs help to remove inflammation, suppress the focus of the epidemic, preventing the further spread of the inflammatory process.
The course of subacute thyroiditis is quite easy: symptomatology is manifested gradually, pain syndrome is poorly expressed.
At the heart of drug therapy are anti-inflammatory drugs( suppress the focus of infection, relieve pain syndrome).In the case of extremely severe forms of subacute thyroiditis, the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs( cortisone).
Treatment of the thyroid gland in women in a delicate position requires constant monitoring by a gynecologist and an endocrinologist.
The acute form of thyroiditis is characterized by the rapid development of the clinical picture, in the shortest possible time the inflammatory process affects the tissues of the thyroid gland, often leads to organ dysfunction. In the case of an abscess of the thyroid gland, an emergency operation is carried out to remove the purulent sac. Against the background of an abscess, autoimmune reactions develop, the immune system begins to destroy the endocrine system. In the post-operation period, anti-inflammatory antibiotics are prescribed, hormone replacement therapy is performed. Additionally, a course of multivitamins is prescribed in order to strengthen the immune system. Inflammation of the thyroid gland treatment involves an integrated approach.
Autoimmune thyroiditis leads to partial destruction of thyroid tissue, as a result of hypothyroidism in the patient. Treatment consists in a lifelong admission of hormonal drugs, in order to restore the concentration of hormones in the blood. The patient is obliged to take a blood test, focusing on the current level of hormones, the endocrinologist is making corrections to the dosage of the drug. During periods of exacerbation, the thyroid gland can become inflamed.
Unfortunately, chronic inflammation of the of the thyroid gland does not lend itself to medical treatment. The affected area of the thyroid gland is excised surgically. In the case of diagnosing hypothyroidism, which has developed against the background of removal of the gland, a course of hormonal drugs is prescribed.
Detection of the disease in the early stages avoids the harmful effects on the body. Categorically, is not allowed to treat thyroiditis at home .The annual passage of a comprehensive examination, a visit to an endocrinologist, balanced nutrition is the guarantee of thyroid health.
Folk remedies, prescriptions for treatment at home
Here I refer for background information information on the treatment of the thyroid gland at home using traditional medicine. Please do not take this information as the basis of treatment. To treat thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid gland is possible only under the supervision of an endocrinologist!
The pathological enlargement of the thyroid gland in the people called "goiter".It can have different sizes, consistency( smooth or knotty), symmetrical or one-sided arrangement.
What can be done to restore health:
- Drink potato juice for 0,5 glasses 2-3 times a day for 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
- Daily take 0.5 liters of a mixture of juices: potato, carrot and celery or potato, beet and cucumber. Such sokoterapiya often gives a positive result for a surprisingly short period of time, provided that the diet of the patient completely eliminated all meat and fish products.
- There are sea cabbage( laminaria is sugary), it is used in folk medicine for the treatment of mild forms of Graves' disease. You can take it in powder for 0.5-1 teaspoon, with water, 2-3 times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 30 days.
- Black-ash rowan berries have a therapeutic effect in hyperthyroidism, relieve headaches.
- Pour 1 tablespoon dried hawthorn flowers 1 cup boiling water, let it brew and strain. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
- Pour 1 teaspoon of inner walnut partitions with 1 glass of boiling water, insist until cooled. Take 0.5 cup 2 times a day for 30 minutes before meals. Walnut kernels are recommended for taking as a general restorative, as well as for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
- Feijoa fruits should be passed through a meat grinder and covered with sugar in a ratio of 1: 1.Keep refrigerated. Take 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day for 30 minutes before eating.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of fresh crushed leaves of feijoa 1 cup of boiling water, insist 30 minutes. Drink 1 glass 2 times a day, adding honey to taste.
Symptoms and forms of thyroid inflammation in men
Symptoms in men are much less common than in women, but the disease has a more rapid course and leads to the development of hypothyroidism. Pathology affects men aged 30-50 years, most often in the autumn-summer period.
Symptoms of subacute thyroiditis appear suddenly and rapidly progress. Against the background of hormonal imbalance, a person becomes emotionally unstable, irritable. There is increased sweating, a feeling of heat. Skin covers in the larynx are hyperemic, hot to the touch.
The growth of the thyroid gland tissues is accompanied by a pain syndrome, uncomfortable sensations are localized in the anterior part of the neck and intensified during meals, with head movements, conversation, physical exertion. Pain can give to the back of the neck, ears, the area of the lower jaw, chest. The gland is enlarged, of a dense consistency, mobile at palpation.
The patients have worse appetite, they are rapidly losing weight. The characteristic external symptoms of inflammation are tremor of hands and shine of eyes. Transition of the disease into a chronic form leads to the development of hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, which cause disruption of the digestive, reproductive, nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular system.
Subacute form of thyroiditis in men is often accompanied by damage to the greater part of the thyroid gland, which causes irreversible processes leading to deficiency of organ functions. With timely treatment, the inflammation is cured completely.
The fibroid form of of thyroiditis is manifested by an increase in the size of the thyroid gland. This growth causes squeezing of the larynx. The patient is difficult to eat, there are difficulties during breathing, swallowing and talking, the voice becomes husky, a dry cough worries. In some cases, the voice may completely disappear. Patients complain of a feeling that there is a foreign object in their throat.
Fibrous lesion of the thyroid does not cause pain, the organ is enlarged to the touch, in addition, it is dense and sedentary.
Sometimes there are additional symptoms in the form of vision impairment, migraine, the appearance of noise in the ears, the pulsation of vessels on the neck. Fibrous process can spread to the parathyroid glands, which leads to involuntary convulsions, hypoparathyrosis.
Symptoms of fibrotic thyroiditis develop slowly, the patients turn to the doctor already at the advanced stages, since the initial stage does not cause deterioration in overall well-being. An untimely visit to the doctor can lead to the formation of a purulent process, the perforation of the abscess and the flow of necrotic masses into the surrounding tissues.
Symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis .This form of the disease develops with an autoimmune reaction of the body to its own thyroid cells. Antibodies that begin to destroy healthy organ tissues are produced, and this leads to the development of an inflammatory process.
The reasons for this type of pathology are not fully understood, there is a genetic predisposition to autoimmune thyroiditis in men whose close relatives suffered from such a disease.
Main symptoms and manifestations of autoimmune thyroiditis:
- enlargement of the thyroid gland;
- compression of the larynx;
- difficulties during breathing, ingestion of food, talking;
- glossitis;
- gland is dense, mobile;
- worsening attention and memory;
- weakness, malaise;
- weight loss;
- tachycardia;
- severe sweating;
- swelling;
- joint pain;
- increased irritability.
Patients are difficult to talk because of squeezing the larynx. Language increases in size, swells, its surface becomes smooth. On the sides there are traces of teeth. As the disease progresses, signs of hypothyroidism appear: bulging of the eyes, attacks of atrial fibrillation, limb tremor, impaired coordination of movements, early alopecia, upset of the stool.
In men, sexual impotence develops, the front surface of the shins thickens, the sole of the feet thickens. Against a background of thyroiditis, heart attacks may occur, brittle bones( osteoporosis) may increase. Autoimmune inflammation occurs in two forms: atrophic ; hypertrophic .
In the first case, iron does not increase in size, in addition there are symptoms of hypothyroidism. The disease is most often found in elderly men or people who have been exposed to radiation.
Hypertrophic thyroiditis is characterized by an increase in the thyroid gland, there is a nodular form of pathology. In this case during palpation, rounded seals are palpated. The functioning of the organ is not significantly affected.
Symptoms of of acute thyroiditis .Symptoms of an acute form of inflammation of the thyroid gland are diagnosed in infectious, viral diseases( angina, pneumonia, influenza).Pathogenic microorganisms enter the organ by hematogenesis. Characteristic signs of the disease:
- increase in regional lymph nodes;
- neck swelling;
- high body temperature up to 40 degrees;
- malaise;
- aches in muscles and joints;
- enlargement of the gland or one of its lobes;
- acute pain in the neck.
Pain sensations spread to the back of the neck, lower jaw, ears, tongue, greatly amplified during eating, talking and turning the head. If the disease passes into the chronic stage, the purulent process is attached. The gland becomes soft, the skin of the neck turns red, becomes hot. If the pathology appeared after the trauma, hemorrhage, radiation therapy, necrosis does not develop.
Prolonged inflammation can lead to the defeat of a large area of the gland, as a result of irreversible organ failure, in rare cases, hypothyroidism occurs. The abscess can be opened, the pus comes into the systemic blood stream, the mediastinum region, the esophagus, the cerebral membranes. Sepsis can lead to death of the patient, so in such cases, surgical intervention is indicated.
Symptoms of acute inflammation of the thyroid gland in men develop rapidly. The disease often acquires a chronic course, causing severe complications. Timely treatment has a favorable outcome, and the pathology is completely cured, but neglected forms of the disease lead to disruption of many organs and systems.
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