Georgia health e-update, Jan. 2011

January 2011 Newsletter

January is Thyroid Awareness Month
January isn't just a time for making New Year's resolutions, it's also a time to check your neck during Thyroid Awareness Month. Surprisingly, as many as 59 million Americans have thyroid problems, but the majority are unaware they suffer from the condition.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland found just below the Adam's apple. It makes thyroid hormones, which are chemicals that affect the function of many of the body's organs including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. If your thyroid is not working properly, neither are you!
If you suspect you may have a thyroid problem, call your doctor and schedule an appointment today!
Click on the Wellcast icon to the right to learn more.

Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of important hormones. Women, especially those older than age 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

Symptoms:



Fatigue



Sluggishness



Increased sensitivity to cold



Constipation



Pale, dry skin



A puffy face



Hoarse voice



An elevated blood cholesterol level



Unexplained weight gain



Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness



Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints



Muscle weakness



Heavier than normal menstrual periods



Brittle fingernails and hair



Depression

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can significantly accelerate your body's metabolism, causing sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability.

Several treatment options are available if you have hyperthyroidism. Doctors use anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine to slow the production of thyroid hormones. Sometimes, treatment of hyperthyroidism involves

surgery to remove part of your thyroid gland. Although hyperthyroidism can be serious if you ignore it, most people respond well once hyperthyroidism is diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms:



Sudden weight loss, even when your appetite and diet remain normal or even increase



Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) -- commonly more than 100 beats a minute -- irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or

pounding of your heart (palpitations)



Increased appetite



Nervousness, anxiety and irritability



Tremor -- usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers



Sweating



Changes in menstrual patterns



Increased sensitivity to heat



Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements



An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck



Fatigue, muscle weakness



Difficulty sleeping

For more information about hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, visit georgiahealthinfo.gov.