Health Care

According to the American Thyroid Association, nodules on thyroid glands are the most common endocrine problem in the United States. Thyroid nodules develop as a result of excessive growth of thyroid cells. They can be large enough to be seen or felt, or so small they're only detected by ultrasound. Nodules in thyroid glands are more common in women than men, and their frequency increases with age. About 70 percent of adults will have at least one nodule on their thyroid by the time they reach 70 years of age. Thyroid nodules generally produce no symptoms. Some patients may report pain in the jaw or ear, a tickle in the throat or shortness of breath, depending on the size and location of the nodule. It's important to see a doctor if you discover a lump in your throat, because of the connection between thyroid cancer and these growths. Though a nodule could signify thyroid cancer or potential thyroid problems, more than 90 percent of thyroid nodules are benign. Nodules i

When thyroid problems occur as a result of an underactive thyroid, they sometimes present as fatigue and weight gain. Conversely, when the body has too much thyroid hormone coursing through its system, anxiety and weight loss can result. These symptoms can often seem negligible, or attributed to anxiety, hypochondria or stress. This is why it's important to consider having your thyroid tested if you experience any combination of the following symptoms: Aches and pains in muscles and joints Allergies Constipation Depression Dizziness Eye problems Hair loss High cholesterol Poor concentration Tiredness/weakness Trouble breathing Swelling. All of these symptoms are associated with hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. However, they can also be symptoms of depression, a lack of exercise and sleep or high stress levels. Just because your symptoms seem vague and hard to quantify doesn't mean that they're not indicative of serious thyroid problems (just

Thyroid cancer is a serious disease, but it's important to remember that not everything that goes wrong with the thyroid is a symptom of cancer. Familiarity with the symptoms of thyroid problems can help you monitor your health more effectively. Through production of thyroid hormones, the thyroid affects almost every function of the body, and the rate at which those processes take place. Not surprisingly, when thyroid problems develop, the body's metabolism will show changes. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is one of the most common thyroid conditions. It occurs when the thyroid doesn't produce sufficient hormones to keep the body functioning at its normal pace, slowing down the body's activities. While there are many causes of hypothyroidism, one of the most common thyroid problems in the United States is "Hashimoto's thyroiditis." Women are seven times more likely than men to have this hereditary condition, which promp

With a 5-year survival rate of almost 97 percent, thyroid cancer is considered one the least deadly forms of cancer, particularly when the most common forms of the disease are caught early. In fact, according to the Light of Life Foundation, the 30-year survival rate for most forms of thyroid cancer is above 90 percent. The problem is that frequently, there aren't any symptoms of cancer when thyroid cancer is in its earliest stages. The most common of the thyroid cancer symptoms is a lump or nodule in the neck, and patients frequently discover these almost by accident, or in the course of a routine check-up. Furthermore, there's only a 1 percent chance that any nodule you might find is cancerous. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't look, or go see your doctor about any lumps you might find. Remember the importance of early detection and treatment. Checking Your Neck for Symptoms of Cancer If you're at high risk for developing thyroid cancer, it's wor

No one wants to hear the words "I've got cancer" coming from a loved one. It's very difficult to think of someone you care about having to face such a difficult and dangerous disease. You may feel helpless and scared and unsure of what to say. You may want to help, but not know how. Rest assured that there's a lot you can do to help when a friend has thyroid cancer. One of the most important things you can do is offer steady, long-term support and encouragement as your friend deals with cancer symptoms and treatment. Get Information about Thyroid Cancer Thyroid cancer often affects young people, and after a diagnosis, the question of how thyroid disease will affect their future looms large. The good news is that thyroid cancer has a very high cure rate, with 97 percent of patients living at least five years after their diagnosis. It is one of the top 15 most common cancers, which will hopefully mean it will be easy for your friend to access treatment and

Do you feel like you're stuck in low gear? Are you having trouble with weight gain? Fatigue? Anxiety? Or are you cold all the time? These symptoms were once called "women's troubles." Although such problems may be more common in women, the label suggests that these symptoms are more psychological than they are physical in nature. However, they may actually be symptoms of thyroid problems. Although clear connections have been established between the thyroid and the mind (such as the difficulty many thyroid problem sufferers have with concentration), problems with the thyroid in women are beginning to get more clinical recognition. Symptoms of Thyroid Problems at Subclinical Levels You're twice as likely to have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) as you are an overactive one (hyperthyroidism), and women have 10 times the risk for hypothyroidism that men do. While fewer than 2 percent of Americans have clinical levels of hypothyroidism, up to 15 mill

Maintaining appropriate levels of iodine for thyroid function is one of the human body's important balancing acts. Your thyroid needs iodine in order to produce thyroid hormones, so problems develop if you don't get enough iodine. When your iodine level is insufficient for proper thyroid functioning, goiters (enlarged thyroid glands) or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can result. Insufficient iodine intake is particularly dangerous for pregnant women because it increases the risk of birth defects. Children with iodine deficiencies may have delayed mental development. However, too much iodine can either block the release of thyroid hormones, or it can result in over-production of thyroid hormones. The latter can occur when an individual switches from low iodine to high iodine intake. The thyroid is the only gland that absorbs iodine, a characteristic that comes into play in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. In patients with an overactive thyroi