When I was a child, I used to see a slightly swollen
throat of someone I knew, and I asked – ‘Why is it so swollen?’ But I saw that
no one in their family paid much attention to it. I also thought – maybe it was
his natural birth shape. But after the age of 40, I heard that he had been
diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Sometimes we see people with beautiful normal health,
just a little swollen throat. Many of us ignore this as a slight swelling. But
this slight swelling can cause major health problems.
Doctors know that although it is seemingly harmless,
if not aware, it can cause one or more major problems.
The doctor said that if there is a hormonal
abnormality, it is treated with medication. If it is not too large and does not
cause pressure on the airway or esophagus, there is no need to remove it. In some
cases, surgery is required in the presence of a wheel or lump or suspicious
cells in the thyroid.
The thyroid is an important gland in the body. The
hormone secreted from it helps in all types of metabolism in the body. This
hormone controls breathing, heart rate, temperature, skin health, nervous
system and brain functions.
Decreased functioning of the thyroid gland is called
hypothyroidism. And excessive hormone secretion is called hyperthyroidism.
Currently, thyroid gland problems are increasing, especially among women.
Regarding the selection of food for thyroid problems,
the doctor said -
Most of the thyroid complications are caused by
autoimmune or immune system defects.
This disease cannot be treated with diet. However,
some foods help protect the functioning of the thyroid gland.
Iodine, vitamin C and zinc are especially useful in
the production of thyroid hormones. Nowadays, iodine is added to salt. Apart
from this, good sources of iodine are sea fish, spirulina, milk, eggs.
To get vitamin C, you can eat amla, lemon, guava,
green chili, orange, etc. And zinc can be found in beef, liver, chicken,
pumpkin seeds, mustard, eggs, etc.
Patients with hypothyroidism should consume vitamin
B1, vitamin B2 or riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, or spirodoxin, and selenium.
Vitamin B1 is found in whole meal bread, red rice,
yeast, oats, peanuts, etc. Riboflavin can be found in milk, yogurt, and dairy
products. Apart from this, you can eat red rice, chicken, wheat, eggs, roasted
peanuts, avocado, dates, figs, and raisins.
Pyridoxine is found in red flour, liver, fish, red
rice, oats, walnuts, ripe bananas, mangoes, sweet potatoes, etc. To get
selenium, you should eat mushrooms, eggs, garlic, onions, fish, chicken,
tomatoes, tuna, broccoli, etc.
Some foods inhibit the production of thyroid hormones.
These include unrefined soybeans. People with hypothyroidism should eat less
cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, and radishes. Drinking water, cigarettes, and
alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
Hypothyroid patients tend to gain weight and blood fat
increases, so it is better not to eat high-calorie foods, fatty and oily foods.
Coffee, tea, alcohol and spicy foods will increase
palpitations, restlessness, hot flashes and sweating in hypothyroid patients.
To keep the thyroid healthy, you should eat a
balanced, moderate and nutritious diet. Although there are no restrictions,
patients should eat a balanced diet to maintain their weight and relieve
fatigue.
Although there is usually no special problem with the
thyroid, it can cause problems from time to time. For example, if you are a
mother with thyroid problems, you need to be careful.
Thyroid hormones not only greatly affect a woman's reproduction,
menstrual cycle, ovulation, conception and delivery, but also control the
physical and mental development of the unborn child. Therefore, any deficiency
or excess of thyroid hormones in the mother can put her and her child at
various risks. Children with thyroid problems can be disabled and stupid.
Again, there is a question about whether to continue
taking medication or stop it during pregnancy, so you should definitely consult
a doctor. However, there is no such thing as not being able to have children if
you have thyroid problems.
Research reports show that one in every eight women
suffers from thyroid problems. A large part of them are women of childbearing
age.
Motherhood is safe, but the rules must be followed
consciously --
The doctor said - Women suffering from hypothyroidism
can take thyroxine regularly to bring the hormone to a safe level and have a
planned child. The safe level during pregnancy is different from any other
time.
It can be said that it is safe to have a child if the
blood TSH is within 2.5 micromoles. If someone wants to have a child, they must
first consult a doctor and decide on the dosage of the medicine.
However, patients with hyperthyroidism, those who take
carbimazole or those who have been given radioiodine therapy, will not be able
to have children during this treatment. After the treatment is over, they will
consult a doctor and have a child.
Follow-up
required --
According to experts - Thyroxine will definitely
continue during pregnancy, but the dose may need to be increased. Blood tests
should be done every four to six weeks to adjust the dose. If the hormone
levels are not maintained throughout the pregnancy, the mother is at risk of
high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, developmental problems in the baby,
miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, etc.
In such a case, a safe delivery should be ensured in a
hospital, where all the facilities are available. Consultation with a
pediatrician will be required after the birth of the child. The baby's thyroid
hormone should be tested at least seven days after birth.
The mother's dose should be adjusted again six weeks
after delivery. Most of the time it needs to be reduced. Many people have their
first thyroid problem after giving birth. Any woman can develop thyroid
inflammation (post-partum thyroiditis) within 6 to 12 months. Even then, it is
necessary to be under the advice and supervision of a specialist doctor.
Postpartum
Thyroid Problems -
Doctor says - After having a baby and giving birth, a
mother's body undergoes a lot of changes. Inflammation of the thyroid gland
after giving birth or postpartum thyroiditis is one such problem. A new mother
can be affected by it even if all the thyroid functions are good before or
during pregnancy.
How
to understand -
The first stage symptoms are palpitations, increased
heart rate, frequent bowel movements, fatigue, hyperexcitability or becoming
overly emotional, mental depression, trembling hands and feet, insomnia,
excessive heat and sweating.
These symptoms usually appear within one to four
months after delivery. After the initial symptoms subside, different symptoms
may appear later. Such as weakness, feeling cold, dry skin, constipation,
weight gain, etc. These symptoms may start within the next 4 to 6 weeks and
last up to 12 months.
Why
does it happen? -
The doctor said - the exact cause is not clear.
However, they have positive antithyroid antibodies in their blood. Type 1
diabetes, history of thyroiditis after previous childbirth, and the presence of
thyroid disease in the family increase the risk.
What
to do?
During the postpartum period, the mother and the
entire family are so busy with the newborn that it is often late to detect
postpartum thyroiditis in the mother. If you notice the symptoms, you may need
a blood test for thyroid hormones, antithyroid antibodies, and sometimes an
ultrasonogram of the thyroid gland. Since the mother is breastfeeding at this
time, a radioiodine uptake test of the thyroid is not done in most cases.
Postpartum thyroiditis is a temporary health problem.
Most patients return to normal within 12 to 18 months without any treatment.
Some treatments are given to reduce symptoms. Such as medicines to reduce
palpitations or restlessness. But some may later develop permanent
hypothyroidism. In that case, they have to take thyroxine hormone for life. For
this, they need to have their thyroid hormone tested repeatedly or every few
months.
Be aware - Be careful, to lead a healthy life,
because thyroid problems can progress to cancer.
Many people do not take into account problems such as
feeling bad, feeling hot, sweating, restlessness or weakness during the
postpartum period. Women who are at risk should seek medical attention if such
symptoms appear. Various hormonal fluctuations occur during the postpartum
period, which are associated with physical and mental well-being.
Exercise
-
There are some exercises that help prevent thyroid
problems from worsening. Breathing exercises, throat + neck movement exercises
and other body movement exercises are quite beneficial.
