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Goiter

July 26, 2008

The goiter is a large thyroid gland. The goiter can be defined as thyroid gland’s swelling or enlargement, or one or more swellings or lumps develop in part or parts of body. Women are more vulnerable to goiter as compare to men.
There are two different types of goiter.
Diffuse small goiter- This is the place where the entire thyroid gland swells to a larger size. It also feels smooth to touch.
Nodular goiter- This is the place where the certain sections of nodules of thyroid gland swells, it feels lumpy to touch.

Symptoms
In many cases there are no symptoms apart from the appearance of a swelling in neck.
You can get an idea from the size of goiter as it varies from person to person.
Person having goiter feels depressed and emotionally disturbed most of the time.
If the thyroid makes too much or too little thyroxin or T3, there is an indication of having goiter.
Most goiters are painless but an inflamed thyroid can be painful.
Coughing is the main symptom of having goiter.
In severe cases of goiter, patients feel difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
A strong feeling of sore throat occurs with goiter.
The patient felt unable to concentrate.
The person having goiter felt tired and sleep excessively.
Constipation is the main symptom of goiter.
Delayed as well as precocious sexual development with goiter.
Cholesterol level increases if person having goiter.
Girls suffering from goiter may suffer from increased menstrual flow.

Causes
The main cause of goiter is deficiency of iodine. Iodine is a trace element which is found in seawater and in soil, this way it enters the food chain. One can consume iodine by eating fish, seafood, vegetables and from dairy products.

The thyroid gland needs iodine to help manufacture the thyroid hormones. If your body doesn’t need enough amount of iodine the thyroid gland will expand and produce more thyroid hormones.

An over-active thyroid gland can lead to a goiter developing because an excessive amount of thyroid hormones causes the thyroid gland to become over-stimulated, which in turn causes it to swell.

Treatment
The most important dietary concern in preventing goiter and treating iodine deficiency is ensuring adequate intake of iodine. Iodine is found naturally in foods from ocean, such as seafood, fish and sea vegetables. It is also found in the plants and animals products produced in areas where soil and water contain sufficient amount of iodine.


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