Goiter and its Treatment

What is Goiter?
Goiter is a serious problem among the less developed countries today it was identified as the top health priority in the 90’s.”Goiter is the disease of the thyroid gland characterized by an enlargement of the gland visible externally as a swelling on the front neck. In simple goiter basal metabolic rate is somewhat lowered and in the toxic goiter it is elevated (Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia, 1979).
Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland it causes a prominent swelling in front of the neck. The thyroid normally weights 0.5 to 0.9oz (15 to 25g) however, goitrous thyroid glands can grow to more than 2lbs (1,000g). A large goiter may interface with breathing and swallowing. Endomic goiter is the most common due to lack of iodine in the body, which causes reduction in thyroid hormone synthesis. As a result, there is an increase in secretion of the interior pituary hormone thyrotropin. Thyrotropin not only stimulates thyroid hormone production but also causes an increases size and number of cells in the thyroid. Advances cases are treated with thyroid hormone or with surgical removal of the thyroid if it obstructs breathing (www.Google.com, 2008).

What is the History of Goiter?
Paracelsus (born Philippus Aureolus Theophastus Bombastus Von Hohshien) (1493-1541) was the first to describe the connection between goiter and the consumption of minerals, specifically lead in drinking water. According to Paracelsus goiter is previously common in many areas that were deficient in iodine in the soil. For example, in the English Midlands, the condition was known as Derby Shire Neck. In the U.S goiter was found in great lakes, Midwest and Intermountain regions. The condition now is practically absent in affluent nation where tablesalt is supplemented with iodine. However, it is still prevalent in India, Central Asia and Central Africa (www.Google.com, 2008).

What are the Causes of Goiter?
Iodine deficiency disorder causes goiter and decreases the production of hormone cited to growth and developed. People with iodine deficiency disorder can grow apathetic, mentally retarded and incapable of normal movement, speech or hearing. Iodine deficiency disorder in pregnant women can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and mental retardation of infants (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2000).
Some other causes of goiter are Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves disease, side effects of pharmacological therapy, thyroid cancer and iodine deficiency disorder (www.Answer.com, 2008).

How to Treat or Manage Goiter?
The treatment for goiter may not be necessary if the goiter is small. Enlargement of the thyroid gland can be treated and this treatment often leads to reduce the size of the goiter. Removal of goiter may be necessary if it causes difficulty in breathing or swallowing. Today, there is now an alternative way to reduce the size of large goiter. Radioiodine therapy even with or without the pre-injection of a synthetic thyroid-stimulating hormone it can relieve difficulty in breathing or swallowing and it can reduce the size of the goiter by 30-65%(American Journal of Nursing, 2002).
To treat goiter all that one needed is an adequate supply of iodine in the food that one eats each day. This will prevent the thyroid to enlarge.


How is Goiter Prevented?
According to Anderson, Clifford (1966) goiter is one disease that can be prevented. Iodized salt is one excellent way to prevent goiter. It’s necessary to remove the enlarge gland to prevent pressure within the neck. Surgery must be considered if goiter is suspected for cosmetic reasons most surgeons will not hesitate to remove the ugly tumor in the neck.
Goiter is cause by iodine deficiency disorder. In addition to goiter iodine toxicity produces ulcers on the skin. This condition has been called “kelp acne” because of its association with eating kelp, an ocean plant which contains of high levels of iodine. Iodine deficiency toxicity occurs in Japan, where large amount of seaweed are consumed. Iron toxicity is not uncommon, because of the wide distribution of iron pills (Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia, 1979)
To prevent goiter many people are using iodized salt because it is affordable and effective. Surgery sometimes can cause side-effects and very expensive. But iodized salt cannot be stored in the body for a long period of time. Take amounts regularly is needed to reduce the size of goiter. Iodized salt is rich in iodine and it can reduce the size of goiter if it takes regularly.

Conclusion
Therefore, I conclude that goiter is the disease of the thyroid gland characterized by an enlargement of the gland visible externally as the swelling in front of the neck. The most common causes of goiter are the lack of iodine in the body because it decreases the production of hormone cited to growth and development. In order to treat goiter iodized salt is the best way because iodized salt is rich in iron and affordable unlike the surgery. One must take iodized salt regularly because iodized salt cannot be stored in our body for a long period of time. Radioiodine is another way to treat goiter because with or without the pre-injection of the thyroid-stimulating hormone it can relieve obstruction and reduce the size of the goiter.