Thyroid is an organ that most people are familiar with by name, but may not know how important it is
to our body. When we hear someone say “has thyroid disease,” we often just understand it as a type of illness, but may not realize how serious thyroid enlargement or abnormalities can be. Medically, thyroid disorders are considered dangerous diseases that often end with surgical treatment because if left untreated for a long time, they can develop into thyroid cancer. Therefore, getting to know the thyroid gland and thyroid disorders better is beneficial in helping us protect ourselves and reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
What is the thyroid? Get to know it to take the best care of yourself
Our body contains many important endocrine glands, but if asked which is the largest endocrine gland in the body, the answer is the “thyroid gland”. Naturally, being the largest means it is very important. The main function of the thyroid gland is to produce thyroid hormones that affect the body’s growth. It also helps regulate various metabolic processes, stimulate heartbeats, maintain body temperature, and control sweating. In fact, the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in the functioning of many systems throughout the body. This is why when the thyroid gland malfunctions or enlarges, it can be very dangerous to the body.
How to recognize if the thyroid gland is abnormal
Thyroid abnormalities come in several forms, each with different symptoms. We can observe the symptoms and abnormalities of the thyroid gland as follows:
Hyperthyroidism, or excessive thyroid hormone condition, is an abnormality where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, more than necessary. Patients with this condition may experience a rapid heartbeat, palpitations, insomnia, abnormal weight loss, and mood swings. In severe cases, the eyes may bulge and the neck may enlarge.
Hypothyroidism, or thyroid hormone deficiency, is an abnormality where the thyroid gland produces too little hormone, less than the body’s needs. Patients with this condition may feel cold easily, have a slow pulse, dry skin, fatigue, weight gain, and swelling. In severe cases, it can cause dementia, memory loss, thyroid nodules, or tumors that may become malignant or thyroid cancer. The cause is abnormal hormone secretion leading to tumor formation, which can be cystic or solid nodules. Patients with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer may have difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and a palpable lump in the neck.
Endoscopic thyroid surgery through the oral cavity: curing difficult diseases!!
Surgical treatment is considered the best option for curing thyroid diseases. However, there are various surgical methods, including open surgery in the middle of the neck, endoscopic surgery via the armpit and chest, and surgery behind the ear. Therefore, doctors must carefully diagnose before choosing the appropriate surgical method, which depends on the size of the tumor and the severity of the disease. Regardless of whether it is open neck surgery, armpit and chest surgery, or behind-the-ear surgery, these procedures often cause significant concern for patients. This is why “endoscopic thyroid surgery through the oral cavity” is a better new option. It uses minimally invasive techniques and is performed closest to the thyroid gland, resulting in less risk, less blood loss, and shorter treatment time. This leads to faster recovery, quicker healing, and a faster return to normal life compared to other surgical methods.
Knowing this won’t hurt: take care of your body to stay away from thyroid disease
Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones. Therefore, consuming an appropriate amount of iodine in your diet helps the thyroid gland function normally. Additionally, eating nutritious food made from fresh natural ingredients without additives, along with regular exercise, helps strengthen the body and boost immunity. This reduces the risk of thyroid disorders because more than half of thyroid diseases are caused by immune system abnormalities in the body.
