Thyroid Disease: Causes & Treatment
Our body has many functions, and although we may not realize it, if there are problems with certain organs and glands this can cause us to have major health issues.
The thyroid is a gland that is located in the throat region and is responsible for producing the thyroid hormone. Thyroid Hormone or TH is responsible for regulating the body's temperature, metabolism and heartbeat.
But what if your body isn't producing enough of this hormone, or not at all? That means that your body is not going to function properly.
Read more to find out what the symptoms, causes and possible treatment options are available for those that are suffering from thyroid disease.
What are the causes of thyroid disease?
There are several possible factors that can be linked to thyroid disease. These factors can include but not limited to:
- Autoimmune attack
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Toxins
Who is at risk of developing thyroid disease?
Women have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease, 10 times as much according to some studies in then in men.
What are the early symptoms of thyroid problems?
There are a few key factors that you can watch out for that may be an early sign that your thyroid is not working properly. The first symptom is exhaustion. This symptom causes the disorder of hypothyroidism and is the result of not enough thyroid hormone being produced. If you notice that although you are getting adequate sleep every day, you still feel tired and weak, this may be an early symptom of thyroid disease.
Depression is the second possible symptom caused by thyroid disease. Another reaction caused by low amounts of thyroid hormone being produced, serotonin in the brain is directly related.
Increased appetite can be the result that your thyroids are producing too much of the thyroid hormone. This condition is called hyperthyroidism and although your appetite is increased, the higher energy that results as well many times will offset the increased food intake.
Treatment options
The type of treatment you will receive will depend on the whether your thyroids are producing too much thyroid hormone or not enough. If you suffer from Hyperthyroidism (abundance of TH) the treatment options include:
- Radioactive iodide treatment
- Anti-thyroid medication
- Surgery
If you suffer from Hypothyroidism (not enough TH) the only treatment option is thyroid replacement. This is normally done by prescribing a synthetic form of thyroid hormone.
Chiropractic Options
Those who suffer from thyroid disease often also suffer from other health ailments such as inflammation, headaches and back pain (caused by obesity that is stemmed from increased appetite). Along with the traditional treatment options, using chiropractic care to help treat the effects of thryoid disease can be a great non invasive method to help better your health.
Be advised that chiropractic treatment is not a cure all for thryoid disease but a form of pain relief that may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the illness, and is best paired with treatment options given by your regular care doctor.
