The thyroid gland - a small organ located in the front of the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting   in the body. Accordingly, thyroid disease significantly affect the human health in general. If too little hormone is produced, the metabolism slows down, causing lethargy and other symptoms. If too much hormone is produced, it leads to nervousness and rapid heartbeat.

Depending on the type of disease, thyroid disease symptoms can vary drastically.

Hyperthyroidism

The disease is associated with increased activity of the thyroid gland and its hormones produced by excess.

One of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism: increased secretion of thyroid hormone   - Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease in which increased activity is due to thyroid stimulating antibodies produced by the human immune system. Among other causes of hyperthyroidism - the formation of autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas and abuse of hormone drugs.

The main symptoms of this disease include:

• Nervousness, irritability
• Increased perspiration
• Cardiopalmus
• Diarrhea, bowel disorders
• Tremor
• Sudden weight loss
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Violation of the menstrual cycle in women

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism - a disease associated with decreased activity of the thyroid gland and its hormones produced by the deficiency. The main features include:

• Increased fatigue
• Intolerance to cold, low body temperature
• Slow heartbeat
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Heavy menstruation in women
• Erectile dysfunction in men

Grave's disease

Graves' disease - an autoimmune disease, the result of thyroid stimulating antibodies the human immune system, resulting in an excess of its hormone (hyperthyroidism). Graves' disease occurs most often in women between the ages of twenty to forty years. The main symptoms of this disease include:

• The increase in cancer, goiter
• Swollen, watery, itchy eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Irritability, anxiety
• Sudden weight loss
• Increased sweating, sensitivity to heat
• Weakness of the muscles of the arms and legs

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

As in the case of Graves' disease, in the case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or so-called autoimmune thyroiditis, cause disease appears immune system produced antibodies which affect the thyroid gland. In the case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis antibodies disrupt thyroid, leading to a decrease in its activity and hormone deficiency.

The main symptoms of this disease include:

• The increase in cancer, goiter
• Intolerance to cold
• Shortness of breath
• Weight gain
• Increased fatigue
• Constipation
• Menstrual disorders, problems with the ability to conceive
• Early graying
• Impaired concentration and attention

Postpartum thyroiditis

This disease - the result of an inflammatory process occurs in five percent of women in the first few months after birth. To distinguish the two stages of the disease: in the first stage of postpartum thyroiditis have symptoms similar to the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and with the development of the disease leads to damage to the thyroid hypothyroidism with its characteristic symptoms.

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer - malignant tumors in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Usually such formations are absolutely harmless and also very common - and ninety - ninety-five percent of thyroid nodes are safe for human health. However, malignant tumors grow and begin to threaten a person's life.

Goiter

The growth of the thyroid gland, or goiter - one of the characteristic signs of thyroid disease Thyroid disease - women at risk . Since the emergence of the crop may be indicative of different diseases, including cancer, when it detects the first signs of proliferation is necessary to pass a medical examination. In most cases, goiter - a symptom of hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism: symptoms - how to determine what happens to you?   or hypothyroidism, but in some cases can cause the appearance of goitre other factors - such as poor diet, lack of iodine in the body.

Patients reliably diagnosed diabetes, in need of constant monitoring of glycemia. Blood sugar is specifically designed for easy use in his home. The procedure itself takes little time survey allows for self-control sugar values ​​during the day.

As to measure glycemia

Blood sugar readings depend on many factors, so it is important to their continuous monitoring. If significant deviations from normal values ​​can be taken to adjust the dose of medicines, which is very important for patients with a chronic state of hyperglycemia. The apparatus measures the blood sugar meter is called.

This type of instrumentation is simple to operate, they can take advantage of each person to whom you want to measure. Meter itself represented a special device and an additional device (test strips for measuring handle finger stick). Measuring blood sugar Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health   It is carried out in a clear sequence according to the instructions. The device is automatically activated after it is inserted into the test strip. Before the start of the measurement to be adjusted to the desired depth knob. The handle has a special division, which indicates the depth of the puncture.

The puncture site to be treated with alcohol, and then you can start measuring. Pierce the finger very gently to obtain a uniform drop of blood, which is to fill in the working sector of the strip. An important condition for obtaining the result is to prevent spreading of a drop of blood. If this requirement is not met, the finger puncture should be repeated. During the first 15 seconds the meter glucose values ​​appear. To complete the study, it is necessary to remove the test strip, then the unit of measurement of sugar in the blood off automatically.

For some patients, who are unable to undergo regular examinations in a clinic for various reasons, can successfully solve the problem of how to measure blood sugar Blood sugar - a very important indicator   at home with the help of the meter The unit of measurement of sugar in the blood - blood glucose meter . This research is not only easy and convenient, and secure.

What can affect the accuracy of the result

For patients who control the blood glucose levels is important the accuracy of data obtained during the measurement. To avoid errors, you must follow the practical guidelines for blood collection and technique of research. Blood test results depends on the following conditions:

• be sure to verify the expiry dates of test strips. It is unacceptable to apply overdue materials for research.
• the meter itself must be calibrated according to codes that are listed on the package to test systems
• blood collection procedure is associated with the development of pain. Can reduce the severity of pain in doing puncture in the side surface of the finger rather than in the central portion. It is important to make a puncture to the desired depth, or by deep puncture developing tissue damage. The optimum depth of a puncture set on a special pen that is included for the study
• it is recommended to do a light massage the fingers prior to the study, if the patient has circulatory disorders

A drop of blood is applied to a special location on the test strip, which are marked in black. They are not on the whole surface of the strip and on the side, however this feature is necessary to know in order to properly perform the measurement. Before the start of the study should carefully read the instruction, where there is a detailed explanation of how to determine blood sugar.

The frequency of glucose measurements during the day should be discussed with your doctor, as it depends on the form of disease severity. In some cases, you may need more frequent sugar, so the patient should follow the doctor's recommendations about how to measure blood sugar How to measure blood sugar: diabetes care . On the results may affect the reception of a number of medicines. Drugs during sickness is not recommended to cancel because of the forthcoming study, to be as often as possible to control glycemia.

There are some differences between the results of measurements of blood sugar, which was carried out in the hospital and at home. To a large extent this is due to compliance of the measures, which are defined according to instructions. Compliance with sanitary requirements at the time of blood collection is also essential. You can not take the analysis of dirty hands. The surface to puncture the finger should be treated with an alcohol solution, in order to prevent subsequent infection. At the same time it must not be allowed to place itself puncture was wet, so it is dried with a cotton swab.

If a person has decided to find out the status of carbohydrate metabolism, the first question arises, how to check blood sugar. For this purpose, great glucometers. Do not try to interpret the results yourself. The results of blood sugar can be fixed in a special diary of observations, and in the case of long-term excess of normal glucose values ​​should refer to an endocrinologist. It is recommended to study for a week, and then show the results of the expert. To obtain reliable values ​​need to measure blood sugar at different times, are not tied to the study of any particular time. For patients with compensated diabetes mellitus should be monitored periodically glycemia after eating the food, be sure to fixing this feature in the diary.

Marina Solovyov