Definition:
Goiter, or the enlargement of the thyroid gland, is a condition more common in women and older adults. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland weighing less than an ounce, located just below the Adam's apple.
Diagnosis:
The degree of gland enlargement can be determined by the doctor by examining the neck. Other diagnostic test may include a hormone test, antibody test, ultrasonography, and a thyroid scan.
Treatment:
If it's causing symptoms, that's the only time that goiter has to be treated. Treatment may include using radioactive iodine to shrink the gland, surgery or thyroidectomy to remove parts or the entire gland, and small doses of Lugol's iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to iodine inefficiency.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of an enlarged thyroid include swelling of the neck, a tight feeling in the throat, coughing, difficulty in swallowing, and difficulty in breathing. Other underlying causes of the condition may also result to several signs and symptoms.
Causes:
Simple goiter is either endemic or sporadic. An endemic goiter occurs within groups of people living in geographical areas with iodine-depleted soil, regions that are usually away for the seacoast. Inadequate iodine in the diet is mainly the cause, which is still common in central Asia, the Andes region of South America, and central America.
The cause for sporadic goiter meanwhile is unknown. In some cases, nontoxic goiter may be caused by medications such as lithium or aminogluthimide.
Goiters may also be caused by hereditary factors.
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