Understanding the Best Ways to Deal with Thyroid Disorder

 

If you are dealing with a thyroid disorder, whether it is hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, it can pose unique challenges in your daily life. A thyroid disorder can have a major impact on your well-being, affecting your energy levels, metabolism, your heart rate, your digestive system, and emotional state. When you are faced with the problems brought on by your thyroid, it can be overwhelming. However, you can cope with your disorder when you are proactive.

 

A Proper Diagnosis is Key

According to the Chicago Weight Loss Center, you need a proper diagnosis in order to take charge of your thyroid disorder. Set up a consultation with your primary physician and describe the symptoms that you have been experiencing. Request testing to get to the bottom of your symptoms. Once you know exactly what you are dealing with, you will be able to treat your thyroid disorder effectively.

 

Consider Your Options for Treatment

Thyroid disorders can have serious implications concerning your health and should not be treated with solely home remedies. Medication and surgery are the typical solutions to problems with the thyroid. If not managed properly, it can be life-threatening in some cases. When hyperthyroidism is the problem, or an overactive thyroid, the most common treatments involve medications, surgery, and radioactive iodide treatment. These treatments are designed to slow down hormone production in the thyroid. If you are struggling with hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, the only solution is hormone replacement therapy. A doctor will prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone medication in order to supply your body with the essential hormones that are no longer being produced by your thyroid.

 

Alternative Options

While alternative medicine cannot replace medical treatment for your thyroid disorder, you may find that a variety of supplements can be helpful in balancing your hormone levels and cleansing your system. You may find relief from some of your symptoms through acupuncture, adjustments at the chiropractor’s office, and through deep massage. Adjusting your diet and including foods that are rich in calcium, the B vitamins, iodine, vitamin C, and vitamin A can be beneficial as well. You should reduce or eliminate your intake of caffeine and cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine. Both can aggravate your symptoms.

 

Regardless of what path you take to manage your thyroid disorder, you need to be diligent. Pay attention to your body. Eat a balanced diet, get regular, physical activity, and adequate rest. If you choose alternative treatments to address your thyroid condition, it is vital that you see a physician regularly to make sure your thyroid levels are under control. Stay on top of your condition, and you can feel healthy again.

 

Categories: hypothyroidism, overactive thyroid, thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroid function, thyroid gland

Causes of miscarriage

 

There are many reasons why a miscarriage may happen, although the cause is often not identified.

If a miscarriage happens during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months), it is usually due to problems with the unborn baby (foetus). About three in every four miscarriages happen during this period.

If a miscarriage happens during the second trimester of pregnancy (between weeks 14 and 26), it may be the result of an underlying health condition in the mother.

These late miscarriages may be caused by an infection around the baby which leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding, In rare cases, they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon.

 

First trimester miscarriages

Most first trimester miscarriages are caused by problems with the chromosomes of the foetus.

 

Chromosome problems

Chromosomes are blocks of DNA. They contain a detailed set of instructions that control a wide range of factors, from how the cells of the body develop to what colour eyes a baby will have.

Sometimes, something can go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives too many or not enough chromosomes. The reasons for this are often unclear, but it means that the foetus will not be able to develop normally, resulting in a miscarriage.

It is estimated that up to two thirds of early miscarriages are associated with chromosome abnormalities.

 

Placental problems

The placenta is the organ that links the mother’s blood supply to her baby’s. If there is a problem with the development of the placenta, it can also lead to a miscarriage.

 

Things that increase your risk

An early miscarriage may happen by chance. However, there are several things known to increase your risk of problems happening.

The age of the mother has an influence:

• in women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women aged 35-39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women over 45, more than half of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage

Other risk factors include:

• obesity


• smoking during pregnancy


• drug misuse during pregnancy


• drinking more than 200mg of caffeine a day (one mug of tea contains around 75mg of caffeine, and one mug of instant coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine)


• drinking more than two units of alcohol a week: one unit is half a pint of bitter or ordinary strength lager, a small glass of wine or a 25ml measure of spirits

Second trimester miscarriages

 

Long-term health conditions

Several long-term (chronic) health conditions can increase your risk of having a miscarriage in the second trimester. These are:

• diabetes (if it is poorly controlled)


• severe high blood pressure


• lupus (a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue)


• kidney disease


• an overactive thyroid gland


• an underactive thyroid gland


• coeliac disease (having an adverse reaction to gluten)

Infections

The following infections may also increase your risk:

• rubella (German measles)


• cytomegalovirus


• toxoplasmosis


• bacterial vaginosis


• HIV


• chlamydia


• gonorrhoea


• syphilis


• malaria

Medicines

Medicines increasing your risk include:

• misoprostol (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• retinoids (used for eczema and acne)


• methotrexate (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used for pain and inflammation)

To be sure that a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking it.

Read more about medicines during pregnancy.

 

Womb structure

Problems and abnormalities with your womb can also lead to second trimester miscarriages. Possible problems include:

• non-cancerous growths in the womb called fibroids


• an abnormally shaped womb

Weakened cervix

In some cases, the muscles of the cervix (neck of the womb) are weaker than usual. This is known as a weakened cervix or cervical incompetence. A weakened cervix may be due to a previous injury to this area usually following a surgical procedure.

The muscle weakness can cause the cervix to open too early during pregnancy leading to a miscarriage.

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal. It can lead to hormonal imbalances inside the womb.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be a leading cause of infertility. There is some evidence to suggest it may also be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages in fertile women. However, the exact role polycystic ovary syndrome plays in miscarriages is unclear.

 

Misconceptions about miscarriage

An increased risk of miscarriage is not linked to:

• a mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, such as being stressed or depressed


• having a shock or fright during pregnancy


• exercise during pregnancy (but discuss with your GP or midwife what type of exercise is suitable for you during pregnancy)


• lifting or straining during pregnancy


• working during pregnancy


• having sex during pregnancy

The post Causes of miscarriage appeared first on .

Categories: health conditions, Long term, miscarriage nbsp, ovary syndrome, polycystic ovary, Rheumatoid Arthritis, thyroid gland, trimester miscarriages, weakened cervix

Causes of miscarriage

 

There are many reasons why a miscarriage may happen, although the cause is often not identified.

If a miscarriage happens during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months), it is usually due to problems with the unborn baby (foetus). About three in every four miscarriages happen during this period.

If a miscarriage happens during the second trimester of pregnancy (between weeks 14 and 26), it may be the result of an underlying health condition in the mother.

These late miscarriages may be caused by an infection around the baby which leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding, In rare cases, they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon.

 

First trimester miscarriages

Most first trimester miscarriages are caused by problems with the chromosomes of the foetus.

 

Chromosome problems

Chromosomes are blocks of DNA. They contain a detailed set of instructions that control a wide range of factors, from how the cells of the body develop to what colour eyes a baby will have.

Sometimes, something can go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives too many or not enough chromosomes. The reasons for this are often unclear, but it means that the foetus will not be able to develop normally, resulting in a miscarriage.

It is estimated that up to two thirds of early miscarriages are associated with chromosome abnormalities.

 

Placental problems

The placenta is the organ that links the mother’s blood supply to her baby’s. If there is a problem with the development of the placenta, it can also lead to a miscarriage.

 

Things that increase your risk

An early miscarriage may happen by chance. However, there are several things known to increase your risk of problems happening.

The age of the mother has an influence:

• in women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women aged 35-39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women over 45, more than half of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage

Other risk factors include:

• obesity


• smoking during pregnancy


• drug misuse during pregnancy


• drinking more than 200mg of caffeine a day (one mug of tea contains around 75mg of caffeine, and one mug of instant coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine)


• drinking more than two units of alcohol a week: one unit is half a pint of bitter or ordinary strength lager, a small glass of wine or a 25ml measure of spirits

Second trimester miscarriages

 

Long-term health conditions

Several long-term (chronic) health conditions can increase your risk of having a miscarriage in the second trimester. These are:

• diabetes (if it is poorly controlled)


• severe high blood pressure


• lupus (a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue)


• kidney disease


• an overactive thyroid gland


• an underactive thyroid gland


• coeliac disease (having an adverse reaction to gluten)

Infections

The following infections may also increase your risk:

• rubella (German measles)


• cytomegalovirus


• toxoplasmosis


• bacterial vaginosis


• HIV


• chlamydia


• gonorrhoea


• syphilis


• malaria

Medicines

Medicines increasing your risk include:

• misoprostol (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• retinoids (used for eczema and acne)


• methotrexate (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used for pain and inflammation)

To be sure that a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking it.

Read more about medicines during pregnancy.

 

Womb structure

Problems and abnormalities with your womb can also lead to second trimester miscarriages. Possible problems include:

• non-cancerous growths in the womb called fibroids


• an abnormally shaped womb

Weakened cervix

In some cases, the muscles of the cervix (neck of the womb) are weaker than usual. This is known as a weakened cervix or cervical incompetence. A weakened cervix may be due to a previous injury to this area usually following a surgical procedure.

The muscle weakness can cause the cervix to open too early during pregnancy leading to a miscarriage.

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal. It can lead to hormonal imbalances inside the womb.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be a leading cause of infertility. There is some evidence to suggest it may also be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages in fertile women. However, the exact role polycystic ovary syndrome plays in miscarriages is unclear.

 

Misconceptions about miscarriage

An increased risk of miscarriage is not linked to:

• a mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, such as being stressed or depressed


• having a shock or fright during pregnancy


• exercise during pregnancy (but discuss with your GP or midwife what type of exercise is suitable for you during pregnancy)


• lifting or straining during pregnancy


• working during pregnancy


• having sex during pregnancy

The post Causes of miscarriage appeared first on .

Categories: health conditions, Long term, miscarriage nbsp, ovary syndrome, polycystic ovary, Rheumatoid Arthritis, thyroid gland, trimester miscarriages, weakened cervix

Hypothyroidism - Are You at Risk?

Hypothyroidism is the medical term for an underactive thyroid and describes a condition in which there is a lower level of the thyroid hormone in the body. This hormone is known as thyroxine and causes various symptoms, such as tiredness, constipation, weight gain, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold. The treatment for this condition is usually quite easy, with a tablet provided for each day to replace the missing hormone. In most people, this is usually enough to treat the problem and the symptoms disappear.

The thyroid gland is found in the neck and produces the hormone which travels in the bloodstream around the body. It’s needed to help keep the body’s functions and metabolism working at the right pace, and many cells require thyroxine to keep working effectively. Hypothyroidism results from the thyroid gland being unable to produce enough thyroxine, so the functions in the body slow down. It may also be caused if there isn’t enough of the gland left to make thyroxine, such as after an injury or following a surgery. The less common symptoms include infertility, loss of sex drive, carpal tunnel syndrome and irregular menstrual periods in women. However, it’s important to remember that all of the symptoms can be caused by other conditions, so you should seek medical advice in order to confirm that you do have this condition.

If left untreated, hypothyroidism can increase your risk of developing heart disease, due to the fact that a low thyroxine level causes the blood lipids to rise, increasing your cholesterol. If you’re pregnant it can also increase the risk of complications, such as anaemia, premature labour, low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, serious bleeding after the birth, and even stillbirth. In severe cases, it can also lead to a hypothyroid coma, but this is a rare complication. This condition affects around 1 in 50 women and around 1 in 1000 men. It generally affects adults and becomes more common as you age. It can occur at any age though, and can affect anyone. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease known as autoimmune thyroiditis. This causes antibodies to attack the bacteria and other germs in the body, but if you have an autoimmune disease this can make antibodies against certain tissues in the body. Naturally, with autoimmune thyroiditis, this can cause antibodies to attach to the thyroid gland and affect its functioning. Surgery can also be a common cause, as this lowers the functionality of the gland itself. Other causes include side effects to medicines, a problem with your pituitary gland, and iodine deficiency.

The condition is diagnosed by a blood test, and is treated by taking a levothyroxine tablet each day. This works to replace the hormone loss in the body and generally works quite quickly to alleviate symptoms. Ideally, you should take this on an empty stomach as there are some nutrients which can interfere with the efficiency of the medication, such as calcium and iron.

The main facts you should be aware of is that this condition is fairly common and the symptoms develop over time. The treatment you’ll require if you have this problem is usually for life, and you’ll need to have a blood test once a year to ensure that your medication dosage is accurate. If you’re concerned about any of the symptoms you have and are worried that you may have hypothyroidism, you should seek advice from your GP. They will be able to carry out a blood test to determine if you do have the condition.

Categories: autoimmune disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, Blood Test, body, condition, gland, hypothyroidism, Symptoms, thyroid, thyroid gland, thyroxine