Symptoms of goiter, its diagnosis and treatment

Goiter and the reasons for its appearance

The underlying problem that leads to goiter isdeficiency in the body of iodine. This can take place both exogenously and for endogenous reasons. Considering the question in more detail, it is necessary to take into account various factors of influence on it. Sometimes this can be the maintenance of too little iodine in plants grown on a specific soil.

Taking into account the fact that it is with vegetable foodgets into the body of this substance, we can talk about how much the mentioned problem of an unfavorable environment is significant in this case. Secondary iodine deficiency of exogenous nature occurs when the soil contains a normal amount of iodine, but there are conditions that inhibit the process of assimilation of matter by plants. This applies, first of all, to peat soil.

It interferes with the absorption of iodine and the increased content of salts of iron, cobalt, manganese, humic compounds and nitrates in the soil.

As was mentioned above, there are also those reasons thatcreate an obstacle to the absorption of iodine coming from the environment. This, as a rule, is a malfunction of the body itself, namely, a violation of the intestinal absorption function.

Chronic intoxications, having anyorigin, sharply affect the suppression of thyroid function. Among such processes, sinusitis, otitis, chronic tonsillitis, suppuration. In addition, the use of sulfonamide drugs, which lead to disturbances in iodine uptake by its cells, negatively affects thyroid function. Another complicating factor is a dysfunction of the liver. All this eventually leads to the appearance of goiter.

Symptoms of goiter

Speaking of goiter, it is very important to correctly identify its symptoms, including:

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  impossibility to probe the thyroid gland;


• 
  a pronounced goiter that deforms the neck and breaks its configuration.

It is very important to note that with different typesdiseases and symptoms manifest themselves in completely different ways. However, if we are talking about severe forms of goiter, then there are significant problems. This is a feeling of awkwardness when moving, and constant feelings of cold, and slow motion, and excessive fatigue. If the disease is started, it often affects the psychoemotional state of the patient. In this case, it causes tearfulness, bad sleep, irritation, excessive sweating. Reflexes with this symptomatology are hypertrophic, and also the patient's unstable mood and situational tachycardia are noted.

Diagnostics

Speaking about the diagnosis of goiter, we should mention such measures as:

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  laboratory research;


• 
  radioisotope scanning;


• 
  Ultrasonic thyroid;


• 
  CT and MRI shchitovidki.

When an ultrasound scan is performed, important data are entered into its protocol:

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  the size of the thyroid gland (both volumetric and linear);


• 
  focal changes;


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  voluminous formations;


• 
  structure of the gland;


• 
  the size of the lymph nodes.

It should be noted that ultrasound is the mosta common type of diagnosis in this case. It allows you to achieve rapid visualization of the thyroid gland and, accordingly, to become familiar with what problems there are in its functioning.

Therapy

Since several varieties are knownailment, and the clinical picture of each patient is individual, therapy is also appointed taking into account all these aspects. She, as a rule, is selected for every single case of the disease. But, nevertheless, there are general trends. So, with thyroid gland hypofunction, the patient is recommended replacement therapy. As for hyperfunction, then, on the contrary, here the doctor will direct efforts on suppression of its excessive activity. Even at the stage of diagnosis, one patient only has ultrasound, and another needs a full range of laboratory tests.

Having suspicions of goiter, be sure to contact a specialist, since this problem, in addition to cosmetic discomfort, also has negative consequences for the overall health.