One of the most common forms of thyroid problem is hypothyroidism or an under active thyroid gland. The most prevalent form of hypothyroidism is thyroiditis or Hashimoto's Disease, an auto immune disease affecting the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by a thyroid gland that is inflamed or sluggish. Thyroid problems can be due to iodine deficiency, an after effect of surgery or medication, or dysfunction of the pituitary gland. First, let's look at the symptoms and diagnosis of thyroid problems more closely.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
One of the first signs is usually weight gain, especially if the pounds pile on quickly and are almost impossible to remove. The skin could become dry and rough, the hair dry and coarse, and constant tiredness are also symptoms of this thyroid problem. There could also be memory loss(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Memory-Problem.html), cramps and constipation. All of these symptoms or just a few can be present, which means diagnosis of a thyroid problem by your physician I recommended.
A blood test for levels of thyroid hormones TSH and T4 is the most precise way to diagnose a health problem. Now, most precise does not necessarily mean very precise, and in fact there is no specific level of thyroid hormones that is ?normal? for everyone. Thyroid problems can appear in someone who has the same levels as someone else who seems perfectly fine. The range of thyroid levels considered normal is quite wide. Nevertheless, a blood test remains the best way to diagnose a thyroid health problem, such as hypothyroidism.
Treatment of hypothyroidism
The conventional treatment for thyroid health problems is Levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone. This treatment can be often very hit-and-miss, with constant monitoring needed as to how levothyroxine levels are affecting the condition. An alternate method of treating thyroid health problems is using a natural thyroid hormone, such as an extract from cows. Here however, there is always the fear of virus contamination. In both cases it is hoped that changing the thyroid hormone levels will treat the causes of the thyroid problem, rather than just temporarily relieve the symptoms.
Natural treatment of hypothyroidism
Vitamins and supplements are also vital when treating thyroid health problems, and for general thyroid support. Vitamins A and C help a lot, as does an increased intake of copper. It's best to cut out stimulants like alcohol, tea and coffee, as well as smoking(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Smoking.html). Food with additives and preservatives should be avoided, while fresh vegetables and fruit should be increased to restore balance to your body.
There are also natural remedies being used to treat various thyroid problems. Kelp is said to be very effective and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. However, if you are using it to for thyroid support, you must be sure that the kelp comes from a reputed source as it can be contaminated with effluents if it has been harvested too close to the shore. Go-ji or the lyceum berry is also said to be good for thyroid problems, as is avena sativa, a wild oat plant.
The causes of thyroid problems are numerous, so the best way to maintain thyroid health is by taking a holistic approach to health and nutrition. In addition, various herbs and natural remedies are available that are believed to actively treat the problem. Only Mitamins can create a vitamin supplement that combines the essential vitamins and minerals needed for thyroid health with herbs that are known to help in the treatment of thyroid problems(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Thyroid-Support.html).
Health Problems And Alcohol
Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.
Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.
On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat's stool.
When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat's intestine, creating a blockage.
Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren't treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn't eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 ? 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven't been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well.
When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat's urine starts to smell really strong.
If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease.
To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn't happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don't have a long life span.
If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups.
If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life.
Although some health problems can't be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy ? he will be your companion for years to come.
Both Mitamins Team & Ed Philips are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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