The thyroid gland, commonly known as the butterfly gland, is often overlooked. Yes, people rarely give importance to the health of the thyroid gland, but it does a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure your overall health. Thyroid disease is alarmingly common worldwide.
Although thyroid disease is quite common and easily seen, many people don’t know what it is. Simply put, thyroid disease is a medical condition affecting the function of the thyroid gland. Therefore, it is essential to take effective measures to reduce the chances of abnormal hormone secretion and better understand its types to deal with the disease in its early stages. So let’s explore the different types of thyroid disorders!
Goitre
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It can be due to iodine deficiency, and in rare cases it can cause airway compression, difficulty swallowing, or compression of vessels due to structural abnormalities.
Thyroid nodules or tumors
Thyroid nodules can be benign or cancerous and have several symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
It occurs when there is a prolonged iodine deficiency or due to the presence of small nodule-like elements in the old gland. In rare cases, the nodules grow larger, causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
Graves disease
Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. In this condition, the thyroid gland produces an excess of hormones responsible for regulating metabolism, leading to serious complications.
Hashimoto’s disease
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
This can cause the gland to be unable to produce the hormones needed to regulate metabolism, leading to hypothyroidism. Although it can affect people of all ages, Hashimoto’s disease is more common in middle-aged women.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a rare type that occurs when the initial thyroid problems are left untreated. There are different types of thyroid cancer, including anaplastic thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, and thyroid lymphoma.
Best Ways to Ensure a Healthy Thyroid
Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. However, there are a few natural tricks to improve thyroid function and health. Some of them are:
Exercise
According to various studies, exercising regularly has many benefits, including the secretion of thyroid hormones. Specifically, exercising at least three times a week for 30-40 minutes has been shown to help regulate thyroid production and counteract various side effects caused by hypothyroidism.
Balanced diet
Try to eat a nutritious, balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes to support thyroid function.
Increase intake of thyroid supporting minerals
Iodine deficiency is the main cause of hypothyroidism. Selenium and zinc may also support thyroid health. Increasing the intake of these minerals from dairy products, eggs, seafood, brown rice, legumes, almonds and pumpkin seeds is essential for maintaining gland health.
Vitamin D
To ensure that the thyroid is in optimal condition, focus on consuming vitamin D-rich foods such as salmon, tuna, egg yolks, and dairy products.
Limit exposure to toxins
Reduce your exposure to toxins by quitting smoking, purifying your drinking water and selecting organic food sources. Toxins like mercury, pesticides, chlorine, and fluoride can damage your glands, suppress hormone production, and prevent them from working properly.
Note from The Fitness Freak
Iodine is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. If you don’t get enough iodine in your diet, your body can’t make enough thyroid hormones, which can lead to thyroid disorders. To get enough iodine, eat foods such as spinach, seafood, eggs, etc.
Conclusion
A sedentary lifestyle and a stressful work culture have put a lot of pressure on the thyroid gland, affecting almost every person differently. It is rare to prevent the onset of thyroid disorders.
However, additional complications of different thyroid disorders can be avoided by diagnosing the condition early and sticking to the proper treatment plan.
Also, being aware of thyroid conditions and following the right lifestyle will help you improve your thyroid health and lead a normal life.
