Thyroid, Salivary Gland & Sialendoscopy Conditions

Thyroid, Salivary Gland & Sialendoscopy Conditions

Thyroid, Salivary Gland & Sialendoscopy Procedures

Thyroid, Salivary Gland & Sialendoscopy Procedures

Thyroid

What is Thyroid?

 The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck responsible to produce thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland influences many metabolic processes in our body. It controls several activities in the body including how fast our heartbeats and how fast our body burns calories. Depending on how much or how little the hormone is produced, you may often feel restless or tired.

Thyroid disorders can be due to :

  1. Disorder of Function, which are types of thyroid problems that arise when the thyroid produces too much or not enough hormones. Women are more likely to suffer from thyroid disease than in men. According to studies, one in eight women develops thyroid problems during their lifetime.
  2. Disorder of Structure, which can range from a small lump, multiple lumps to life-threatening thyroid cancer.

Types of Conditions affecting the Thyroid Gland

Goitre: Goitre (or goiter) is a diffuse thyroid swelling that causes a lump in the front of the neck. A goiter is usually a harmless thyroid condition caused due to iodine deficiency or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Thyroid Nodule: A thyroid nodule is a small abnormal lumpur fluid-filled cyst that forms within your thyroid gland. These may be a single lump (solitary nodule ) or multiple nodules (multinodular goitre) . While these are often benign, some of them may be due to malignancy and need to be ruled out.

Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer is a condition in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. This usually presents as a lump or nodule in the thyroid gland. Females are more commonly affected, and the function of the gland may not necessarily be altered. The cancers are classified based on microscopic studies (FNAC). Early detection and treatment by our ENT Head Neck Surgeon allows early intervention and better prognosis. This is usually treatable via surgery, radiation or hormonal treatments or a combination of these.

Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough crucial hormones. It is also known as underactive thyroid disease. Common symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland are generalised tiredness, loss of interest in daily activity, dry skin, constipation, intolerance to cold temperature, weight gain, menstrual irregularities This may also be caused due to autoimmune disease.

Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormone. It is generally caused by overactive thyroid nodule or Graves disease. Commonly patients complain of shaky feeling of hands and feet, anxiety, increased heartbeat, intolerance to heat, excessive sweating of palms/feet, unexplained weight loss.

Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis is general terms that refer to as a painful inflammation of the thyroid gland. There are several types of thyroiditis and their treatment is different. Viral infection or autoimmune condition (Hashimoto thyroiditis) are two main factors causing thyroiditis.

Thyroid Storm: It is a rare form of hyperthyroidism causing extreme production of thyroid hormone levels. It occurs in the thyroid gland in cases of untreated thyrotoxicosis.

Graves Disease: It is an autoimmune condition that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

Here are some common symptoms of thyroid problems in both men and women:

  1. Swelling in the neck
  2. Hoarseness or change in the quality of voice
  3. Difficulty in swallowing
  4. Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
  5. Sudden weight loss or weight gain
  6. Palpitations or change in heart rate
  7. Dry and flaky skin
  8. Muscle soreness and pain
  9. Hair loss and brittle nails

Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease

Our ENT surgeons work closely with the Endocrinologists in the management of Thyroid diseases. The team of thyroid doctors studies the symptoms, signs, and considers blood tests to check for the possibility of an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. This helps identify the cause and level of severity of thyroid disorder and the need for any medication.

At Adventis Clinic we facilitate top modern thyroid tests in Delhi to check how well your thyroid gland works and to find the cause of problems like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Here are a few important tests for thyroid our doctor may suggest depending on your condition :

  • Blood tests : TSH Test ; T4 Test; T3 Test ; Thyroid Antibody Tests
    Imaging : Ultrasound Of the thyroid and neck; Thyroid scan using Radioactive iodine uptake study . CT scan of the Neck
  • Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC ): In cases of a nodule or selling , we may advise an FNAC ( this is usually USG guided ) to get an idea of the cells in the nodule and understand the microscopic structure.
  • Fiberoptic Endoscopic evaluation of the Voice box and Vocal cords: This is done to evaluate the functioning of the vocal cords

Treatment for Thyroid Disease

Treatment for thyroid disease depends on the condition and diagnosis based on clinical evaluation and the findings of the tests.

Medicine

The choice of medication for thyroid disease depends on whether the gland is underactive or overactive. In hyperthyroidism, medication is used to regulate excess hormone production. In hypothyroidism, thyroid supplements are used to make up for the deficiency in thyroid hormone levels. The Endocrinologist will advise you based on the diagnosis.

Radioactive Iodine Treatment

The thyroid gland absorbs nearly all of the body iodine. The radioactive iodine therapy repairs the tissue and destroys cells causing overactive thyroid hormone production. The treatment is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or patients with severe eye conditions.

Surgery

In some cases of nodules or a thyroid mass or suspicion of cancer, surgery may be advised. Thyroidectomy is the surgical procedure to remove all or a part of the thyroid gland. It is also known as thyroid removal surgery.
This may be advised for cosmetic reasons, to remove hyperfunctioning nodules or mass, to remove proven or suspected cancer.

Depending on the nature of the condition, our ENT and Head Neck Surgeon will discuss the type of Thyroidectomy surgery that would be appropriate for that patient.

Are you ready to get back to normal with treatment for thyroid? Find the best thyroid doctor in Delhi at Adventis ENT & Cochlear Implant Clinic. Book your appointment at www.adventis.in or call us at +91- 9654518169.

Also, read about: 5 Throat Cancer Signs and Symptoms

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