Thyroid Problems and Treatment
When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, there may be several reasons why. A diet with poor iodine is one. Or, physical/mental stress, genetic defects, infections, autoimmune diseases or side effects of medications may be the reason as well.
An enlarged thyroid, or goiter, may be an indication of disease. Most of the time, goiters are benign, but people should see their doctor as soon as possible anyway to rule out cancer. Because symptoms develop gradually, some may have this condition for years and not know it. Common thyroid ailments are Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. These autoimmune disorders attack normal body cells, ‘mistaking’ them for foreign tissue.
Both are more common in women than men – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis causing hypothyroidism (symptoms of hypothyroidism include: physical/mental sluggishness, unexplained weight gain, hair loss, constipation, exaggerated sensitivity to cold, irregular menstrual periods, depression, hoarseness or low voice, memory loss and tiredness) and Graves’ causing hyperthyroidism (racing heartbeat, increased bowel movements, irregular cycles, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, protruding eyeballs, muscular weakness, insomnia and thin brittle hair).
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