Class of 2015 homecoming flag football team
Monday, November 18, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease is not quite an epidemic but certainly does not receive the attention it deserves. Roughly 27 million people in the United States suffer from this disorder and about half of these people are unknowingly suffering from it (“Thyroid Problems”). Thyroid malfunctions are very hard to pinpoint considering the extensive list of symptoms. The symptoms people suffering from thyroid disease inhabit are symptoms of many other disorders; therefore, people can be easily misdiagnosed. Fortunately, a simple blood test of an individual's THS level (thyroid stimulating levels) can easily diagnose them (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). However, many people aren’t overly concerned with being tested unless their symptoms are blatant. Thyroid disorder symptoms are major obstacles that people have to cope with for their whole lives, but through different procedures and methods, symptoms can be lessened or nearly diminished. This blog won’t go into depth of Hyperthyroidism, but more so the thyroid disease overall, Hypothyroidism and the baggage that comes along with it.
What is Thyroid disease?
Our bodies endocrine system has a huge job of regulating the body and the functioning of the endocrine organs (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). These organs secrete hormones into the blood, controlling metabolism, mood and many other essential regulatory aspects (“Thyroid Problems”). The inability of an endocrine organ to function properly is known as Endocrine Disorder (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). One organ not doing its job, or, doing its job well will affect the entire body. The thyroid gland is a gland in the endocrine system that lies in the center region of the neck. The thyroid’s central job is to regulate metabolism. The thyroid regulates major organs and functions and also controls the growth and development of children (“Thyroid Problems”). There are two different types of Thyroid Disease, Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. These diseases are polar opposites with totally opposite symptoms that come along with them.
How is Thyroid Disease caused?
Thyroid disease can be caused from a multitude of things but all causes originate from an autoimmune disorder. This can be inherited from a family member, can happen after a woman is pregnant, radiation treatment for cancer, not having enough iodine in the diet (Hypothyroidism), a tumor on the thyroid and other reasons (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). Graves disease can also cause Thyroid Disease. Graves disease is caused by antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections (Kelley, Barbara Bailey). Even having family members who have certain diseases can put someone at risk for having Thyroid Disease (Kelley, Barbara Bailey). Developing thyroid disease and the prevention Thyroid Disease is out of the control of the person. Thyroid Disease has so many possible causes that attempting to prevent it would be impractical (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey).
How does Thyroid Disease impact the person's life?
Depending on the type the Thyroid Disease that the person has, the symptoms that they will experience will vary. For instance, someone with Hyperthyroidism may be extremely energetic and not be able to sleep. On the other hand, someone with Hypothyroidism may be extremely tired and fatigued and may sleep excessively. Some who has Hypothyroidism may experience other symptoms such as weight gain caused from lack of energy, depression, weak leg muscles, mood swings, lose of hair and nails etc. As you can see, the wide variety of symptoms makes the disease difficult to pinpoint. (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey)
What are the treatments?
There are a few options for treatments depending on preference and severity of the disease. One option is taking a synthetic hormone daily to supply the thyroid with the correct amount of hormone and to help regulate it so the body can function normally. If the thyroid has a tumor or a goiter on it or has potential of becoming cancerous, the thyroid can be removed through surgery and the patient can take the synthetic hormones. Another treatment is going through radioactive iodine treatments. (Kelley, Barbara Bailey)
My history with Hypothyroidism:
Ever since I was a young age, I always had experienced out of the ordinary symptoms. I was losing mass amounts of hair, my nails were falling right off and I was feeling depressed only at the age of seven. My parents were scared and more importantly, so was I. The doctors tried endless tests and after a simple blood test they came to realize that my hormone levels were off the charts. About two years ago, my endocrine system had “attacked” my thyroid to the point where it died. The symptoms I had experienced were awful. I would come home from school, go to sleep, wake up to eat dinner and go back to bed until the next day. I was exhausted, was gaining absurd amounts of weight and was depressed. When doctors realized that my thyroid had completely stop functioning, they could take action to get myself back to my typical state. Over the years, I’ve visited doctors from up to street all the way to Cleveland and Rochester to get answers. To this day my thyroid isn’t regulated and although the symptoms have lightened up, they still exist. After dealing with this for ten or more years, I’ve lost hope in getting better and have come to the conclusion that this was given to me and that I need to accept it.
Works Cited:
Thyroid Gland. Digital image. Mercola.com. Mercola, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
S., Melissa. Digital Image. Thyroid Disorder & Dysfunctions. Digital image. Shrinking Jeans. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://shrinkingjeans.net/2013/04/thyroid-disorders-and-disfunction/>.
Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey. "Hypothyroidism." The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 1155-1160. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
"Thyroid Problems." Teen Health and Wellness. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2013 <http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/article/330/thyroid-problems>
Kelley, Barbara Bailey. "Running on Empty." Health. May/June 1997: 64-68. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 25 Oct 2013.
What is Thyroid disease?
Our bodies endocrine system has a huge job of regulating the body and the functioning of the endocrine organs (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). These organs secrete hormones into the blood, controlling metabolism, mood and many other essential regulatory aspects (“Thyroid Problems”). The inability of an endocrine organ to function properly is known as Endocrine Disorder (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). One organ not doing its job, or, doing its job well will affect the entire body. The thyroid gland is a gland in the endocrine system that lies in the center region of the neck. The thyroid’s central job is to regulate metabolism. The thyroid regulates major organs and functions and also controls the growth and development of children (“Thyroid Problems”). There are two different types of Thyroid Disease, Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. These diseases are polar opposites with totally opposite symptoms that come along with them.
How is Thyroid Disease caused?
Thyroid disease can be caused from a multitude of things but all causes originate from an autoimmune disorder. This can be inherited from a family member, can happen after a woman is pregnant, radiation treatment for cancer, not having enough iodine in the diet (Hypothyroidism), a tumor on the thyroid and other reasons (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey). Graves disease can also cause Thyroid Disease. Graves disease is caused by antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections (Kelley, Barbara Bailey). Even having family members who have certain diseases can put someone at risk for having Thyroid Disease (Kelley, Barbara Bailey). Developing thyroid disease and the prevention Thyroid Disease is out of the control of the person. Thyroid Disease has so many possible causes that attempting to prevent it would be impractical (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey).
How does Thyroid Disease impact the person's life?
Depending on the type the Thyroid Disease that the person has, the symptoms that they will experience will vary. For instance, someone with Hyperthyroidism may be extremely energetic and not be able to sleep. On the other hand, someone with Hypothyroidism may be extremely tired and fatigued and may sleep excessively. Some who has Hypothyroidism may experience other symptoms such as weight gain caused from lack of energy, depression, weak leg muscles, mood swings, lose of hair and nails etc. As you can see, the wide variety of symptoms makes the disease difficult to pinpoint. (Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey)
What are the treatments?
There are a few options for treatments depending on preference and severity of the disease. One option is taking a synthetic hormone daily to supply the thyroid with the correct amount of hormone and to help regulate it so the body can function normally. If the thyroid has a tumor or a goiter on it or has potential of becoming cancerous, the thyroid can be removed through surgery and the patient can take the synthetic hormones. Another treatment is going through radioactive iodine treatments. (Kelley, Barbara Bailey)
My history with Hypothyroidism:
Ever since I was a young age, I always had experienced out of the ordinary symptoms. I was losing mass amounts of hair, my nails were falling right off and I was feeling depressed only at the age of seven. My parents were scared and more importantly, so was I. The doctors tried endless tests and after a simple blood test they came to realize that my hormone levels were off the charts. About two years ago, my endocrine system had “attacked” my thyroid to the point where it died. The symptoms I had experienced were awful. I would come home from school, go to sleep, wake up to eat dinner and go back to bed until the next day. I was exhausted, was gaining absurd amounts of weight and was depressed. When doctors realized that my thyroid had completely stop functioning, they could take action to get myself back to my typical state. Over the years, I’ve visited doctors from up to street all the way to Cleveland and Rochester to get answers. To this day my thyroid isn’t regulated and although the symptoms have lightened up, they still exist. After dealing with this for ten or more years, I’ve lost hope in getting better and have come to the conclusion that this was given to me and that I need to accept it.
Works Cited:
Thyroid Gland. Digital image. Mercola.com. Mercola, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
S., Melissa. Digital Image. Thyroid Disorder & Dysfunctions. Digital image. Shrinking Jeans. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://shrinkingjeans.net/2013/04/thyroid-disorders-and-disfunction/>.
Sims, Judith, and Rebecca J. Frey. "Hypothyroidism." The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 1155-1160. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
"Thyroid Problems." Teen Health and Wellness. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2013 <http://www.teenhealthandwellness.com/article/330/thyroid-problems>
Kelley, Barbara Bailey. "Running on Empty." Health. May/June 1997: 64-68. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 25 Oct 2013.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)