Tag: Endocrine Disorders

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Thyroid Disorders

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The thyroid is a small endocrine gland inside the neck, located in front of the breathing airway (trachea) and below the Adam’s apple. It produces two thyroid hormones, tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which circulate in the bloodstream to all tissues of the body.

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Thyroid hormones act to control metabolism (the body’s ability to break down food and store it as energy, and the ability to break down food into waste products with a release of energy in the process).

How well the thyroid works is controlled by another gland called the pituitary. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH circulates via the bloodstream to the thyroid gland where it activates the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormones influence virtually every other organ system in the body. They tell the organs how fast or slow the should work, and tell the body systems when to use energy (e.g., consume oxygen and produce heat).

Endocrinologists (physicians and scientists who study and care for patients with endocrine gland and hormone problems) have defined and studied several major disorders of the thyroid gland.


Hyperthyroidism(symptoms & treatments): An overactive thyroid gland
Too much thyroid hormone speeds up the body’s metabolism. Women get this condition more often than men, and it occurs in about 1% of women. One of the most frequent forms of hyperthyroidism is known as Graves’ disease (named after Dr. Robert Graves). This condition can run in families although the exact nature of the genetic abnormality is unknown.

Because the thyroid is producing too much hormone with this condition, the body develops an increased metabolic state, with the functions of many body systems speeding up and producing too much body heat.

Hypothyroidism(symptoms & treatments): An underactive thyroid gland.

Several causes for this condition exist, most of which affect the thyroid gland directly, impairing its ability to make enough hormone. More rarely, there are conditions in the brain (for example, pituitary tumors) that cause the pituitary gland to fail to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and stimulate the thyroid enough to make hormone.

Whether the problem is with the thyroid gland or the pituitary gland, the result is that the thyroid is not producing enough hormone, and most major body functions, both physical and mental processes, slow down. The body consumes less oxygen and produces less body heat.

Thyroid Nodules(symptoms & treatments): A condition that begins as a small localized swelling or lump in the thyroid gland.
Thyroid nodules may be single or multiple. They represent enlargement of a collection of thyroid cells caused by thyroid cell growth or because of a local fluid collection (“cyst”) in the thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules are quite common. Significant sized nodules, which are greater than a half inch across, occurs in about 5% of people. Almost half of the population will have tiny nodules but many are not aware of them until they become large.

Although most of these nodules are benign, they need medical attention because:

They may be cancer growths
They may produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism)
They may become too large and press on your trachea (airway tube) or swallowing tube (esophagus)

Other thyroid problems include thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can be visible); and thyroid cancer.

Lifestyle and Prevention :

Patient who have been treated for a thyroid conditions should understand:

  • When to take their thyroid hormone medication
  • Signs or symptoms of too much or not enough thyroid hormone
  • When to go to their doctor for blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels, or to check for nodules
  • That other drugs (and even other medical conditions) you are taking could affect your health or interact with your thyroid medication. Ask your doctor about possible interactions, side effects, or warning signs.

In general, there are things you can do to protect your health. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising several times a week, and getting fresh air and relaxation are all activities that will help you feel your best. Healthy living is an important part of recovery from a thyroid condition. These suggestions may also help to prevent future problems.

Click &   Read    :   Take care of your thyroid

Click for useful links

Natural Thyroid Remedies – Herbal Alternative Thyroid Treatment

Symptoms and treatment of Thyroid disease Ayurveda and Yoga

Natural Thyroid Support

Thyroid and coconut diet

Alternative Therapies for Thyroid Disease

Homeopathic Thyroid Treatment & Medication

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Resources:

http://www.hormone.org/public/thyroid/overview.cfm

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Goitre

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A goitre (or goiter) (Latin struma), also called a bronchocele, is a swelling in the neck (just below Adam’s apple or larynx) due to an enlarged thyroid gland.The swelling of the gland in the neck becomes visible and the gland at times becomes exceedingly large, thereby causing difficulty in respiration and swallowing of foods and drinks.

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Classification
They are classified in different ways:

A “diffuse goitre“ is a goitre that has spread through all of the thyroid (and is contrasted with a “simple goitre”, “single thyroid nodule” and “multinodular goitre“).

“Toxic goitre” refers to goitre with hyperthyroidism. These are derived from inflammation, neoplasm, and some kinds of activating autoimmune disease (Grave’s disease).

“Nontoxic goitre” (associated with normal or low thyroid levels) refers to all other types (such as that caused by lithium or certain other autoimmune diseases).

Causes
The most common cause for goitre in the world is iodine deficiency (E01); this condition is commonly called endemic goitre. It is curable by mass food-supplementation with iodine (in the form of iodide or iodate), and today remains a problem only in the least affluent countries which lack economic resources to fortify foods with iodine as part of public health programs.

Other causes are:
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (E06.3)
Graves-Basedow disease (E05.0)
Juvenile goitre due to congenital hypothyroidism (E03.0)
Neoplasm of the thyroid
Thyroiditis (acute, chronic) (E06)
Side-effects of pharmacological therapy (E03.2)

Occurrence
Iodine is necessary for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine (T3 and T4). In conditions producing endemic goitre, when iodine is not available, these hormones cannot be made. In response to low thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroid stimulating hormone acts to increase synthesis of T3 and T4, but in excess it also causes the thyroid gland to grow in size as a type of compensation.

Goitre is more common among women, but this includes the many types of goitre caused by autoimmune problems, and not only those caused by simple lack of iodine.

Treatment
Treatment for goitre may not be necessary if the goitre is not caused by disease and is small. Removal of the goitre may be necessary if it causes difficulty with breathing or swallowing. There is now an alternative to surgery in large goiters. Radioiodine therapy with or without the pre-injection of a synthetic thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH, can relieve obstruction and reduce the size of the goiter by 30-65%. But removal of certain types of diffuse goitre mentioned above will result in removing the entire thyroid as well. The complete removal of the thyroid gland destroys the body’s ability to produce thyroid hormone. In this case, supplements of oral thyroid hormone are necessary to avoid harm from hypothyroidism.

In ayurveda this is called gladanda.According to ayurveda this is caused by the aggravation of Kapha and diminution of pitta.

Kanchanara is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. The bark of this tree is given to the patient in the form or a decoction. It is administered in a dose of 30ml,twice daily on an empty stomach. Kanchanara Guggulu, which contains this drug as an important ingredient, is popularly used for the treatment of this disease. It is given in a dose of four tablets three times a day followed by milk or warm water.

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Healing Options

Ayurvedic Suppliments: 1. Kanchanar Guggulu 2. Arogyavardhini Bati

Diet Old rice, barley, moong dal, patola, drumstick, cucumber, sugarcane, juice, milk and milk products are useful in this conditions. Sour and heavy articles of food are contra-indicted.

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Lifestyle: Exercise of the neck is useful in this condition

History and future
Goitre was previously common in many areas that were deficient in iodine in the soil. For example, in the English Midlands, the condition was known as Derbyshire Neck. In the United States, goiter was found in the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Intermountain regions. The condition now is practically absent in affluent nations, where table salt is supplemented with iodine. However, it is still prevalent in India, Central Asia and Central Africa.

Some health workers fear that a resurgence of goiter might occur because of the trend to use rock salt and/or sea salt, which has not been fortified with iodine.

New research indicates that there may in fact be a tendency to inherit an increased vulnerability to goitre.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Help taken from:/en.wikipedia.org and Allayurveda.com

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A bitter sweet problem

The global incidence of diabetes is increasing. It has already affected 2.8 per cent of the total population and this is expected to increase to 4.8 per cent in 2008. In absolute figures this works out to an increase to 366 million from 171 million. These projected figures are expected to hold good even if the all-pervading epidemic of obesity, inactivity and urbanisation remains static.

Frightening statistics, these. Aware of this, the medical community has put a great deal of time and effort into the elucidation of cause and effect.

What really causes diabetes? No one still has an answer. Everything has been blamed — heredity, genes, the environment, upbringing, breast-feeding, immunisation and immunity. Infection with viruses, especially those of the coxackie group, chemical toxins and even some allergens found in cow’s milk are believed to precipitate the development of antibodies to the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This leads to destruction and an eventual decrease in the total number of cells left to produce insulin.

Whatever the cause, the end result is the same. The blood sugar goes up and produces macro vascular complications in all the organs of the body. This predisposes a person to the development of stroke, heart attacks and even amputation of a limb. At the micro level, it affects the eyes, the kidneys and the nerves.

Before the discovery of insulin, diabetics led a miserable existence, controlled with an almost intolerable rigid regimen of diet and exercise. Many succumbed to infection or developed fatal biochemical abnormalities because of the high, uncontrolled sugar.

The discovery of insulin changed all that. It helped diabetics achieve control and this in turn has reduced the risk of eye, kidney, nerve and cardiovascular diseases. Diabetics are beginning to live longer and healthier lives.

Diabetes is now a more accepted as a lifestyle disease. Control with diet and exercise is preferred, and this can now be individualised. Patients can play a greater role in the control and management of the disease.
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The diet is no longer regimentalised as people are now able to modify their eating according to their needs. A 1,500 -2,000 calorie-a-day diet split over six meals probably helps to achieve good control.

There is no need to totally avoid food such as rice, bread, cereal and starchy vegetables. Instead, spread out the total content in six small meals instead of three big ones.

A total of five fruits or vegetables can be eaten daily and an extra piece of fruit when the hunger pangs are unbearable.

There is no real need to feel guilty if you have eaten a sweet. Moderation is the key. Cheating once or twice a week is acceptable. Just remember that sweets push up the sugar rapidly.

Initially, for a (young or old) diabetic with some pancreatic function, a controlled sensible diet and regular exercise may be enough to manage the escalating sugar level.

Later oral medications may have to be added. Here too, patient friendly developments have occurred. Sustained release, long-acting medications or the newer once-a-day medications are now available.

After five-six years on tablets, control often begins to slip. At this point in time, switching to insulin is a realistic, sensible long-term option. The old allergy-causing painful pork and cow insulins have now been replaced with human insulin analogues. They are painless, can be long or short acting, dosages are smaller, and absorption is good. There are no more ugly lumps, bumps or disfiguring atrophic areas betraying the sites of insulin injections.

The old syringes and needles, too, have been replaced with ultra light “pens” (available for between Rs 200-300). The medication comes in a cartridge, very much like pen refill cartridges. If even that is a problem, for a slightly higher price a “use and throw” disposable version is available.

For those with poor coordination and eyesight, the numbers indicating the dosage in the pens are large. It is difficult to withdraw too much or too little as it preset. The pens “lock” and only the required amount of insulin is injected each time.

Visits to the physician or the lab may be difficult and time consuming. That probably means the blood values are probably only done once in every couple of months. This type of control is not satisfactory. At that time a glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value (normal 3.7-5.1) can be checked instead. This reveals control over the past couple of months.

It is better to achieve individualised good day-to-day control with tailored minor adjustments in diet, medication and injections. This is now easily done with home glucometers (Rs 1,500), now available with a three-year guarantee. Sugar levels can be checked once or twice a day so that an erratic indulgent meal or lack of physical activity never pushes the diabetes out of control.

Are you diabetic? You hold your life (with a little help) in the palm of your hand.

By Dr Gita Mathai who is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore,India. Questions on health issues may be emailed to her at yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in

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