The thyroid gland is located on the front of the neck.
Its main task is to produce hormones that keep the metabolism in the body under control.
Consider in more detail the symptoms of thyroid inflammation and methods of treating this ailment.
Thyroid Inflammation: Causes
Thyroid inflammation or thyroiditis most often develops for the following reasons:
1. Progressive autoimmune diseases that give impetus to the development of inflammation of the thyroid gland.
2. A person’s genetic predisposition to thyroid disease (if family members suffer from thyroiditis, the risk of its manifestation in close relatives increases by 40%).
3. Various malfunctions and disturbances in the endocrine system. This is usually observed in adolescents, in women during pregnancy and menopause, as well as in older people.
4. Living in a polluted ecological environment and inhaling harmful chemical fumes and dust.
5. Exposure to radiation.
6. Previously severe bacterial or viral infections.
7. Lower immunity.
8. An excess or lack of iodine in the body.
9. Oncological formation in the area of the thyroid gland.
10. Infection in the nasopharynx or progressive diseases of the nose or throat (prolonged tonsillitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.).
11. Measles or mumps, which were not completely cured, and gave complications in the form of inflammation of the thyroid gland.
12. Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2.
13. People over the age of forty are automatically at risk of getting thyroiditis.
14. Frequent stress and severe nervous exhaustion.
15. Various severe allergic reactions.
16. Chronic human fatigue.
17. Lack of sleep.
18. The lack of healthy vitamin.
19. Uncontrolled treatment by certain groups of drugs.
20. Previously undergone thyroid surgery.
21. Treatment with hormonal drugs.
22. Past trauma to the thyroid gland, which led to hemorrhage.
23. Damage to the thyroid gland with staphylococci or Escherichia coli.
Thyroid inflammation: types, symptoms and signs
Depending on the cause and symptoms, these types of thyroiditis are distinguished:
1. Subacute inflammation of the thyroid gland (most often develops after an infection).
2. Fibrous thyroiditis is a chronic form of the disease. It is accompanied by an abundant increase in gland tissue and compression of the neck area.
3. Autoimmune thyroiditis usually develops as a result of the production of antibodies to healthy thyroid cells.
4. An acute form of inflammation of the gland occurs after trauma and chronic infectious diseases.
Thyroid inflammation has the following symptoms:
1. The patient gradually begins to suffer from chills and excessive sweating.
2. When swallowing, there are discomfort in the throat and a feeling of constriction.
3. On palpation, a seal in the neck is noticeable, as well as an increase in lymph nodes.
4. There may be a foreign body sensation in the throat.
5. Drowsiness, apathy, lethargy and headaches appear.
6. There may be various disorders in the central nervous system. Usually trembling hands, anxiety, depression and neurosis.
7. Violation of concentration and memory.
8. Noticeable deterioration in the condition of hair and nails. They become weakened and dull. The same thing happens with the skin - it loses moisture, becomes covered with acne and can peel off.
9. Decrease in working capacity.
10. Lethargy.
11. Shortness of breath, which manifests itself after physical exertion.
12. Increasing cholesterol.
13. Intolerance to the cold.
14. Gradually, pain begins to disturb the neck area of the patient.
15. A person can dramatically lose weight or vice versa, gain weight.
16. Possible malfunctions of the cardiovascular system. Often patients complain of a rapid heartbeat. They have arrhythmia, tachycardia and bradycardia.
17. In women, the menstrual cycle can be severely disturbed. In men, potency and sexual desire decrease.
18. There is hypothyroidism.
19. A patient may suffer from high blood pressure and impaired renal function.
In more severe conditions (if the disease is started), it can manifest itself with the following symptoms:
1. Loss of voice (hoarseness).
2. Shortness of breath due to a strong enlargement of the thyroid gland.
3. The appearance of severe headaches and tinnitus.
4. Sleep disturbance.
5. Strong pulsation of blood vessels.
6. Impaired vision of the patient.
7. An increase in body temperature.
8. Pain on palpation of the gland.
9. Pain with head movements.
Thyroid Inflammation: Diagnosis and Treatment
When the first signs of inflammation of the gland appear, you need to contact an endocrinologist. He will palpate the neck and prescribe the following required studies:
1. A biopsy is puncture.
2. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
3. General clinical blood tests.
4. Determination of antibodies and hormones in the blood.
The treatment of thyroiditis depends on the parameters of the tests, the cause of the pathology and symptoms of the patient. Traditional therapy has such features:
1. If bacteria or viruses became the causative agents of inflammation, then potent antibiotics are prescribed to the patient. The duration of treatment should be 7-10 days.
2. In the subacute form of the disease, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain analgesics are prescribed.
3. If the disease caused a lack of hormones, then the doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs. The commonly used drug is thyroxine.
4. To strengthen the immune system, a diet and vitamin complexes are prescribed.
5. If the inflammation was caused by overwork or stress, then the patient should prescribe sedatives.
6. With a purulent form of inflammation, surgical treatment and an additional course of antibiotics are prescribed.
7. At high temperatures, antipyretic drugs are prescribed.
8. When a node is detected on the thyroid gland, it is observed. If it is compacted, then a puncture of the node is prescribed to prevent oncology.
Thyroid inflammation: treatment, complications, prevention
If you do not start timely treatment for thyroid inflammation, then an abscess may form in its tissues. Over time, pus will begin to accumulate in it and poison the body.
If such pus escapes, then this is not so bad, but if it penetrates inside, it can flow into the pericardial zone, lead to damage to blood vessels and cause a serious infection that will reach the meninges by blood. This condition threatens the development of sepsis, so it is important to diagnose and treat it in time.
To reduce the risk of developing thyroiditis, you should adhere to such recommendations:
1. Timely treat any viral or bacterial diseases that can give complications in the form of inflammation of the thyroid gland.
2. It is important to have a full sleep.
3. Avoid excessive physical exhaustion and stress.
4. Avoid hypothermia.
5. Avoid stress, unrest and prevent the development of depression.
6. Eat well. The diet should include the maximum amount of nutrients and trace elements. It is best if the menu is an experienced gastroenterologist or nutritionist. It is especially useful to eat those foods that are rich in iodine (seaweed).
7. During periods of outbreaks of respiratory illness, it is imperative to gargle to prevent the entry of dangerous bacteria into the area of the thyroid gland.
8. Once a year, it is necessary to carry out a control examination of the thyroid gland as a prophylaxis.
9. Do not take any medication without a doctor’s prescription. This is especially true for the treatment of young children (improperly selected medicine and dosage can not only impair the functioning of the thyroid gland, but also have a negative effect on the functions of the kidneys, liver and other systems).
In the acute form of thyroiditis, the prognosis for most patients is favorable. After undergoing a course of medical therapy (from three to six months), patients are completely cured, and normalize the gland.
In the chronic form of inflammation, patients should be monitored by an endocrinologist all their lives. If you adhere to all medical recommendations that a person will be able to lead an almost normal lifestyle, with only some adjustments.
