What is hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck just below the larynx in front of the windpipe. It is made up of two lobes at both sides of the trachea with a thin bridge between.
It secretes hormones controlling, that is mostly enhancing metabolism. These are foremost thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The substances monoiodothyronine and diiodothyronine are also made, but these are mostly intermediate products in the syntesis of thyroxine.
The thyroid hormones stimulate both the break-down of energy-rich molecules like fat and carbohydrates to yield energy for work, and the building up of proteins and other complex molecules.
Actually, thyroxine is produced first, and then triiodothyronine is produced by stripping out one iodine atom from the thyroxine molecules. This stripping is done both in the thyroid gland and in the body elsewhere. Triiodothyronine is actually the most effective hormone of the two.
By the condition called hypothyrodism (sluggish or lazy throid gland), the thyroid gland do not produce enough thyroid hormone to stimulate the metabolic processes, and these chemical processes in the body therefore slow down. Thereby fat and carbohydrates that should be broken down, remain stored, the body does not get enough energy for the daily processes, and there will be a lack of proteins and other complex molecules to be used as tools in internal processes, to build up new structures in the body, and to repair damage.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
Because of these basic effects, unsufficient production of thyroid hormones will cause a variety of symptoms and may affect all body functions. The symptoms may vary from mild to the most severe, which is called myxedema.
The earliest symptoms occuring, are directly connected to lack of energy for internal processes and external work, and to the fact that energy rich molecules remaines stored in deposits instead of being used. Symptoms occuring early because of insufficient thyroid production are:
-weakness
-Slow mental reactions and thoughts
-depression
-Slow physical reactions
-fatigue
-intolerance against cold
-constipation
-weight gain (unintentional)
-thin and brittle hair
-pale skin color
-joint or muscle pain
-thin, brittle fingernails
Later on the lack of enzymes and other complex molecules that do work in the organism, takes greater effect, causing direct function failur in various organs, imbalances like for example beginning edema in various body parts and deposits of matter that should normally be eliminated. The lack of buliding molecules also begin to have effects. Effects taken place at a somewhat later stage are:
Later on the decreased production of proteins and other building constituents take full effect, and at the same time the function failur, the deposits of fat, the deposits of waste and the edema increase even more. Late symptoms of hypothroidism are:
-overall and often extrema swelling
-muscle spasms (cramps)
-muscle pain
-muscle atrophy
-uncoordinated movement
-absent menstruation
-joint stiffness
-hair dryness
-hair loss
-facial swelling
-drowsiness
-appetite loss
If hypothyroidism occur in childrens and teens, the late effets will impair the development and growth. Prolonged hypothyroidism in children and yourth may result in:
-short stature
-separated sutures
-delayed formation of teeth
-absence of teeth
-delayed or disturbed puberty
-disturbed development of the sexual organs
There is a variant called congenital hypothyroidism that one can detect by screening tests of newborns.
The endocrine system of a human. The hypofysis (pituitary) controls the other endocrine glands, by its hormones.
The causes of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroid disease is most often caused by automimmune conditions where the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and makes it inflamed so that tissue in the thryroid gland is destroyed or impaired. When the tissues of the thyroid gland is injured in this way, it will produce too little thyroid hormones.
There are several variants of these autoimmune conditions. A frequent variant in North America is Hashimoto's thyroiditis where the immune system attacks the proteins in the gland that are tools in the production of thyroid hormones, like thyroid peroxidase or stores for thyroid hormone like thyroglobuline.
The hypothalamus (a part of the brain) and the pituitary gland regulate the secretion of T3 and T4. Abnormalities of the pituitary or hypothalamus may thus also cause thyroid secretion disorders. Failure of the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone to stimulate the thyroid gland (secondary hypothyroidism) is however a less common cause of hypothyroidism.
Other causes are congenital defects, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, irradiation of the gland, infection of the thyroid gland or various inflammatory conditions.
Risk factors include age over 50 years, female gender, obesity, thyroid surgery, and exposure of the neck to x-ray or radiation treatments.
Findings by physical examinations
A physical examination shows delayed relaxation of muscles during tests of reflexes, pale and yellow skin, loss of the outer edge of the eyebrows, thin and brittle hair, coarse facial features, brittle nails, firm swelling of arms and legs. One may note mental slowness. Vital signs symptoms are slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and low temperature.
The heart may be enlarged, which is detected by x-ray. Laboratory tests to determine thyroid function include: -T4 test (low) -s-serum TSH (high in primary hypothyroidism, low or low-normal in secondary hypothyroidism) Additional abnormalities found by laboratory workup may include:
-Increased cholesterol levels
-increased liver enzymes
-increased serum prolactin
-low serum sodium
Complications
Complications are heart disease, increased risk of infection, infertility, and miscarriage.
Myxedema coma, the most severe form of hypothyroidism, is rare. It may be caused by an infection, illness, exposure to cold, or certain medications in an individual with untreated hypothyroidism. Symptoms of myxedema coma include unresponsiveness, decreased breathing, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and below normal temperature.
Traditional treatment
The purpose of traditional treatment is to replace the deficient thyroid hormone, and not give a causative cure for hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine is the most commonly used medication. The lowest dose effective in relieving symptoms and normalizing the TSH is used. Life-long therapy is the norm and medication is thus continued even when symptoms subside. Thyroid hormone levels must be monitored yearly after a stable dose of medication is determined.
However, treatment with this medicine for hypothyroidism may result in symptoms of to much thyroid activity (hyperthyroidism), such as restlessness, rapid weight loss, and sweating, when the mediaction is not titrated to the right amount.
Myxedema coma is treated with intravenous thyroid replacement and steroid therapy. Supportive therapy of oxygen, assisted ventilation, fluid replacement, and intensive-care nursing may be indicated.
The traditional treatment against hypothyroidism restores normal state as long as one manages to titrate the medication doses to right level. When based on traditional treatment alone, the medication is lifelong since the treatmet does not, and is not meant to give a fundamental cure against hypothyroidsm.
The Health Benefits of Papaya
The Species Caruca Papaya has the biological claassification: Eucariots, Planta, Embryophyta. Magnoliophyta, Magnoliopsida, Brassicales, Caricaceae, Carica, Carica papaya
The Papaya fruit and the black seeds therin can give many strong health benefits. Some of these are best obtained from the fruit, others from the seed. Generelly one recommends eating the fruit as ripe, but some benefits are best obtained from the fruit when it is not yet ripe.
Both the ripe fruit and the black seeds within seem to have the same effect, but the effective components are probably more concentrated in the seeds. Of cource the black seeds can be eaten with the ripe fruit to get it all.
The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. Unripe fruit is recommended to be eaten boiled.
THE BASIC EFFECTS OF THE FRUIT THAT GIVE THE FURTHER BENEFITS
Ingredients in the fruit enforce the immune defence, prevent tissue degradation and injury by free radicals, ciunteract inflammation, support a healthy acid-base ballance, stimulate collagen production and tissue repair and gives better iron absorbtion.
These efeects are due to a very good content of vitamine c, beta-carotene, vitamine a, magnecun, calcium posphoros, coline and antioxidants like lycopenes, all of which work conjunted.
PAPAYA INCREASES THE SECRETION OF URINE
This diuretcal effect will help to get rid of swelling in body tissues and give ageneral cleansing effect in the body.
PAPAYA IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF THE KIDNEYS AND THE LIVER
Papaya can generally improve the health of kidneys and liver and degradation of these organs. The seeeds are said to be most eficient.
PAPAYA HELPS TO PROTECT THE SKIN AND TO IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH
The fruit improves the production of melanin, the pigment that protects the skin against damage from the sun rays. It also helps to rejuvenate the skin and generally to heal injuries in the skin.
These effects are partly due to the content of precurs for the synthesis of vitamin A, but also the anitooxidans surely give some of the effects.
HELPS TO PREVENT AND COUNTERACT CARDIOVACULAR DISEASES
Papaya helps to prevent cardivascular diseases in a general sense. It helps against the aging of cardiovascular tissue and against oxidation of cholesterole. This si due to bioflavonides like criptoxantine that scavenge noxious free radicals.
DIGESTIVE HELP AND PROTECTION FROM DIGESTIVE INFECTIONS
Papaya helps to digest proteins, and can therefore make it more easy for people with poor digestion or digestive disconfort to utilize the food. This effect may also help people that are building muscles by training. This benefit is due to the enzyme papain in the fruit.
The fruit also helps the food and stool pass better through the intestines and counteracts constipation, due to its content of fibers.
Furthermore the fruit, especially when not yet ripe, helps to protect against digestive infections and get rid of such, because it contains anti-bacterial substances.
HELPS TO PREVENT AND COUNTERACT CANCER
Papaya helps to prvent cancer and may help in the fight against a manifest cancer, and especially cancer of colon and prostate. This is dure to the content of antioxidans, like lycopenes and also die to the better digestive process in the intestines.
HELPS TO PREVENT MACULAR DEGENARATION IN THE EYES
A daily consume of papaya can help to prevent degeneration within the eyes that often occur by age. One thinks that the antioxidant zeaxantina present in the fruit filters away the ultraviolet light that can damage the eyes, but other factors surely also contribute.
PAPYA HELPS TO IMPROVE BONE HEALTH
Papaya improves the health of the bones. It helps to build up bones with calsium and proteins and helps sto prevent loss of calsium from the bones. Thereby it prevents brittle bones and bone fractures. This is partly due to the content of vitamin K.
CONSUME OF PAPAYA CAN IMPROVE MENTAL CAPACITIES
Especially ot makes you better to learn and remember things. This is partly due to the content of coline.
PAPAYA GIVES MANY OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS Daily consume of papaya helps to keep the blood sugar content under control. It also helps to prevent asthma or keep a manifest asthma under control.
SOME CAUTIONS TO REMEMBER
Papaya, especially before it is ripe contains latex compounds. One should therefore not eat the fruit before ripe, and people with latex allergy should be cautious with consuming papaya.