Hypothyroidism and Goiter - Hypothyroidism Causes Enlargement of the Thyroid

Hypothyroidism and Goiter - Hypothyroidism Causes Enlargement of the Thyroid

Hypothyroidism, in general, has exactly the opposite effects as those of hyperthyroidism, although it may be caused by autoimmunity as well but a kind of immunity that destroys the gland rather than stimulates it. Most of the patients first have autoimmune thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid glands. This causes deterioration and eventually, fibrosis of the gland or the replacement of thyroid tissue with connective tissue. Fibrotic tissue is incapable of producing thyroid hormone and a deficiency in the hormone occurs. In most cases, an enlagement of the thyroid gland is observed.
Endemic Colloid Goiter
Around 50 milligrams of iodine are required every year for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and for production of sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. In some areas of the world like the Swiss Alps, the Andes, and the Great Lakes regions of the United States of America, there are less than adequate quantities of iodine in the soil for the foodstuffs to contain this yearly requirement. In the days when iodized table salt was not yet available, people from these areas developed extremely large thyroid glands called endemic goiters.
Endemic goiters develop when the lack of iodine prevents the formation of sufficient quantities of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Because of the low concentrations of thyroid hormone, there is nothing that could inhibit the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH by the pituitary gland, which would result in the anterior pituitary gland secreting increased amounts of the hormone targeting the thyroid gland. The increased levels of TSH stimulate the thyroid gland to produce increased amounts of thyroglobulin. However, without iodine to bind to the tyrosine residues in the tyroglobulin molecule, there is still no production of hormones. This causes the thyroid gland to increase in size, sometimes to as large as 10 to 20 times its normal size.
Idiopathic Nontoxic Colloid Goiter
Similarly enlarged thyroid glands filled with colloid may also happen to people who do not have an iodine deficiency, unlike patients with endemic goiter. These people may have normal levels of thyroid hormone secretion but more often than not, the secretion of thyroid hormone is depressed like that of endemic goiter.
The exact cause for the enlargement of the thyroids of patients with iodiopathic nontoxic colloid goiter is not known. However, most of these patients do show signs of mild thyroiditis, which led to the suggestion that thyroiditis might lead to slightly lower concentrations of the hormone, which in turn could cause increase in TSH secretion and progressive growth of unaffected portions of the gland. This could explain why the thyroid glands of these patients are usually nodular, with some areas exhibiting growth while some are being destroyed by thyroiditis.

Bronchiectasis Definition, Symptoms And What Can Be Done

Bronchiectasis Definition, Symptoms And What Can Be Done

Bronchiectasis is a lung condition in which the bronchi (airways leading to the lungs) are chronically dilated (expanded). This condition cannot be reversed but there are treatments aimed at lessening the severity of the symptoms. This article shares more about what bronchiectasis is, how it is caused, and what can be done about the symptoms of this disease.
Bronchiectasis Symptoms And Causes
Symptoms may include a persistent daily cough with a foul smelling sputum, difficulty breathing, fatigue, a general ill-feeling, and frequent lung infections.
Bronchiectasis usually results from damage to the bronchi. This damage destroys the muscles and elastic tissue layers that allow the bronchial tubes to contract normally. Due to the inability to contract, secretions from the lungs are not able to be cleared, this can lead to an increased risk of infection, which leads to more damage and a vicious cycle develops.
Damage may result due to chronic lung infections or bronchitis, trauma caused by an obstruction in the bronchi, tuberculosis, allergies, or cystic fibrosis.
Bronchiectasis Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis begins with the observation of the aforementioned symptoms and an evaluation by a physician. The evaluation may include a physical examination, x-rays or a high resolution CT scan of the chest, culture of the sputum, and possibly a bronchogram (study of the bronchi) or pulmonary function tests.
The goal of treatment is to control secretions and prevent infections. Instructions will be given on positioning to allow drainage (postural drainage), sleeping with the head slightly elevated and chest clapping (percussion or clapping on the back to loosen secretions).
Smoking, air pollutants, heavy exertion, and rapid temperature changes should be avoided. A physician will advise the patient to drink plenty of fluids to make mucous secretions less sticky and may prescribe expectorants to loosen secretions in the lungs or antibiotics to fight frequent lung infections.

Whooping Cough - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Whooping Cough - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial illness that affects the respiratory passages. The disease is most contagious during the cold-like initial phase (catarrhal phase). In its early stages, pertussis is indistinguishable from the many colds common in children. However, after one or two weeks, the illness gets progressively worse. Worldwide there are over 60 million cases of pertussis a year with more than half a million deaths. Whooping cough is still a very serious disease when it occurs in children under the age of one year old. Pertussis can be fatal, but in the United States, widespread vaccination against the infection has made the disease rare. In the more advanced stages, it's marked by the symptom that gives the disease its name: a severe, hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop." It is spread by droplets from the respiratory tract, rarely it may also spread on clothes, toys, etc. You can also become infected through direct contact with discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person.
Whooping cough exists everywhere in the world and can lead to a variety of diseases and complications, including death. Whooping cough in a recognizable form evolves over a period of 2 weeks. Sometimes the patient stops breathing after a severe bout of coughing, long enough to go blue. Occasionally the patient faints as well. It's mainly affected infants who are younger than 6 months old before they are adequately protected by their immunizations, and kids who are 11 to 18 years old whose immunity has faded. With proper care, most teenagers and adults recover from whooping cough without complications. There is a danger that people with less severe, undiagnosed cases may spread the infection to infants who have not yet been immunized. Treatment of whooping cough is supportive, meaning that treatment is directed at the symptoms, e.g., cough; however, young infants often need hospitalization if the coughing becomes severe.
Causes of Whooping cough
The common causes and risk factor's of Whooping cough include the following:
Whooping cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis .
It is spread through children from exposure to infected persons through droplets in the air.
Any one who is not protected (by recent immunisation or by having had the infection before) can get whooping cough, including older children and adults.
Underlying medical conditions are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Whooping Cough.
Symptoms of Whooping cough
Some symptoms related to Whooping cough are as follows:
Runny nose.
Sneezing.
General feeling of being unwell and loss of appetite.
Dry cough.
Characteristic 'whooping' sound on inhalation.
A mild fever.
Vomiting at the end of a bout of coughing.
Watery eyes.
Cough can be started by many factors, including feeding, crying, or playing.
Treatment of Whooping cough
Here is list of the methods for treating Whooping cough:
Whooping cough is generally treated with antibiotics.
Drink plenty of fluids, including water, juices, soups, and fruits to prevent dehydration.
Isolation to prevent contagion.
Young babies with whooping cough are often so ill that they need hospital treatment. Feeding can be a problem because they often vomit after coughing. A baby may need tube feeding.

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs and eventually your breathing. Asthma symptoms include: chest tightening, pain, pressure, wheezing, coughing (especially at night), and breathlessness. Everybody with Asthma doesn't have the same symptoms. Some people experience some of the symptoms but not at one time. Asthma symptoms can also change from one episode to the next.
Asthma attacks occur at different times under different circumstances. Exercise may bring about asthma symptoms and sometimes people only experience an episode that coincides with viral infections such as the common cold. Not all, but some individuals are fortunate enough to go for prolonged periods with no symptoms at all, with only periodic severity called Asthma attacks.
Warning signs of Asthma may come about prior to or at the onset of an attack. In most cases, these symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with your daily life. Paying attention to these signs though, can help keep your condition under control. Early warning signs includes: frequent cough, breathlessness, feeling tired/weak when exercising, wheezing or coughing after exercising, feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy, moody, decrease or change in lung function when measured on a peak flow meter, signs of a cold or allergies, and trouble sleeping.
Asthma symptoms in kids usually occur before age five. Asthma occurs when the bronchial tubes become inflamed due to increased secretions within the tubes. Severe chronic coughing may be the only indication of Asthma in kids. Asthma amongst children is steadily increasing due to unknown reasons.
Asthma attacks are produced when the airways tighten. The lining within the airways swell or become inflamed; the cells within the bronchial tubes produce more and thicker secretions than normal. Other symptoms of an Asthma attack includes: coughing that won't end, rapid breathing, difficulty speaking, chest pain/pressure, and feeling of anxiety. Asthma attacks will worsen with time so seek help immediately! Without immediate medical attention, breathing will become harder, air movement will decrease, and you'll lose the ability to speak, all of which can lead to death.
Some people do not experience common Asthma symptoms. Some individuals have symptoms that most people wouldn't attribute to Asthma but they are. These unusual symptoms include: rapid breathing, sighing, and fatigue, inability to exercise properly, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and chronic cough without wheezing. Asthma symptoms can resemble other condition so it's important to know your body, talk to your doctor and to be educated and aware of both Asthmas common and uncommon symptoms.