Located at the base of the neck, a gland called the thyroid produces hormones that are responsible for regulating the rate of metabolic processes, generating energy for the body and maintaining its normal temperature. Also, such a gland is very important for the proper functioning and absorption of vitamins that enter the human body with food, as well as for the normal heart rate and the growth of connective tissue. The thyroid gland is not a fully understood organ, and this is bad, since it is it that strongly affects the state of human he alth, and any problem that arises in it always provokes the development of dangerous consequences.
Status Description
Despite the fact that pathological processes in the thyroid gland most often occur in women, the reasons for their appearance for both sexes are the same: the production and long-term presence in the body of a large amount of thyroxine and triiodothyronine can worsen the he alth of this organ, or,on the contrary, their disadvantage.
In the initial stages, the first signs of thyroid disease are minimal, which makes it impossible to detect the disease at the earliest stages of its development. It is important to consider the main signs of organ damage. It should be remembered that the symptoms of thyroid disease and signs of the disease appear only after several months or even years.
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is an organ located at the base of the neck. It is a form of a butterfly that actively releases the following hormones into the bloodstream: thyroxine, calcitonin and triiodothyronine. They affect the functioning of all organs and tissues in the human body. An important trace element that promotes the synthesis of thyroid hormones is iodine. It is its sufficient amount in the body that leads to the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.
During the baby's stay in the womb and throughout the first few years of his life, thyroid hormones affect the development of the baby's brain. With their deficiency during intrauterine growth, the child develops permanent mental retardation.
In addition, thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating the growth and puberty of a teenager. Throughout life, they provide normal heat production, affect a person’s mood and brain activity, the functioning of the heart, skeletal muscles, and the organs of the digestive system.
The most common diseases
In menthe following thyroid disorders are common:
- endemic goiter;
- hypothyroidism;
- chronic autoimmune thyroiditis;
- oncological neoplasms in the body: thyroid tumors.
To diagnose and prescribe effective treatment, the patient should go to an appointment with an endocrinologist. The doctor will take into account all the information received from the patient, conduct an external examination, prescribe appropriate studies, which, depending on the specific situation, may consist of examining hormone levels, ultrasound, scintigraphy and general clinical tests.
Endemic goiter in a man
Endemic goiter - active growth, an increase in the size of the thyroid tissue due to a lack of iodine that enters the human body together with food and water.
The main symptom of this disease is an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland (in men it is more than 25 mm). The first signs of thyroid disease in a man:
- feeling unwell;
- severe headache, dizziness;
- heart problems;
- feeling of a strong squeezing of the neck, which only becomes stronger when lying on the back;
- breathing and swallowing problems;
- suffocation attacks (squeezing of the trachea);
- dry cough.
During therapy, the doctor prescribes medications containing iodine, as well as a special dietfood. If the goiter has reached too large a size, then surgery is used.
Foods containing iodine
To prevent this disease, an adult male should regularly consume 100-200 micrograms of iodine. To achieve this amount of daily value, you should eat foods high in micronutrients. For example:
- seafood;
- feijoa;
- iodized s alt;
- walnuts;
- seaweed.
If it is not possible to use such products constantly, then from time to time you can take medicines prescribed by a doctor with iodine in the composition, for example, "Jodomarin".
Development of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a disease that occurs due to a lack of thyroid hormones. This condition can appear when the cells of the gland are damaged by autoimmune inflammation, when the tissues of the gland are destroyed by tuberculosis or syphilis. Also, this condition often appears as a result of a decrease in the sensitivity of cells to thyroid-stimulating hormones, after the surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland due to oncology.
The main signs and symptoms of thyroid disease in men include the following:
- general feeling unwell;
- severe drowsiness;
- fatigue;
- excessive overweight;
- decrease in body temperature, the appearance of chills;
- spread of edema on the face;
- dry skin;
- problems withmemory and brain activity;
- pain in the joints;
- pain in the heart, slow pulse;
- prolonged constipation;
- complete or partial lack of appetite;
- depression, problems with the nervous system.
Also, in addition, men often develop problems with erectile function.
In the treatment of this form of the disease, the doctor prescribes a life-long intake of thyroid hormone substitutes. Doctors do not distinguish special preventive measures in the development of such a disease. To prevent the development of hypothyroid crises, it is important to carry out ongoing treatment, as well as regularly visit an endocrinologist who will monitor the state of thyroid hormones and adjust the dosage of medications.
Development of hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism - excessive production of thyroid hormones in the human body.
The main symptoms of thyroid disease and signs of the disease include the following:
- Quick weight loss for a person.
- Excessive sweating.
- Development of bulging eyes.
- Frequent heartbeat.
- Development of atrial fibrillation.
- Severe excitability, increased talkativeness.
- Severe trembling of limbs.
- Increased appetite.
- Atrophy and severe muscle weakness.
- Disorders of movement coordination.
- External signs of thyroid disease in a man: early hair loss in the head and other areasbody.
- Dry and sick looking hair.
In men, libido and erectile function are greatly reduced, the front part of the lower leg, as well as the back of the foot, is significantly thickened. Together with hyperthyroidism, a man may experience a myocardial infarction, osteoporosis and severe brittle nails.
Thyrotoxicosis in men is much more difficult than in women. But many patients do not go to see a doctor for a long time, because they think that everything will normalize on its own. Therapeutic measures can be carried out with the help of drugs (thyrostatic agents are used to help reduce the activity of the thyroid gland).
Sometimes radioactive iodine is prescribed, which accumulates in large quantities in the gland and provokes the active death of pathogenic microorganisms. In a severe stage of the development of the disease, the doctor prescribes an operative intervention (partial removal of organ tissue).
Treatment with drugs includes regular monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy by an endocrinologist. The most common complication when taking drugs with iodine in the composition or during surgery is the appearance of hypothyroidism, in which it is important to start life-long replacement treatment.
After the end of therapy, it is important to adhere to certain preventive measures. Experts advise:
- avoid physical activity;
- fatigue;
- work at night;
- emotional overwork, prolonged depression.
It is important to maintain a he althy lifestyle, regularly go for preventive examinations to the endocrinologist and completely abandon bad habits.
Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis
Most often this condition has a hereditary form, but it can also develop with serious malfunctions in the immune system. What are the signs of thyroid disease? Most patients show progressive symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Therapeutic measures are aimed at suppressing the autoimmune reaction, eliminating the inflammatory process, restoring hypothyroidism through the appointment of special medicines.
Preventive measures are taken to protect the patient's body from the formation of cysts and nodes in the thyroid gland. To do this, it is important to regularly visit an endocrinologist, monitor the work of the body and the amount of hormones produced, get rid of any signs of autoimmune inflammation.
Tumor formations and organ cancer
In men, cancers at the initial stage of development pass without pronounced symptoms. It is important to go to an appointment with an endocrinologist immediately after the appearance of any asymmetry on the neck (for example, the gland on the right began to stand out more than on the left). The attending specialist at the reception will conduct a detailed examination of the patient, prescribe an ultrasound and other examinations.
In case of tumor formations, it is important to consider the main signs of thyroid disease and treatment. Tumor formations and small cysts are observed by a doctor. Thyroid cancer is treated by an oncologist withsurgery, and radio and chemotherapy.
You can prevent the development of such a dangerous disease as thyroid cancer by normalizing the iodine balance in the body.
Regular visits to the endocrinologist, ultrasound of the nodes and other diagnostic studies will help determine the active development of the tumor and take appropriate measures.
Physical manifestations
Signs of thyroid disease in a man manifest themselves from the physical side. Insufficient amount of iodine in the body provokes severe fragility of hair and nails, partial or complete lack of appetite, weight loss. A photo of signs of thyroid disease in men is presented below.
The body ceases to maintain normal temperature, due to which the person begins to feel cold. The blood circulation in the body does not carry the right amount of nutrients that are so important for maintaining the softness and elasticity of the skin, due to which the skin becomes very dry and loses all elasticity.
Changes in the psyche
Psycho-emotional manifestations in men are very different from the symptoms of the disease in women. A man's mood changes dramatically, memory problems arise, absent-mindedness, depression, anxiety, irritation, and aggressiveness appear. Together with these signs, the quality of life of a man is greatly deteriorating due to confusion in thinking, problems with understanding what is generally happening around. WhenFor signs of thyroid disease, it is important to go to the doctor's office right away.
