Health authorities reported that there is a continuous increase in goiter cases being treated at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
BGHMC medical officer Dr. Catherine Andaya said that the increase in reported goiter cases can be attributed to the detection and the increase in the patients from other regions seeking consultation in the government tertiary hospital.
She explained that goiter is an enlargement caused by nodule or nodules or the entire gland may be hypertrophied.
On the other hand, hypothyroidism is called intolerance that causes decreased sweating, weight gain, depression, irritability, constipation, irregular and heavy periods, slow heart rate, brittle nails, muscle or joint pain and puffy face while hyperthyroidism is characterized by weight loss or gain, short and light periods, increase sweating, puffy or bulging eyes, nail thickening and flaking, heat intolerance, racing heart, nervousness and anxiety, muscle weakness and diarrhea.
Among the symptoms of thyroidism include difficulty swallowing, breathing or speaking; lump in front of neck; swollen lymph nodes and hoarseness.
To replace the missing thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism and to decrease thyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism, the treatment includes radioactive ablation, surgery or the removal of cancer tissue including often the entire thyroid gland.
Andaya advised people to perform the thyroid neck check exam where one must look in the mirror focusing on the lower front area of the neck above the collar bone and below the voice box as the thyroid gland is located in the said area of the neck.
Further, while focusing on the aforesaid area in the mirror, one must tip the head back and take a drink of water and swallow.
As one swallow, he or she must look at his or her neck and check for any bulges for protrusions in the said area when swallowing.
However, she claimed that people should not confuse the Adam’s apple with the thyroid gland as the latter is located further down on the neck closer to the collar bone.
If one sees any bulge or protrusions in the said area, the medical officer reminds them to immediately visit their physician as they might have an enlarged thyroid gland or a thyroid nodule that should be checked to determine whether further evaluation is needed.
Andaya underscored that people can prevent some types of goiter by always practicing a healthy diet for them to prevent contracting the illness that might affect their health condition in the future. By Dexter A. See
