Goiter: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Description of the disease

Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by various factors such as iodine deficiency, inflammation, tumors, and other disorders.

Classification

• Diffuse goiter
• Nodular goiter
• Mixed goiter

Symptoms

Symptoms of goiter may include enlargement of the thyroid gland, difficulty swallowing, feeling of a lump in the throat, voice changes, fatigue.

Causes

The causes of goiter may be related to iodine deficiency in the diet, genetic factors, inflammatory processes, thyroid tumors.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of goiter includes ultrasound examination, fine needle aspiration, thyroid hormone level analysis.

Treatment

Treatment of goiter may include taking iodine-containing preparations, surgical intervention, medication therapy.

Prevention

Prevention of goiter is based on proper nutrition with sufficient iodine intake, use of iodized salt, and seeking medical attention at the first signs of the disease.

Doctor

Goiter is treated by an endocrinologist.