National Thyroid Awareness Month

January is national Thyroid Awareness Month that aims to bring to the public’s attention the need to take good care of this important tiny gland in the neck.

Your thyroid helps to control a range of body systems, and when it doesn’t function properly, there can be serious ailments that result. Thyroid awareness month is designated by the Blue Paisley Ribbon and it’s helpful in ensuring that people recognize when something is wrong with their thyroid.

The Blue Paisley Ribbon was chosen because it resembles a cross section of thyroid follicles, the tiny spheres that the thyroid gland is made of.

The Thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck just below the Adams apple. Although relatively small, the thyroid gland influences the function of many of the body’s most important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. Ensuring that the thyroid gland is healthy and functioning property is important to the body’s overall well-being.

While the early symptoms of thyroid diseases may not seem dangerous, if ignored, they can result in more serious issues. Millions of people across the world are affected by thyroid diseases. The thyroid gland, located in the next, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and when it produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, it can lead to various health problems.

Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone above the normal level. It leads to increased metabolism resulting in various health issues such as weight loss or irregular heartbeats.

Hypothyroidism

Develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce the necessary amounts of thyroid hormones. It can result in abnormal weight gain, exhaustion and feeling overly chilly.

It is advised that you should follow a healthy and balanced diet followed by weekly or monthly health check-ups to stay updated with your health. To prevent this disease, doctors also ask you to avoid processed foods. Strive to have a balanced intake of iodine in your meals, as iodine imbalance can lead to thyroid issues.

There are various treatments for thyroid disease such as anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, beta blockers and surgery.

Learn more at: https://www.thyroid.org/