Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is situated at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple, and goiters are an abnormal enlargement of this gland. Although goiters are typically painless, a large goiter can cause a cough and make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe.
In the United States, where iodized salt is widely used, a goiter is more frequently caused by the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones or by nodules that develop in the gland itself. Globally, a lack of iodine in the diet is the most common cause of goiter.
Small goiters that aren’t noticeable or problematic typically don’t require treatment; however, treatment may be necessary depending on the size of the goiter, your symptoms, and the underlying cause.
Triiodothyronine (T-3) and thyroxine (T-4), the two primary hormones produced by your thyroid gland, are the causes.
Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, a hormone that aids in controlling the level of calcium in your blood. These hormones circulate in your bloodstream and aid in regulating your metabolism. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, aid in controlling your body temperature, affect your heart rate, and aid in regulating the production of proteins.
Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate how quickly these hormones are made and released.
Your pituitary gland, which is also located at the base of your brain, produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is then released into your bloodstream in response to the amount of thyroxine and T-3 in your blood. Your thyroid gland then regulates its production of hormones based on the amount of TSH it receives from your pituitary gland. The process starts when the hypothalamus, an area at the base of your brain that acts as a thermostat for your entire system
Even though your thyroid gland is enlarged, it may still produce normal levels of hormones; however, it may also produce too much or too little thyroxine and T-3. Having a goiter does not necessarily mean that your thyroid gland is not functioning normally.
Your thyroid gland may enlarge for a variety of reasons, with the following being the most prevalent:
Iodine deficiency.Iodine is primarily found in seawater and coastal soil and is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. In the developing world, people who live inland or at high elevations are frequently iodine deficient and can develop goiter when the thyroid enlarges in an effort to obtain more iodine. The initial iodine deficiency may be made even worse by a diet high in hormone-inhibiting foods, such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Though goiter is frequently caused by a lack of dietary iodine in regions where it is frequently added to table salt and other foods, this is not always the case.
Graves’ disease.In Graves’ disease, immune system-produced antibodies mistakenly target your thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroxine, which overstimulates the thyroid and causes it to swell. Hyperthyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, can occasionally result in goiter.
Hashimoto’s disease.Like Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder, but instead of damaging your thyroid so that it produces too little hormone, Hashimoto’s causes your thyroid to produce too little hormone, which can lead to goiter. Hypothyroidism, another condition that can cause goiter, is caused by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Your pituitary gland increases TSH production in response to a low hormone level, stimulating the thyroid and leading to an enlargement of the gland.
Multinodular goiter.The thyroid enlarges overall due to the development of numerous nodules, which are solid or fluid-filled lumps, on both sides of the gland.
Solitary thyroid nodules.In this case, your thyroid gland develops a single nodule in one area. Most nodules are benign (noncancerous) and do not progress to cancer.
Thyroid cancer.Although benign thyroid nodules are much more common, thyroid cancer is much less common and frequently manifests as an enlargement on one side of the thyroid.
Pregnancy.Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced throughout pregnancy, may result in a slight enlargement of your thyroid gland.
Inflammation.An inflammatory condition called thyroiditis can result in the thyroid becoming painful and swollen, as well as producing too much or too little thyroxine.
Symptoms-–Signs and symptoms of goiters are not always present, but when they are, they may include:
- a neck swelling that can be seen that may be more noticeable when you shave or wear makeup.
- You experience throat tightness
- Coughing
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
IODUM 1000The best treatment for goitre is iodum, which is better suited to dark, active patients. There is marked hardness with a feeling of constriction, enlargement of the two lobes, and an increase in the size, especially on the right side, of the tumor.
BROMIUM 1000-The Spongia patient has a fair complexion, scrofula, is buoyant and happy, and can’t lie on their right side due to palpitation, which is a leading symptom of this remedy. This remedy should be tried in high dilutions when Iodum fails.
THYROIDINUM 3XIf Iodum and Bromium don’t work, you could try thyroidinum.
**NATRUM MURIATICUM 1000–**Natrum Muriaticum is another potent treatment for goitre, especially for those who are easily irritated and upset over trivial matters, who cry uncontrollably when left alone, who become even more upset when someone tries to comfort them, who feel overheated and unable to withstand the heat of the sun, who get severe headaches when exposed to it, and who have an odd, excessive craving for salt.
LACHESIS 200Lachesis is very helpful for patients who experience the sensation of the body feeling very hot; such patients cannot wear tight clothes and always keep their collars around their necks and the belt around their waists loose. The mental symptoms that are typically considered are sadness with an aversion to doing any kind of work; the person does not wish to mix up and wants to go somewhere all alone.
SPONGIA TOSTA 30-When the thyroid gland is greatly enlarged, causing suffocating spells at night, Spongia Tosta is advised. It is suitable for painful goitre, asthma with amenorrhea, and pain when swallowing. Spogia is also appropriate for goitre in valley dwellers. It has the appearance and glandular enlargement of Bromium, and the mental agitation and low vitality of Iodum.
Lycopodium Clavatum 200-Lycopodium Clavatum is used to treat swelling of the thyroid gland on the right side, which is characterized by tense, smooth skin, a shining appearance, and a feeling of constriction in the tumor, despite its small size. The patient prefers hot food and beverages and craves sweets.
indigestion, flatulence, and constipation are symptoms of fucus vesiculosis, which can be used to treat obese people with thyroid enlargement.
CALCAREA CARB. 200-Calcarea carbs are recommended for people who are chubby and fat and have unusual egg cravings as well as head and neck sweating.
CALCAREA IODATA 30-When a child reaches puberty, calcea iodate is recommended for enlarged thyroid glands.
LAPIS ALBUS 6X—Lapis albus has goitre-related effects when there is scrofulous gland enlargement and goitre with burning and stinging in the breasts, stomach, and uterus.
LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS 3X-Exopthalmic goiter accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath.
CONIUM MACULATUM 200Conium Maculatum is a helpful homeopathic treatment for menstrual issues experienced by women with Hyperthyroidism, where the menses appear late and that too for a brief period of time.
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