Goiter is a condition where there is a lump in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is owned by both men and women. In men, the thyroid gland is located just below the Adam's apple.
Under normal conditions, the thyroid gland does not appear prominent. The function of this gland is to produce thyroid hormone, which regulates various normal body functions, such as heart rate, body temperature, and muscle strength.
Symptoms experienced by people with goiter can vary, depending on the effect on thyroid hormone in the body, whether it increases, decreases, or remains normal.
Causes of Mumps
Although in some cases, a goiter can appear without a definite cause, in general, a goiter is caused by a number of the following conditions:
- Lackyodium. The thyroid gland requires iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency will make the thyroid gland work harder and eventually enlarge.
- Food. Examples of foods that if consumed in excess can cause goiter are soybeans, spinach, and tofu.
- Graves' disease. Graves' disease occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive in producing hormones, due to an immune system reaction that attacks the thyroid gland. An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) will cause the thyroid gland to enlarge.
- Hashimoto's Disease. The low production of hormones in Hashimoto's disease causes the pituitary gland to overproduce hormones that stimulate the thyroid gland. This is what makes the thyroid gland enlarged.
- Thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer can cause swelling on one side of the thyroid gland.
- Pregnancy. HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) that the body produces during pregnancy can cause an enlarged thyroid gland.
- Smoke. Goiter can be caused by smoking. This is related to the thiocyanate content in cigarettes, which can affect the body's ability to absorb iodine.
FactorMumps Disease Risk
Goiter can be experienced by anyone. However, the following factors make a person more at risk of developing mumps:
- 40 years and over
- Female gender
- Taking lithium or amiodarone obat
- Have you ever had radiotherapy to the neck or chest?
- Have had an autoimmune disease, or have a family member with an autoimmune disease.
- During puberty and menopause.
SymptomMumps
The main symptom of goiter is the appearance of a lump in the neck. However, not everyone is aware of the appearance of these lumps, especially if they are small and do not cause changes in thyroid hormone levels.
In some patients, a lump in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland can be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Difficult to breathe
- Hoarse voice and cough
- Pain in the neck area.
In addition to the appearance of a lump in the neck, goiter can cause changes in thyroid hormone levels in the blood. An increase in thyroid hormone will cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and conversely, a decrease in thyroid hormone levels will cause symptoms of hypothyroidism. However, thyroid hormone levels can also remain normal, so it does not cause complaints.
If you have a goiter, especially if it causes changes in thyroid hormone levels, be aware of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Weak
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Excessive sweating or feeling cold
- Weight gain or loss drastically
- Hard to breathe
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis of Mumps
Goiter will be seen as a lump in the neck. The doctor will feel the patient's neck and ask the patient to swallow, to confirm that the lump is a thyroid gland. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform further examinations in the form of:
- Thyroid ultrasound. An ultrasound examination of the thyroid is done to determine the size of the goiter and see if there are other lumps that cannot be palpated or visible from the outside.
- Hormone checks. The examination is done to see changes in thyroid hormone levels in the form of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and TSH hormones that affect the thyroid gland.
- Nuclear check. This scan is done by first injecting a radioactive substance into a vein. Then, a special camera will be used to take pictures of the thyroid. In this way, the size and location of the goiter can be seen more clearly.
- Biopsy. A biopsy is done by taking a sample of tissue or fluid from the thyroid gland, for later examination in a laboratory.
Mumps Treatment
Treatment methods for goiter vary, depending on the size of the lump, thyroid hormone levels, symptoms experienced, and the underlying cause. In small lumps that do not cause symptoms, treatment is not necessary. However, the doctor will continue to monitor the progress of the patient's condition.
For patients who are deficient in iodine, doctors will recommend adequate intake of iodine, which is 150 micrograms per day. Iodine intake can be obtained from foods that are high in iodine, such as sea fish, shellfish, shrimp and seaweed, or iodized salt.
Even so, do not eat foods that contain iodine in excess. As previously explained, excess iodine can also trigger a goiter. Therefore, you should seek advice from a doctor in fulfilling iodine intake.
In general, goiter can be treated in the following ways:
- Levothyroxine. This drug is used to treat goiter with low thyroid hormone levels.
- Antithyroid drugs (eg propylthiouracil or methimazole). This drug is given to goiter with high thyroid hormone levels.
- Thyroid removal surgery. If the goiter is large enough to cause difficulty in breathing and make it difficult for the patient to swallow, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of the thyroid (thyroidectomy). This surgical procedure aims to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. Surgery is also recommended if the goiter is caused by thyroid cancer.
- Thyroid nuclear therapy. Nuclear therapy destroys thyroid cells, reducing the size of the goiter. However, this method can cause hypothyroidism, so it is necessary to give additional hormones from the outside (hormone therapy).
Complications of Mumps
If not treated properly, a goiter can cause the following complications, especially if the goiter is large enough:
- Lymphoma
- Bleeding
- Thyroid cancer
- Sepsis.