It is of a small shape and strategically placed at the bottom of the neck. Made of two lobes and an isthmus, that connects the two parts, the thyroid gland is claiming more and more victims each year. Most of us don't even know what it's purpose is and many more do not even know they have problems regarding it. Statistics show that only in some countries alone the people who unknowingly suffer from thyroid problems are more than half. As small as it may be, this gland is of enormous importance.Through the help of the thyroid, we grow and our metabolism develops normally. This happens because the butterfly shaped gland produces hormones, vital in our life.
Young people and older ones may be affected from these thyroid problems. There is not yet a statistic to show us which segment of the population is more affected by the thyroid diseases. So check ups should be done regardless of the age.
Another aspect lots don't know is that almost 40 percent of a country's population suffer from thyroid problems and worse, don't even know that. It is believed that more than 11 percent of the planet's population suffers from thyroid gland problems. Can you fully imagine what that means? So you see, as small as it may be, this gland is at the top of the list where health problems are concerned.
What is even more disturbing is the fact that lots of helath problems found in people today come from this little gland. Diabetes, cardiac problems, arthritis and many many more diseases are a result of bad functioning of the thyroid gland. Doctors have come to the conclusion that if the thyroid problems are detected in time, many of the diseases ca be prevented. The thyroid diseases are as follows: an overactive gland, producing too many hormones, an underactive one, nodules, thyroid cancer and a disease called graves'eye. As a result of these gland disorders, other health problems happen, even ones that can end our lives. If found, thyroid gland diseases can be treated, and the risk removed. The procedures in removing the problems are various and not very complex.
So there is no wonder why the thyroid problems must be detected even from infancy. Consulting a doctor is the best solution. Because these problems of the thyroid can be treated, why not go to a ckeck up, before the problems lead to even grater ones?
Enlargement Of The Thyroid Gland
For example, if the thyroid gland produces a quantity of hormones much greater than necessary, doctors might choose to remove the gland. In contrast, if thethyroid produces less hormones, hormone pills are given to the patient, in order to balance the hormonal production. This pill must be taken once a day.
If lumps or goiters are the thyroid problems one may experience, the treatment is set after a thorough investigation. Thyroid lumps can be malign or benign. Joyfully, most of theselumps are benign. But they also must be treated. It is best to try at first a treatment through hormones. The effect is the shrinkage of the lump and it usually takes three up to six months.There is also the case in which this mass will not shrink, even if treated with these medication. The procedure then is to remove the lump completely.
As i have said before, most of them are benign. But if it were the case that the lump should turn up to be malign, other treatments are necessary. It is first recommended that a fine needle aspiration to be made, to determine the state of the lump. If it turns out to be cancerous, then surgery is absolutely necessary.
Surgery is a must in cases of thyroid cancer, because a part of the thyroid or even the whole gland must be removed. Before undergoing surgery, the doctor will tell you what your options are. Not always surgeonsknow if they are going to remove the whole gland or just parts of it. This fact is usually discussed in the surgery room, while the operating takes place. The doctors, after removing one lobe of the thyroid, do a microscopic reading to determine if the other part of the gland must be removed as well. This test is called a frozen section. This test is taken every time because doctors must be sure what to do next.
After the operation took place, a tube will be inserted into the wound. This drain has the role to prevent fluid to build up in the wound. That tube is removed when chances of the fluid building are minimal. Hospitalization does not take long, patients are known to be released from hospital as soon as three days after the surgery. There are almost zero complications after surgery, but if indeed they exist, they are not of a high importance. Little bleeding, small problems in swallowing, numbness of the neck.
If thyroid surgery is performed to a patient, that person might have to take medication in order to replace the thyroid hormones. Because there is the risk of low calcium in the blood, some might also have to take calcium as well.This fact depends on how much of the thyroid gland is removed.
