Health
Signs you may have a thyroid problem
The thyroid gland plays an essential
role in the human body. According
to the online healthcare
publishing company Medicine.net, the
thyroid is a butterfl y-shaped gland in
the front of the neck that produces the
hormones that regulate metabolism.
When the thyroid gland’s ability to do
its job is compromised, the effects can
be serious and lead to a host of symptoms
that don’t go away.
Are all thyroid conditions the
same?
Thyroid conditions vary, and as a
result, that can produce their own distinct
symptoms. The Harvard Medical
School notes that the thyroid can be
overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive
(hypothyroidism). An overactive
thyroid will produce too much
hormones, while an underactive thyroid
won’t produce enough. Symptoms
of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
can overlap, but each condition
has its own unique symptoms as well.
What are the symptoms of
hyperthyroidism?
Signs of hyperthyroidism include:
• Fatigue
• Fast heartbeat
• Trouble concentrating
COURIER LIFE, D 46 ECEMBER 20-26, 2019
• Increased appetite
• Sweating
• Nervousness, restlessness
• Unintentional weight loss
What are the symptom of
hypothyroidism?
Signs of hypothyroidism include:
• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Muscle weakness
• Brittle nails and hair
• Hoarse voice
• Unintentional weight gain
What can I do to safeguard
myself from thyroid
conditions?
The online medical resource Healthline
notes that most cases of hypothyroidism
and hyperthyroidism cannot be
prevented. For example, hyperthyroidism
is often caused by Graves’ disease,
an immune system disorder that’s most
common among women. Some peoples’
thyroids have become overactive because
they consumed too many foods
that contained iodine, such as table salt,
fi sh and seaweed. However, Healthline
notes that such instances are rare.
While people may not be able to prevent
thyroid conditions from developing,
they can keep a watchful eye out for
any of the aforementioned symptoms
of overactive or underactive thyroids.
Any such symptoms should be reported
to a physician immediately. Medicine.
net notes that, in most cases, thyroid
disorders can be managed with treatment
and are not life-threatening. However,
the outlook for people with thyroid
conditions is always better when symptoms
are reported early. Learn more
about thyroid conditions at www.medicine.
net.
Why annual checkups are important
Nutritious diets and routine exercise
are two hallmarks of a
healthy lifestyle. Combining the
two can lower people’s risk for various
diseases and contribute to a high
quality of life. But food and physical
activity are not the only things people
should do to improve their chances of
living long, healthy lives.
Preventive care is important. One of
the most effective principles of preventive
care is to schedule an annual checkup
with a physician. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention,
routine health exams and tests can fi nd
problems before they start. During annual
check-ups, doctors may notice some
red fl ags, such as high cholesterol, that
men and women won’t detect on their
own. These warning signs could be increasing
people’s risk for disease and/or
discomfort. Many of these red fl ags are
undetectable without proper screenings,
which is why annual checkups are integral
to maintaining one’s health.
Annual checkups also serve as a
great time for adults to be screened for
certain cancers. The American Cancer
Society notes that cancer screenings are
used to fi nd cancer before a person develops
symptoms. That’s a vital benefi t
of annual checkups, as cancers caught
in their early stages are more easily
treated. In addition, catching cancer
before it has metastasized greatly improves
patients’ prognosis.
Another reason to schedule annual
checkups is that they make perfect opportunities
for patients to discuss their
family histories with their physicians.
This is especially important for adults
over 40, as age and family history are
signifi cant risk factors for a host of conditions
and diseases. Men and women
concerned about conditions and diseases
that their family members have
had can discuss those concerns with
their physicians during their annual
checkups.
BESTOFBK.COM
BEST OPHTHALMOLOGIST/
OPTOMETRIST
2020
/www.medi-cine.net
/www.medi-cine.net
/www.medi-cine.net
/Medicine.net
/BESTOFBK.COM