The little butterfly-shaped gland is about two inches long and is located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. It has sides, also referred to as lobes. These lobes lie on either side of your windpipe and are connected by a strip of thyroid tissue, also known as the isthmus. The thyroid gland is responsible for a number of functions within your body. The hormones interact with other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone that affect our overall health. It also helps in regulating bodily functions like our breath, heart rate, cholesterol, body temperature, and metabolism, among others.
Very often, when the thyroid gland is malfunctioning, we face a number of physiological symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, brain fog, and a slew of other issues. However, more often than not, we do not realize that these conditions are related to a poorly functioning thyroid. Here are a few symptoms of thyroid disease that you should watch out for:
Both hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) can cause poor mental functioning. While mental fogginess and poor concentration is a result of the latter, mood swings and depression are a result of the former.
An underactive thyroid gland can cause fluid retention, thus leading you to feel bloated. Therefore, if you suffer from constant bloating, this could sure be a symptom of thyroid disease.
An overactive thyroid gland, along with agitation, can also induce feelings of unexplained nervousness and uneasiness.
While we are stressed, our heartbeats tend to increase, as a normal physiological symptom. However, constant palpitations and a racing heart could be a symptom of thyroid disease.
Most people battling with thyroid issues tend to gain quite a bit of weight easily but not lose it easily. So, if you’re battling weight gain issues, getting your thyroid checked would be an ideal step.
Muscle pains are also important symptoms associated with a number of thyroid-related diseases.
A number of people suffering from hypothyroidism experience elevated cholesterol levels.
If you are unable to bear high temperatures, then there could be a chance that you have an overactive thyroid gland.
An underactive thyroid gland, on the other hand, leads to an inability to bear cold temperatures.
Very often, an enlarged neck can be a sure shot symptom of an imbalanced thyroid gland.
Although all these physiological signs may not be hundred percent symptoms of thyroid diseases, it is always best to get your thyroid levels tested in case any of these last for a long period of time. The symptoms of Thyroid may get difficult for you to bear, hence treating the same at the earliest is advisable. When in doubt, it is best to visit a doctor for further clarifications on the effects of thyroid. Consult a doctor and seek the best treatment recommended for you.
Of the many glands that we have in our bodies, the thyroid is one of the most important ones. This gland is a little butterfly-shaped gland that rests at the bottom of our necks, just below the Adam’s apple, at the front of the windpipe.
Maintaining optimal thyroid health is extremely essential because it is the thyroid that is responsible for producing master metabolism hormones and controls almost every function in our bodies, along with influencing almost every single of our cells. In children, this gland is responsible to a great extent to healthy growth and development. So, it is not hard to tell why maintaining good thyroid health is important.
Here’s an overview of the thyroid health-
The thyroid gland produces three main types of hormones-
These hormones produced by your thyroid gland interact with other hormones in your body like cortisol, insulin, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Any flux in your thyroid and the rest of these hormones are directly affected, too. A few commonly known conditions due to an imbalanced thyroid are-
In this condition, the thyroid swells up.
In this condition, the thyroid is inflamed.
In this condition, the thyroid gland is overactive.
In this condition, the thyroid gland is underactive.
This is an autoimmune disease that is caused due to an over-stimulated thyroid. Graves disease can also lead to hyperthyroidism.
This is a condition, where there is an abnormal growth in the thyroid gland.
This is a rare form of hyperthyroidism wherein extremely high levels of thyroid secretion leads to severe illnesses.
Although uncommon, thyroid cancer does exist and is thankfully curable.
Since there are so many chances of things going amiss with our thyroid gland, here are a few things we can do in order to maintain optimal thyroid health-
Iodine rich foods are probably one of the most effective ways of avoiding an imbalanced thyroid. It also acts as an anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and anti-cancer agent. Therefore, stocking up on foods that are rich in iodine is a good way of steering clear from thyroid problems.
Stress is a major trigger of thyroid. Therefore, effectively managing your stress levels can help a great deal when dealing with thyroid issues. Include in your regime yoga, a vacation, painting, counseling, or whatever that works for you.
Air and water contaminants are also a major causal factor of an imbalanced thyroid. Make sure to filter both your air and water in order to avoid any thyroid-related diseases.
We cannot stress how important this is in maintaining optimal thyroid health. A good seven-eight hours of restful sleep goes a long way in ensuring that your thyroid functions at its optimal best.
This could be any form of physical activity like running, brisk walking, swimming or even cycling. Exercise ensures that your thyroid levels are balanced, thus keeping you at bay from any diseases of physiological imbalances.
