What is Goiter?
Goiter is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. Some people experience a small amount of swelling while others can have considerable swelling that constricts the trachea and causes breathing problems.
What are the types of Goiter?
There are two main types of goitre:
• Non-toxic goitre can occur for no known reason or when the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormone. It is not associated with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. It can be diffuse or multinodular.
• Toxic nodular goitre: It is associated with hyperthyroidism. It involves an enlarged thyroid gland containing small, rounded growths called nodules.
What are the Risk factors?
Common risk factors for goitres include:
• A lack of dietary iodine.
• Being female.
• Your age. Goiters are more common after age 40.
• Medical history. A personal or family history of the autoimmune disease increases your risk.
• Certain medications. Some medical treatments, including heart drugs and psychiatric drugs, increase your risk.
• Radiation exposure.
What are the Causes of Goiter?
Several factors can cause your thyroid gland to enlarge. The most common are:
• Iodine deficiency. Iodine is necessary for thyroid hormone production.
• Autoimmune disorders: Graves’ disease(hyperthyroidism), Hashimoto’s disease (hypothyroidism)
• Multinodular goiter
• Solitary thyroid nodules
• Thyroid cancer
• Pregnancy. During pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) Hormone may cause your thyroid gland to enlarge.
• Inflammation. Thyroiditis is a condition that can cause pain and swelling in the thyroid.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Goiter?
The following are the most common symptoms:
• Visible swelling in the neck
• Tightness in the throat
• Dysphagia, cough and, hoarseness
• Difficulty breathing in severe cases
Symptoms of the underlying cause may be present.
What are the Investigations for Goiter?
• Thyroid Function Test
• Ultrasonography
• Radioactive Iodine Scan
• MRI
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy
What is the treatment for goitre?
• Medications for the underlying cause.
• Surgery- total or partial thyroidectomy
• Radioactive iodine.
What is the Homeopathic treatment for Goiter?
-Iodium
-Spongia
-Nat Mur
-Fucus Vesiculosus
-Lycopus
-Calcarea Carb
