Thyroiditis is a disease of the endocrine system. When our main gland (thyroid gland) produces an endocrine secretion much lower or higher than normal, the body gets serious problems. Thyroid related ailments show up first in all metabolic processes.
What happens to the thyroid gland with thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is called inflammation of the thyroid gland. With the development of the disease, the cells of this organ gradually cease to perform their functions. And the function of the gland is the production of various hormones that regulate the conduct of all metabolic processes in the body. Accordingly, when the work of the gland is disturbed, problems with weight begin.
There are several types of inflammation of this organ:
- De Quervain's thyroiditis.
- Acute thyroiditis.
- Riedel's goiter (fibrous form).
- Chronic.
Acute thyroiditis of the thyroid gland must be treated immediately and not run. But what are its manifestations and why is it dangerous? We will consider these questions.
Inflammatory symptoms
Thyroiditis is characterized by several obvious manifestations. At the beginning of the inflammatory process, the function of the gland is always increased. The main manifestations are pronounced goiter (enlarged gland), hand tremor and aseptic inflammation of the thyroid tissue (thyroid tissue). All these manifestations indicate exactly the failures of the hormonal system.
For physiological reasons, these patients sometimes protrude from their orbits. These people need urgent medical care from an endocrinologist.
Acute and subacute thyroiditis: causes
Subacute form of inflammation, or de Quervain's thyroiditis, is nothing more than inflammation of the gland caused by a viral infection. 3, 4, or 5 weeks after infectious fever subsides, thyroid symptoms begin.
Women suffer from this form of inflammation 8 times more often. The disease lasts about 6 months. What symptoms can be observed in the subacute form?
- Pain in the thyroid gland. Pain sometimes radiates to the ears or temples, aggravated by turning the head.
- There is hypermetabolism (increased metabolism).
- Possible nodules.
- Weakness, headache.
- Increased body temperature.
- Chills.
- The skin of the neck is hyperemic.
Almost always the cause of subacute thyroiditis is the spread of other infections in the body to the gland itself.
Thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones produced bypituitary gland in the brain, signal the thyroid gland to work. The latter produces at the same time thyroids - proteins. The pituitary gland is located in the central part of the brain and is responsible for the production of almost all the hormones we need most. The amount of thyroid produced by the gland should be equal to the amount of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). But when the iron works too actively, a person becomes uncontrollable. From the strongest overexcitation, the whole body can shake. In women, hysteroid manifestations begin, as the hormonal background is disturbed.
The lack of thyroid in the body gives a signal to the pituitary gland that it urgently needs a hormone. And the pituitary gland produces even more TSH. Therefore, people who have a hypofunction of the thyroid have either been cut out altogether, or they are prescribed to take the secret of the gland in pills.
Autoimmune thyroiditis
This disease occurs when your own immune cells (antibodies) begin to attack the follicles (cells) of the thyroid. In this case, the gland becomes inflamed, and its cells are destroyed. At the beginning of the “attack” of leukocytes, there are no special noticeable symptoms. But then, as the thyroid gland gradually breaks down and loses its cells, it begins to overwork. The result is thyrotoxicosis. After the stage of excessive activation, the stage of inhibition of thyroid function begins. Then the patient becomes lethargic and sleepy. Weight is gaining and hair is falling out more. For many people, body temperature often drops below normal.
Exact reasonsautoimmune process is unknown. Scientists associate this condition with poor ecology, polluted water, genetic predisposition. The stimulating factor of the disease is called the experienced stressful situation. As a result of stress, there may be a failure in the immune defense program. Especially the risk increases in allergy sufferers who already have some failures in their defense mechanisms. Acute autoimmune thyroiditis without treatment becomes chronic. And inflammation leads to significant loss of thyroid cells.
Toxic thyroiditis
Acute thyroiditis of the thyroid gland still develops as a result of toxic damage, when some chronic process, sometimes tonsillitis or a protracted and severe flu, also affected the thyroid gland. Toxic thyroiditis, or thyrotoxicosis, has the following symptoms:
- trembling of the whole body, especially hands trembling;
- increased sweating;
- irritability;
- blood pressure suddenly rises;
- strong heartbeat;
- sometimes there are interruptions in the stable work of the heart.
As a result of the increased function of the thyroid gland, the latter wears out. After hyperthyroidism, the reverse state occurs - hypothyroidism (lack of activity). The patient's temperature goes down and he is constantly sleepy. At this time, medical assistance is needed, as the situation will only worsen, and more and more gland cells will die.
Purulent process
Acute purulent thyroiditisdevelops due to the spread of the inflammatory process to the thyroid gland. And it has nothing to do with autoimmunity. The cause of this disease is most often radiation during cancer treatment or inflammation near the thyroid gland, such as severe tonsillitis or pneumonia. Another reason for the development of an acute process is a hemorrhage directly into this area. The thyroid gland in such cases is hard on palpation, but with the growth of purulent masses it becomes softer. Simultaneously with the growth of the goiter, the lymph nodes become inflamed, which is natural with any inflammation. If you do not seek help from doctors in time, the abscess will break through as a result.
Complications of acute purulent thyroiditis can be:
- lung abscess;
- sepsis (blood poisoning);
- encephalitis;
- aspiration pneumonia;
- mediastinitis.
The most dangerous thing is if it breaks through, then the infection will penetrate into the bloodstream, and it will most likely transfer it to the brain. Sometimes the abscess breaks out.
Diagnosis
Several medical tests are required to diagnose the causes of inflammation and the general condition of the patient. Without research, the doctor will not be able to prescribe adequate treatment. Required:
- thyroid scintigraphy;
- analysis for the hormone TSH;
- Thyroid ultrasound;
- puncture.
What is scintigraphy? This is a radiological study of the function of glandular tissue. On ultrasound, the doctor can see an abscess or nodules ingland, and then carry out treatment already on the basis of a clear idea of the patient's he alth status. The level of thyroid hormones is not elevated if a person has acute thyroiditis, but in the subacute course of the disease, it already increases. Doctors also require an analysis to find out if the level of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) in the blood is elevated. This is very important for diagnosing the type of inflammation. De Quervain's thyroiditis is characterized by elevated ESR and leukocytosis. Although these changes in the blood may not be.
Treatment of inflammation
As soon as the lymph nodes become slightly inflamed against the background of pain when swallowing or turning left or right, a person urgently needs to be tested and come for a consultation with an endocrinologist. But he can say something only after research. Are these really symptoms of acute thyroiditis? Treatment will be prescribed clearly according to the diagnosis.
Therapy is based on taking certain drugs, such as the hormone thyroxine, to replace the missing level. Is taking this hormone dangerous? The thyroxine, which is produced by modern pharmacological companies, is fully consistent with the human body and does not contain foreign proteins at all. Therefore, patients take it every morning and in the dose that corresponds to weight.
What else needs to be done to improve he alth? First of all, you need to get rid of the stressful situation, otherwise the gland will continue to break down. Prolonged inflammation sometimes leads to the fact that the thyroid gland completely stopsperform their functions. Then doctors recommend surgery to remove the gland. Although in fact you can just continue to take hormones without resorting to surgery.
However, if the compression of the neck structures begins, which already greatly interferes with swallowing, then the operation is mandatory. Another reason for mandatory surgical intervention is an abscess detected during diagnosis. It needs to be opened and drained. That is, the fluid in the middle of the abscess should flow out.
Subacute thyroiditis is treated hormonally within a year. If purulent thyroiditis is diagnosed, hospitalization is necessary. The patient will have to undergo a course of antibiotic therapy. Need antihistamines and treatment aimed at detoxifying the body if the infection is already spread by blood.
Proper nutrition for thyroiditis
Nutrition for problems with the thyroid gland should be fractional. The break between meals should be 2 or 3 hours. What can not be eaten, and what should be consumed when iron needs help? The diet is planned in such a way that during each meal there are a lot of vegetables, herbs, root crops. Fruits are needed to replenish the body with micronutrient reserves.
Every day you need to take foods containing selenium. It is found in seaweed, tomatoes, champignons, cereals. But most of all this component is in Brazil nuts. Seaweed, in addition to selenium, contains another trace element necessary for inflammation of the thyroid gland -iodine. After all, a decrease in the activity of the body leads to a decrease in the absorption of iodine.
