Hashimoto’s disease, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is a kind of autoimmune disease. It’s characterized by the thyroid being inappropriately attacked by the body’s immune system. This condition can be the precursor of hypothyroidism, another disease that can cause negative changes in the body.
Here are some of the most important things to know about Hashimoto’s disease.
Causes
While the exact cause of the disease is still unknown, experts point out several factors that contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s. These factors include heredity, sex hormones, excessive iodine, and radiation exposure. This condition is often associated with other autoimmune diseases like celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms
It’s often hard to detect Hashimoto’s on the onset because the symptoms are rather mild and it takes a long time to develop. The first visible sign is the goiter, an abnormal growth of the thyroid. This causes swelling on the patient’s front neck. The inflammation of the thyroid gland makes swallowing difficult.
Other common symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, low heart rate, dry skin, and hair loss or thinning. As RedRiver Health and Wellness Center and other wellness centers for Hashimoto’s in Las Vegas added, the patient may even suffer from depression.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there’s no exact cure for Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. The good news is there are ways to manage it, as with any other similar disease. Patients are provided with medicines that regulate their hormone levels to achieve normal metabolism. The medication works to replace the hormones produced by a healthy gland, and therefore alleviating the symptoms.
There are wellness centers that help patients manage their Hashimoto’s. Under their programs, patients are educated about their illness. They’re regularly checked to detect hormone levels. This helps doctors to know whether adjustments in the medication should be made.
The key to a successful management of Hashimoto’s disease is by working closely with your doctor and taking the prescribed medicine. Otherwise, the condition may worsen down the road, resulting in organ failure and other serious diseases. If you think you have the symptoms, never hesitate to seek medical help right away.
