medical problems

Hyperthyroidism

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The term hyperthyroidism refers to any condition in which there is increased thyroid hormone produced in the body means the thyroid gland is overactive. Another term for this problem is thyrotoxicosis, which refers to high thyroid hormone levels in the blood stream, irrespective of their source.
Symptoms

  • Poor concentration
  • Fatigue/tiredness
  • Frequent bowel movements/Diarrhea
  • Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) or thyroid nodules
  • Hair loss
  • Hand tremor
  • Heat intolerance
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased sweating
  • Irregular menstrual periods in women
  • Nervousness
  • Pounding or racing heart beat (palpitations)
  • Restlessness
  • Sleep problems
  • Weight loss despite a good appetite

Hyperthyroidism usually begins slowly but in some young patients these changes can be very abrupt. At first, the symptoms may be mistaken for simple nervousness due to stress.

Causes
The most common cause is overproduction of thyroid hormone by the entire thyroid gland. This condition is also known as Graves’ disease(autoimmune disorder). Graves’ disease is caused by antibodies in the blood that turn on the thyroid and cause it to grow and secrete too much thyroid hormone. This type of hyperthyroidism tends to run in families and it occurs more often in young women.
Other common causes include:

  • Thyroiditis-Inflammation of the thyroid due to viral infections, some medicines, or after pregnancy .
  • Taking too much thyroid hormone can cause thyrotoxicosis.
  • Nodules or lumps in the thyroid that may gradually grow and increase their activity so that the total output of thyroid hormone into the blood is greater than normal. This condition is known as toxic nodular or multinodular goiter.
  • Some tumors of the testes or ovaries (rare)
  • Getting medical imaging tests with contrast dye that has iodine (rare, and only if there is a problem with the thyroid).

Thyroid hormone regulation
The thyroid itself is regulated by another gland located in the brain, called the pituitary. In turn, the pituitary is regulated in part by thyroid hormone that is circulating in the blood (a “feedback” effect of thyroid hormone on the pituitary gland) and in part by another gland called the hypothalamus, also a part of the brain.The hypothalamus releases a hormone called thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), which sends a signal to the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In turn, TSH sends a signal to the thyroid to release thyroid hormones. The rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the pituitary gland. If there is an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone circulating in the body to allow for normal functioning, the release of TSH is increased by the pituitary and TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. In contrast, when there is an excessive amount of circulating thyroid hormone, the release of TSH is reduced as the pituitary attempts to decrease the production of thyroid hormone.

Diagnosis
Physician will ask questions about your symptoms, do a physical exam with reflexes, medical history, family history and order medical tests to diagnose hyperthyroidism.
Blood tests – to measure your thyroid hormones TSH, T3, and T4. A high level of thyroid hormone in the blood plus a low-level of TSH is common with an overactive thyroid gland.
Imaging tests of the thyroid-If blood tests show that your thyroid is overactive, your doctor may ask for
•   Radioactive iodine uptake and scan
•   Thyroid ultrasound

Treatment
No single treatment is best for all patients with hyperthyroidism. The appropriate choice of treatment will be influenced by your age, the type of hyperthyroidism that you have, the severity of your hyperthyroidism, other medical conditions that may be affecting your health and your own preference.

Antithyroid drugs
Methimazole , Propylthiouracil (PTU)
Methimazole is usually preferred one due to less severe side-effects. These drugs work well to control the overactive thyroid, bring quick control of hyperthyroidism and do not cause permanent damage to the thyroid gland.
Side effects – allergic reactions, red skin rashes, hives, fever and joint pain. Rare but serious condition called Agranulocytosis (decrease number of WBCs). If you are taking one of these drugs and get an infection such as a fever or sore throat, you should stop the drug immediately and check for a white blood cell count that day. Even if the drug has lowered your white blood cell count, the count will return to normal if the drug is stopped immediately. Liver damage is another very rare side effect. You should stop either methimazole or PTU and call your doctor if you develop yellow eyes, dark urine, severe fatigue, or abdominal pain.

Radioactive iodine
Another way to treat hyperthyroidism is to damage or destroy the thyroid cells that make thyroid hormone .The radioactive iodine taken just once by mouth in liquid or capsule form. Once swallowed, the radioactive iodine gets into your blood stream and quickly is taken up by the overactive thyroid cells. The response to treatment can take from 6 to 18 weeks, during which time drug treatment may be used to control hyperthyroid symptoms, radioactive iodine destroys the cells that have taken it up. The result is that the thyroid or thyroid nodules shrink in size, and the level of thyroid hormone in the blood returns to normal. Radioactive iodine is often recommended if you have Graves’ disease and are older than 50, or if you have thyroid nodules (toxic multinodular goiter) that are releasing too much thyroid hormone. Radioactive iodine is contraindicated if:
a. You are pregnant or you want to become pregnant within 6 months of treatment.
b. You are breast-feeding.
c. You have thyroiditis or another kind of hyperthyroidism that is often temporary.
Side effects – side effects of radioactive iodine treatment is for short-term, neck tenderness, swelling, nausea , vomiting, swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands, dry mouth, taste changes.

Beta-blockers
Beta-blocker drugs, such as atenolol or propranolol, do not block the production of thyroid hormone. Instead, they use for symptomatic control of hyperthyroidism, especially rapid heart rate, trembling, anxiety, and the high amount of heat the body produces.

Surgery
Removal of the thyroid gland is another permanent solution, but is often the last option. This procedure must be performed by a highly skilled and experienced thyroid surgeon because of complications include the risk of damage to nerves around the larynx (voice box) and to the nearby parathyroid glands, which control calcium metabolism in the body. Surgery is recommended when there is an enlarged thyroid gland that makes breathing difficult or when antithyroid drugs are not working, or when there are reasons not to take radioactive iodine. It may also be used in people who also have thyroid nodules, especially when the nodules may be cancerous.
Another important thing that after surgical removal of thyroid the source of your hyperthyroidism is gone and you will likely become hypothyroid. As with hypothyroidism that develops after radioiodine treatment, your thyroid hormone levels can be restored to normal by treatment once a day with a thyroid hormone supplement. So the patient will need to be monitored regularly for adequate thyroid hormone levels in the blood.

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to other health problems including congestive heart failure, abnormal heartbeat, and loss of bone mineral (osteoporosis).

Food to avoid
To increase the effectiveness of your radioactive iodine therapy, you may be prescribed a low iodine diet. The highest sources (and those to be avoided) are iodized salt, grains and cereals, some breads, fish from the sea, shellfish, beef, poultry, pudding mixes, milk and milk products.
Avoid restaurant foods
Consult your doctor before discontinuing or taking any medication.

Want To Know About Your Thyroid???

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The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. The function of thyroid gland is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted in to the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormone plays a very important role in the body as use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. They help in regulation of growth and metabolism in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop.
The thyroid’s hormones regulate vital body functions, including: Continue reading →

Trying to get pregnant

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The most precious gift to women is that she can get pregnant and she can be a mother .Giving child birth is an amazing feeling of women.

Most of the women do not actually aware of the facts that how to get pregnant. If you are planning to get pregnant and have a baby, just go through these tips and knowledge about your menstrual cycles and ovulation periods.

Pregnancy

1.Menstrual  Cycle– first of all you have to know that your Menstrual cycles are regular or irregular.

On average, a woman’s cycle normally is between 28-32 days, but some women may have much shorter or much longer cycles. Work out the length of your average menstrual cycle.

Let me explain you…if you have 28 days cycle, it is easy to calculate ovulation periods. And if you know well about your menstrual cycle it would be easy to calculate ovulation period.

2. Ovulation period– Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary, moves down the Fallopian tube, and is available in the Fallopian tube to be fertilized.

Normally menstruation occurs 14th day after ovulation.

If you have 28 days cycle, ovulation period would be 14th day from the LMP (last menstrual period).

If you have 30 days cycle, ovulation period would be at 16th day from your LMP.

In 32 days cycle ovulation period would be 18th day from the LMP.

I want to clarify that after ovulation it takes 14 days to get period.

So if you want to calculate your ovulation period just go backward 14 counting from the next estimated date of menstrual period and that would be your ovulation period.

Simple formula

Days of menstrual cycle -14= ovulation period

Now you know about ovulation period.

Next is important to know that life span of egg is 24 hours and sperm is 4-5 days.

So Intercourse done during the fertile period would result in positive pregnancy, and chance of getting pregnant is 90 percent.

Conclusion is that Intercourse at 12th,13th, 14th,15th and 16th day would give you positive pregnancy.

3. Position during intercourse– male should be on the top.

Female should use a pillow under her waist making 45 degree angle for uterus so that path of sperm will be easy and directed towards uterus.

After release of semen (sperms) women should keep raise her legs for at least 20 minutes, it will help sperms movement directed towards uterus.

4. Abstinence – 5 days abstinence will help in collection of large amount of sperms and faster movement when they release after 5 days of abstinence.

5. Do not pass urine after intercourse at least 2 hrs.

6. Do not take hot water shower till 3 days after ovulation period.

7. Deep breathing exercises will help you stress free and blood purification, blood flow towards uterus and positivity in your thoughts.

Health Tips

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Few health tips

Health is wealth. It is easy to enjoy life if you are healthy. Only thing you have to balance life with work  .

Today life is very busy, and every one can say this easily that I don’t get time to keep me fit. Did you ever think that if you are working, means your body also working so in these 24 hours why you can not get time to stay your body healthy, just think and give few minutes from your schedule every day for your body only .  Only few things you have to keep in mind and follow me regularly, you will be happy to see changes in your life positively.

  1. Sleep– 6 hours sleep is very important for brain and body. The best time to sleep is between 10 pm to 4 am.
  2. Water -Drinking water when you wake up –keep water  overnight in a copper vessel and drink it in morning at least 4 glass of water. Drinking at least 10-12 glasses of water in a day is very good for health. Water plays a very important role in washout all the toxins from our body and maintains hydration.
  3. Yoga and meditation-the way you approach your morning can set the tone for the day ahead. Plays a very important role in keeping our body healthy and fit. After a night of rest your mind is clear, and research shows that will power is greatest in the hours after waking. When we meditate our brain centers get activated to secret relaxin hormone, at least 20 minutes per day yoga is very important to keep your body healthy.Yoga activates your nervous system and boost up your energy. Yoga rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit.
  4. Breakfast –We should always take healthy breakfast rich in protein ,fibers, and juices. Breakfast should be like a king. And the dinner should be the light meal of the day.
  5. Posture –Body postures plays a crucial role here. By positioning the body correcting while sitting and standing, there is even pressure on the spine, its muscles and ligaments. Having good posture can reduce physical stress on the body. Headaches, neck pain and back pain can be lessened when the body maintains a good upright position.
  6. Dietary habits– People can improve their overall eating patterns, the complete combination of foods and drinks in their diet, the eating pattern may be more predictive of overall health status and disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. Choose a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate calorie level to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy, and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Say no to junk foods, only juices, whole fruits, food rich in fibers, water, sprouts, reduce sodium intake, low added sugar, low saturated fat.  Avoid oily food,  use whole grain food items, avoid frozen food.
  7. Brush your teeth twice a day.
  8. We should not drink water after meal at least for 2 hour.
  9. Dinner – Dinner should take at least 3 hour before going to bed.
  10. Physical activity –at least 30 min /day for 5 days in a week. Physical activity associated with work, home, and transportation has declined in recent decades and can be attributed to less active occupations; reduced physical activity for commuting to work, school, or for errands; and increased sedentary behavior often associated with television viewing and other forms of screen time.