General Health And Well Being
THYROID CLINIC
Small but mighty – this is how to describe the powerful gland that too much or too little of the hormones it secretes will certainly affect the normal function of our body.
The World Health Organization estimates about 750 million people around the world suffer from a thyroid malfunction. Women are up to eight times more likely to experience disorders than men. Around five per cent of the population in the UAE suffer from thyroid disease, statistics from the 10th Annual Middle East Otolaryngology Conference & Exhibition show.
WHAT IS THYROID GLAND?
Thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in front of the neck. The thyroid gland regulates the body's metabolism and has no effect on calcium levels. The thyroid has important roles to regulate numerous metabolic processes throughout the body. Different types of thyroid disorders affect either its structure or function. Since the thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, disorders of these tissues can also affect thyroid function and cause thyroid problems.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THYROID GLAND?
- Production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland is regulated by another hormone that is made by the small gland in the base of the brain, the pituitary gland. These two work together to produce right amount of thyroid hormone for the body.
- The thyroid gland releases hormones that control metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which the body converts what you eat and drink into energy. Thus, thyroid hormones are essential for survival.
- The thyroid hormones regulate vital body functions.
ABOUT THYROID DISORDERS
Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland releases too many or few hormones. This kind of manifestation can create a disturbance in the functions that regulate how the body break downs proteins, fats and carbohydrates as well as in how it uses it for energy, consumes oxygen and produces heat. If too little thyroid hormone is produced, a person has hypothyroidism, if thyroid hormone is produced in excess, a patient is diagnosed to have hyperthyroidism.
CAUSES OF THYROID DISORDERS:
- Iodine Deficiency Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet. Iodine is found in various foods. If you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Thus, iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid or goiter, hypothyroidism and even mental retardation in infants and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy.
- Autoimmune Diseases The most common autoimmune cause of thyroid problems is Hashimoto’s disease. In Hashimoto’s disease, the body attacks the thyroid gland, progressively destroying its capacity to produce thyroid hormone and resulting in hypothyroidism. Another autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland is Graves’ disease is another autoimmune disease. it causes the thyroid to become enlarged and overactive, which results in hyperthyroid symptoms.
SYMPTOMS OF THYROID DISORDER:
Hypothyroidism:
- Lack of Energy
- Constipation
- Weight Gain
- Abnormal Sensitivity to Cold Temperatures
- Muscle Cramps and Stiffness
- Bradycardia or Slowed Heart Rate
- Dry Skin and Hair
- Joint Pain
- Hair Loss
- Depression
- Hoarseness or Husky Voice
- Enlarged Thyroid Glands
- Brittle Fingernails
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles for Women
- Infertility
Hyperthyroidism:
- Nervousness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Dramatic Emotional Swings
- Tremors
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Increase Hunger
- Tachycardia or Increased Heart Rate
- Palpitations
- Hair Loss
- Shortness of Breath
- Protruding Eyes from Graves’ Disease
- Frequent Bowel Movements
- Muscle Weakness
HYPERTENSION THE SILENT KILLER
WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
Each time your heart beats, blood is pumped through your arteries and veins, the blood vessels of your circulatory system. Arterial blood pressure is created by the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls, as they carry blood around your body. Hypertension refers to a persistent elevation of arterial blood pressure. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is when the pressure of the blood being pumped through your arteries is higher than it should be. High blood pressure, or hypertension has been called the "silent killer", because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not even know they have it. Over time, the constant pressure overload causes accumulating damage that eventually becomes more than your circulatory system can handle, often leading to serious health problems.
WHAT IS BARIATRIC SURGERY?
Bariatric or weight loss surgery is a catch-all term that includes any surgical procedure performed on the stomach or intestines with the goal of inducing significant weight loss. It is the only weight loss treatments with a proven track record of success and, for many people, it is the only viable option for achieving durable weight loss.
HOW DOES BARIATRIC SURGERY WORK?
Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, work by changing the anatomy of your gastrointestinal tract (stomach and digestive system) or by causing different physiological changes in your body that change your energy balance and fat metabolism. Regardless of which bariatric surgery procedure you and your surgeon decide is best for you, it is important to remember that bariatric surgery is a “tool.” Weight loss success also depends on many other important factors, such as nutrition, exercise, behavior modification, and more.
By changing your gastrointestinal anatomy, certain bariatric procedures affect the production of intestinal hormones in a way that reduces hunger and appetite and increases feelings of fullness (satiety). The end result is reduction in the desire to eat and in the frequency of eating. Interestingly, these surgically-induced changes in hormones are opposite to those produced by dietary weight loss.