Thyroid disease known since ancient times. Apart from the possible cosmetic defects, they inflict a serious blow to the various systems of the body.

Diseases associated with dysfunction of the thyroid gland

A condition in which the thyroid gland is functioning insufficiently active, called hypothyroidism. It can have many causes, such as:

• Autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis (chronic autoimmune thyroiditis);
• Postpartum thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland after pregnancy);
• Acute thyroiditis;
• Chronic thyroiditis;
• Resistance to thyroid hormone;
• Drugs which influence the function of the thyroid gland (e.g., amiodarone).

Excessive activity of the thyroid gland leads to increased levels of thyroid hormones, which can result in hyperthyroidism. Some of the causes of hyperthyroidism:

• Graves' disease;
• Toxic multinodular goiter;
• Excessive consumption of iodine;
• Hashitoksikoz;
• Receiving drugs that stimulate the activity of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:

• Constant fatigue;
• Unclear thinking and forgetfulness;
• Strong chills;
• Constipation;
• Dry skin;
• Fluid retention in the body, which may be a consequence of swelling;
• Non-specific pain and stiffness in muscles and joints;
• Overly intense and prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia);
• Depression.

Soft forms of hyperthyroidism may not cause any symptoms. In patients older than 70 years and may not be the classic symptoms of the disease. In general, the symptoms become more pronounced as the patient's condition deteriorates; It is typically associated with increased metabolic processes in the body. The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• Increased sweating;
• The intolerance to high temperatures;
• Increased intestinal motility;
• Tremor;
• Nervousness, irritability;
• Increased heart rate;
• Weight loss;
• Fatigue;
• The weakening of the concentration;
• Irregular menstrual cycle.

In elderly patients, hyperthyroidism can lead to irregular heartbeat and heart failure. In the most severe, and if untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause so-called "thyroid storm" - a condition characterized by high blood pressure, fever, and sometimes heart failure. Sometimes there are changes in the level of consciousness, manifested delusions Brad - not only crazy   and a violation of the connectedness of thinking.

Diseases associated with disorders of the thyroid gland structure

As a rule, structural disorders of the thyroid gland, sooner or later lead to violations of its functions. Structural disorders include: goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), prostate adenoma, a benign cyst and thyroid cancer.

Symptoms

Goiter or a large tumor in the thyroid gland can cause shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing - if the gland will compress the trachea and / or esophagus.

Thyroid enlargement may be cosmetic defects (though often enlarged thyroid gland Increase in thyroid - that underlies the disease   not much eye).

The rapid change in the structure of the thyroid gland can cause pain. If the cause of structural failure of the thyroid gland is cancer, there may be swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, sweating at night, and change in appetite.

Diagnostics

To assess the function of the thyroid gland make blood test that can be used to determine the level of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects   and thyroid-stimulating hormone. If necessary, also use the methods of medical imaging and biopsy.

Treatment

To reduce the level of hormones in hyperthyroidism can be used medication. Also assigned to receive medication to alleviate some symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat. In hypothyroidism appointed by the administration of drugs that eliminate the consequences of the lack of activity of the thyroid gland.

If the thyroid gland is enlarged so that compresses the airways, it may be necessary surgery. The operation was also carried out for cosmetic reasons or in cases of suspected thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer: it is curable . Depending on the type and severity of the disease, the thyroid gland may be removed partially or completely.

There are two main types of diabetes - diabetes first and second type. They lead to metabolic disorders in the body and may emerge as the elderly and young people.

Type 1 diabetes

Diabetes first type is also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. When such diabetic pancreas is attacked by the immune system becomes unable to produce enough insulin. Most patients with diabetes type first detected abnormal antibodies, which act on the beta cells in the pancreas responsible for the production of insulin. The reasons for this are not clear, but it is expected that the development of diabetes is the role of heredity.

Exposure to viral infections (e.g., mumps and coxsackie virus) or different toxins may become a trigger abnormal response of the immune system, resulting in broken pancreatic cells that produce insulin.

Diabetes is the first type most often develops in young people under the age of thirty years. Among all patients with diabetes mellitus the first type is 10%.

Type 2 diabetes

Type II diabetes is also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In patients with Type II diabetes the pancreas produces insulin in amounts that do not meet the body's needs - in many cases, more than necessary. One of the main characteristics of Type II diabetes is a lack of sensitivity to insulin The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives   the body's cells. As a result of this impaired glucose control Glucose: The energy source And gluconeogenesis in the liver may continue, despite the fact that the glucose level exceeds the normal.

Although type II diabetes is the most common in patients over the age of thirty years, is currently experiencing an increase in the number of cases among adolescents. According to some information now, for the first time in the history of mankind, Type II diabetes has become more common among children than the first type of diabetes. This is mainly the result of poor nutrition, overweight and sedentary lifestyles.

Genetics plays a role in the development of Type II diabetes, but are of great importance and other risk factors, the most serious of which is obesity. According to experts, the risk of diabetes doubles every time the body weight increased by 20% - this is true for both adults and children.

With regard to age, regardless of body weight, after forty years, likely to develop Type II diabetes increases significantly. The largest number of cases are aged between 65 and 74 years. Particularly high risk of diabetes in women who have experienced pregnancy gestational diabetes. It develops as a result of hormonal change in women who have a genetic predisposition to gestational diabetes. As a rule, it passes soon after birth, but in 20-50% of women, in whose history there is a violation, eventually developing Type II diabetes.

Secondary diabetes

Secondary diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health   increases as a result of various other disorders. For example, diabetes may be secondary result of chronic pancreatitis, damage or removal of the pancreas, hormonal disorders Hormonal disorders - oversupply and a lack of equally dangerous , and so on.

Some medications may serve as a trigger latent diabetes - in particular, steroids (such as prednisone), and drugs used to treat HIV-infected patients.