What is Hyperthyroidism, Its Symptoms and Treatment

October 30, 2009

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excess thyroxin. Common symptoms include heart palpitations, arrhythmias, weight loss and difficulty sleeping. Serious symptoms include thyrotoxic crisis, leading to a very rapid pulse, increased fever and delirium. Diagnosis depends on symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe beta blockers or Anti-thyroid medications such as Methimazole and propylthiouracil. Side effects of anti-thyroid medications include itching, rash or fever.

The most widely recommended treatment for hyperthyroidism is radioactive iodine, which can be taken orally. The thyroid absorbs iodine and radioactivity kills the thyroid gland. This process usually takes two months. The downside to this type of treatment is that once the thyroid is killed, you will require hormone replacement for the rest of your life because you no longer have a hormone producing thyroid gland.

Another treatment for hyperthyroidism is surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. The risks carried in this case are damage to nearby vocal cords or parathyroid glands. You may also carry an added risk of infection or other complications associated with surgical procedures. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, seek help from your physician.

Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Thyroid Nodules

October 28, 2009

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the neck, containing lumps, known as nodules filled with either solid or fluid. Sometimes malignant, most remain undiscovered, unless they enlarge and the physician detects it during routine physical examination.

Signs and symptoms of thyroid nodule can be detected only after swelling and include rapid growth, noticeably enlarged lymph nodes, and/or hoarseness or dyspnea. Though the causes of thyroid nodule are unclear, genetics, hypothyroidism or inflammation may play a vital role. Thyroid cysts are either benign (most likely fluid-filled) or malignant (most likely solid). Other form of thyroid nodules includes hyper functioning, inflammatory, multinodular goiter, or thyroid cancer. Certain risk factors such as radiation exposure and thyroid condition predispose a person to thyroid nodules.  Also, women are more prone to thyroid nodules.

Complications arising with thyroid nodules include heart difficulties, thyrotoxic crisis and osteoporosis. Diagnosis is done post physical examination and imaging. Additional diagnostic measures involved include ultrasounds, biopsies, and/or thyroid testing. Treatment is conducted after careful and close observation followed by medications such as hormone suppression therapy, surgery and/or radioactive iodine treatments. Check with your physician for treatment.

Treatment Option Available For Sarcoidosis Patients

October 22, 2009

Sarcoidosis is a disease affecting major body organs including heart, lungs and liver. Formation of cell particles known as granulomas is the most prevalent aspect of Sarcoidosis. Though its treatment isn’t usually essential in most cases, it varies based on the person’s requirement.  Medications enhance the risk of developing health problems, thanks to weakened immune system. Surgery only worsens the condition as granulomas form around surgical scars. The main treatment method is corticosteroids, designed to reduce body inflammation and prevent organ damage.

Side effects of corticosteroids include acne, insomnia, weight gain and mood disturbances. Long-term usage may cause symptoms such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, glaucoma, cataracts, as well as other medical problems.  Other medications used to treat sarcoidosis are immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil and antimalarial medications, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.

Additionally, there are new treatments that are sometimes considered.  Some of these new treatments are tetracyclines, thalidomide’s, etanercept, adalimumab, and pentoxifylline.  Further, depending on which organ is affected other treatment may be more appropriate targeting the specific organ.  Check with your physician for early diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Hyperthyroidism? What Are Its Symptoms And How Could It Be Treated?

October 21, 2009

Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused due to excessive secretion of thyroxin by the thyroid gland. It causes severe acceleration of the body’s metabolism. Diagnosis is difficult as it mimics other ailments. Symptoms include sudden weight loss without appetite change, rapid heart rate, increased nervousness, anxiety attacks, increased heat intolerance, excessive sweating, trembling hands and sleep disorders.

One of the causes of Hyperthyroidism is “Graves” disease where the body’s antibodies stimulate thyroid gland to secrete excess thyroxin. The other cause is thyroid gland inflammation. Symptoms are checked with a simple blood test to check the thyroid gland size. If the doctor suspects hyperthyroidism, additional tests may be conducted. Radioactive iodine test or thyroid scan may also be undertaken.

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism causes serious complications such as heart problems, brittle bones, red, swollen skin and even “thyrotoxic” which can cause fever, rapid pulse and delirium. Seek instant medical attention for such conditions. Treatment includes radioactive iodine intake, anti-thyroid and/ or beta blocker medications and thyroidectomy - a surgery to remove the thyroid gland. Surgery may damage vocal cords and parathyroid glands. Visit your physician post-treatment.

How Does Mycobacterium Tuberculosis spread?

October 14, 2009

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the leading cause of death due to bacterial infection, affecting one third of world’s population each year. With 13,293 cases in 2007, it’s on the decline. The bacterial agent that causes tuberculosis in humans is mycobacterium.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis passes from one person to another via droplets of infected cough, sneeze, saliva or mucus. As soon as the bacterium reaches the lungs, they get transmitted to the lymphatic system, spreading to other organs. The bacteria multiply in high oxygen pressure area, like upper lobes of lungs, kidneys, bone marrows and brain. People with HIV or AIDS carry a high risk of suffering from the disease.

The best way to control mycobacterium tuberculosis is to diagnose and treat the infection early. Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy immune system, undergoing regular medical checkups, taking preventative measures and completing the medication course. Wear face masks in the first three weeks of treatment so as to prevent the risk of transmitting it to others. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, check with your physician.

Sarcoidosis And Methods Of Diagnosing It

October 8, 2009

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that strikes the organs. It is often diagnosed after eliminating possibilities of other diseases through chest x-rays. The doctor conducts a thorough physical examination of the patient. He checks the patients’ medical history looking for unusual signs or symptoms, skin abnormalities and eye discomfort including redness, and swollen areas such as lymph nodes.

A sarcoidosis patient has particles or clumps of tissue called granulomas, appearing as shadow on chest x-rays, classified as follows:  -

Stage 0 - Normal
1 - Clear lungs with enlarged lymph nodes
2 - Shadows with enlarged lymph nodes
3 – No lymph nodes but shadows
4 - Lungs with notable scar tissue

The physician also orders blood tests to measure the proteins, calcium, and angiotensin converting enzymes in kidney and liver along with bone marrow changes. He also evaluates a person’s pulmonary functioning to check the lung condition using simple but costly spirometer test which indicates lung scarring, lung volume, diffusing capacity and pulse oximetry test.

Other testing are also done including CT scan, MR scan, Thallium, Gallium scans, PET scans, Cardiac testing and eye testing. If you are a sarcoidosis patient, see your physician.

Is BCG Vaccine Effective In Preventing Tuberculosis?

October 6, 2009

BCG or Bacille Calmette-Guerin is a vaccine used to treat tuberculosis. Current research indicates the BCG vaccine is minimally effective in children and ineffective in adults. Researchers are currently investigating various methods to significantly “jumpstart” immune system and protect it against mycobacterium tuberculosis. Once perfected, the BCG vaccine then becomes the first line of defense against tuberculosis meningitis, a severe form of meningitis that affects children.

BCG vaccination must be considered for children with negative TB skin test but who are continually exposed and can’t be separated from adults who either are untreated for tuberculosis or have strains resistant to isoniazid and rifampin. It mustn’t be given to immune-suppressed or pregnant individuals. A new vaccine developed in Germany has shown promising results in mice.

However, researchers from National Institute for Medical Research in London caution that developing another live vaccine based on BCG won’t address issues in HIV and AIDs patients as it causes more harm to them. Researchers developing this new “souped up” BCG vaccine state they are aware of the issue and that the new vaccine is not intended for use in immune-compromised patients.