Nodular goiter is a disease of the thyroid gland, which is characterized by its morphological changes. In this case, the organ increases in size and over time, with progression, is noticeable to the naked eye as the bulging part on the neck in the thyroid gland.
Nodular goiter of the thyroid gland - symptoms
Nodular goiter has a number of specific symptoms that change as the disease progresses and depending on the type of pathology that develops.
Initially, nodular goiter is difficult to diagnose without special apparatus (for example, ultrasound) or laboratory tests (donating blood to thyroid hormones) in the event that nodular goiter is accompanied by hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis. These two concepts are polar diseases, which often cause the patient to consult a doctor at an early stage.
So, thyrotoxicosis is an overabundance of hormones. A person feels emotional instability, a strong heartbeat, which does not decrease with the use of sedatives, as well as hand tremors and constant fatigue. Weight loss is also one of the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, and if it is manifested in adolescents, then in most cases they retain the infantile appearance for many years. This is due to the fact that thyroid hormones are associated with growth hormone and others involved in the formation of a mature organism. These are not all the symptoms that are characteristic of thyrotoxicosis, but are the main ones.
Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormones. People with this disease can easily gain weight, are prone to puffiness, because of which the puffiness of the face is formed. The lack of hormones leads to forgetfulness and constant chilliness. The emotional sphere, as a rule, is stably quiet or depressed.
In the presence of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor, make an ultrasound of the thyroid gland and donate blood to thyroid hormones and antibodies, which will tell you about the presence or absence of a pathological process in the organ.
With the growth of goiter, the following symptoms appear in a person:
- Difficulty of swallowing movement;
- sensation of a coma in the throat;
- hoarseness;
- external manifestation of goiter.
Types of goiter
Before talking about treating goiter, it should be clarified that there are several of its types and types, and it is natural that the treatment varies depending on it.
Morphology:
- Diffuse . This is a non-nutritional type of goiter, in which a uniform increase in tissue occurs.
- Nodal . With this type, nodes (one or more) are formed, and the increase occurs on one side. It can be either benign or malignant, so a detailed examination on several different devices is highly desirable. It should also be noted that non-toxic nodular goiter is given to patients who do not live in an endemic area.
- Cystic . Characterized by a heterogeneous increase in the body and the presence of seals, which contain liquid.
- Mixed . Diffusive nodal toxic goiter is characterized by a general increase in thyroid gland and the presence of nodes.
Classification of sizes:
- Nodular goiter of the 1st degree.
- Nodular goiter of the 2nd degree.
- Nodular goiter of the third degree.
- Nodular goiter of the 4th degree.
- Nodular goiter of the 5th degree.
Nodular goiter - diagnosis
Nodular goiter is diagnosed on the basis of a doctor's examination, laboratory tests of blood tests, as well as ultrasound and, in some cases, electrocardiograms.
How to treat nodular goiter?
Treatment of goiter depends on the form of the disease, and on its stage.
Nodular colloid goiter is called a benign form of nodular goiter, while a common group of such diseases is classified as nodal euthyroid goiter. This is due to the fact that a biopsy is required for clarification, which takes time, and until this point the doctor makes a similar diagnosis. If the thyroid hormones are normal, then only a frequent examination of the blood test and periodically an ultrasound. At a struma of any form frequent US it is undesirable according to opinion of some experts.
Diffuse nodular goiter of the thyroid gland in the presence of hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis and having 1 degree is treated with the help of hormones (in case of hypothyroidism) or their blockers. Each medication is prescribed and selected individually, because they all have a lot of side effects. Duration of treatment is relatively large - from 2 years of daily intake. Dosage is constantly varying depending on the blood test, which at first must be taken relatively often - at least once every 2 weeks. If the medication has helped, then there will be no surgery (with the condition of benign nodes) - the thyroid gland itself will decrease in size.
When medication is very important qualification of the doctor (because the dosage setting and the purpose of the drug itself is very variable), so it is advisable to contact several specialists and analyze their treatment regimens.
Treatment of diffuse-nodal goiter of the 2nd degree depends on many factors, and here in some cases there may be a question about the operation. First of all, it is necessary to determine whether the disease is benign, and if so, the doctor may try to avoid surgical intervention.
Cystic nodular goiter is treated depending on the presence of hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis. In the decision to conduct an operation, the stage, size and nature of the nodes are of great importance.
The folk method of treatment of nodular goiter
It is believed that this folk method helps with any thyroid disease , but it can only be used with the permission of the treating doctor, since the ingredients are immune stimulants and contain iodine, which can lead to deterioration. It is necessary to mix 1 liter of honey with a skin of 5 lemons and 500 g of walnuts. The resulting mass is taken at 1 tbsp. l. daily for a month.