Our thyroid produces hormones that play an important role in various systems throughout our body. When our thyroid makes either little or too much of these hormones it is known as “thyroid disease”. Not just that, there are several different kinds of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and thyroiditis.
What is Thyroid?
The thyroid gland is a small organ that is in the front of the neck that surrounds our windpipe (trachea).The shape is like a tiny butterfly which is relatively smaller from the middle with two wide wings that extend around the corner of your throat. The thyroid is a gland and there are glands present throughout your body, where they produce and release substances that help your body perform certain tasks. Thyroid comes up with hormones that may help control many vital functions in a female body.
Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism?
Hypothyroidism an (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amount of crucial hormones. Hypothyroidism may not occur perceptible symptoms in the early stages. However, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems over the course of time, such as joint pain, weight gain, heart diseases and infertility.
Hyperthyroidism an (overactive thyroid) occurs at the time when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Which is why Hyperthyroidism can hasten your body’s metabolism, causing rapid or irregular heartbeat and unintentional weight loss. There are plenty of treatments are available for hyperthyroidism. However, hypothyroidism can turn out to be a dangerous health issue if you ignore it.
How Does Thyroid Work?
Your thyroid has an important job to do inside your body — it releases and controls thyroid hormones that secures and control metabolism. On the other hand, metabolism is a system where the food you eat and is taken down in your body is transformed into energy. This energy is utilized throughout your entire body to save many of your bodily systems working the right way. Metabolism, basically, works as a generator for our body and takes in raw energy to use it and make something bigger than that.
Can Thyroid Disease Happen to Anyone?
Thyroid disease can easily effect anyone. Be it women, men, infants, teenagers, adolescents and the elderly as well. The disease can be occurred at birth (typically hypothyroidism) and it can develop as you age (often after menopause in women).
People may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid disease if they:
- Are older than 60, especially in women.
- Have had treatment for a past thyroid condition or cancer (thyroidectomy or radiation).
- Have a family history of thyroid disease or have it in theit genes.Take certain medication that is high in iodine (amiodarone).
- Have a medical condition (these can include type 1 diabetes, lupus, primary adrenal insufficiency,Sjögren’s syndrome and Turner syndrome, pernicious anemia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes Of Thyroid
Some conditions that can cause Thyroid disease include:
- Postpartum thyroiditis – This condition occurs in 5% to 9% of women after childbirth. It’s usually a temporary condition.
- A non-functioning thyroid gland: Certain times the thyroid gland does not work properly from birth. Therefore this affects about 1 in 4,000 newborns. The child could have both mental issues and physical issues if left untreated in the future. All newborns are given a screening blood test in the hospital to check their thyroid function.
- Iodine deficiency: An iodine deficiency is an issue that affects several million people around the globe. Iodine is used by thyroid to produce hormones.
- Hashimoto’s disease: This is a pain free disease in which there is an autoimmune condition where the body’s cells harm and attack the thyroid. This is mostly a genetically inherited condition.
- Thyroiditis: This is an inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid gland and Thyroiditis can decrease the amount of hormones your thyroid creates.
Prevention from Thyroid
Here are a few ways to prevent Thyroid disease:
- Protect yourself against X-rays.
- Make sure to avoid starvation diets, also be sure to follow a weekly or bi-weekly cheat meal to keep your metabolism strong.
- Detox to protect yourself from thyroid disease.
- Practice high intensity and short circuit training workouts (30-40 minutes), whilst keeping excess cardio to a minimum level.
Was this article helpful? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay tuned for more articles and updates.