January is considered Thyroid Awareness Month. The month of January 2024 is mainly dedicated to focusing on thyroid problems and the importance of thyroid health. We all know that living with thyroid is quite a difficult task. Also, it has been noted that the majority of thyroid patients have been advised by their endocrinologist doctor to continue with thyroid medicines throughout their life. In such a case, it is important to bring awareness to how to live with thyroid and battle it out successfully.
Let us take a pledge to begin this month of January 2024 on thyroid health by boosting metabolism to achieve a healthy endocrine system.
The theme of the Thyroid Awareness Month – January 2024
The theme for the Thyroid Awareness Month – January 2024 is “ Nurturing Thyroid Health: Knowledge, Detection and Wellness.” Nurturing thyroid health is very important for a healthy metabolism to digest and assimilate food in the right manner. This helps in weight management too. With this, let’s begin January 2024 on a positive note to stay fit and healthy all throughout the month.
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system which is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It is a gland that releases thyroid hormones to boost the metabolism of the body.
Wondering what metabolism is? Well, metabolism is the power to convert food into energy which helps you stay fit. Excited to know more about thyroid? Let us jump into the next part of the article which is the functions of the thyroid gland.
Functions of the thyroid gland
The functions of the thyroid gland are as follows-
- Boost the metabolism of the body
- Helps stimulate energy and fuel levels for proper functioning
- Helps in releasing happy hormones to stay relaxed
- Helps in controlling stress hormones
- Helps lose weight naturally by boosting the metabolism
- Helps boost mental activity
- Helps in glowing skin by avoiding skin dryness
- Prevents hair fall
- Helps in digestion and assimilation by improving gut health
- Maintains healthy bone and muscle mass by preventing fat loss
Incidence of thyroid problems
As per research, it has been confirmed that 43 million people suffer from thyroid issues in India which is detected through routine check-ups. According to the American Thyroid Association, 3 in 10 people suffer from thyroid disorder.
Thyroid issues are commonly seen in women as they are hormone-sensitive. Yes, women are highly prone to stress which causes immediate fluctuation of hormones in the body. 2 in 8 women have developed thyroid disorder once in their lifetime.
Yup! Thyroid problem seems quite a common issue across the nation and around the world. The main reason behind this is that thyroid is a common lifestyle disorder that must be addressed at the initial stage.
Thyroid issues that you must know
The common thyroid issues are as follows-
Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism
Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism results in hypersecretion of thyroid-stimulating hormones causing slowness of all functions of the body. This results in weight gain, reduced gut movement, constipation, dryness of skin, hair loss, fatigue, slow mental activity, depression, low mood, and irregular menstrual cycle.
Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism results in hyposecretion of thyroid stimulating hormones causing hyperactivity of all functions of the body. This results in weight loss, increased gut movement, diarrhea, oily skin, anxiety, restlessness, and hyperactivity.
Causes of thyroid issues
The main causes of thyroid problems are –
- Aging which causes changes in metabolism
- Unhealthy diet which leads to obesity
- High-stress levels cause inflammation
- Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle
- Genetics
- Having comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension
- Long term medications
Symptoms of thyroid problems
The symptoms of thyroid problems are as follows-
- Swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland
- Fast heart rate, nervousness, or palpitations
- Twitching and trembling
- Warm skin and excessive sweating
- Changes in gut movements like constipation or diarrhea
- Changes in sleep cycle, disturbed sleep, excessive sleepiness
- Changes in appetite with hunger pangs and no desire to eat
- Thinning of hair, hair loss
- Mood swings or disturbances
- Extreme kin changes like excessively oily or dry skin
Thyroid treatment
The first line of thyroid treatment is –
- Medications like Thyronorm, Eltrocin, or thyroxine
- Surgery in case of excessive swelling or complications
Why is thyroid health important?
Thyroid health matters a lot. Just simple lifestyle changes can make a lot of difference in the overall well-being of the patient. Making the right choices in your diet, exercise, routine, and stress management along with sleeping habits can give a boost to your hormone levels. So, take the initiative with lifestyle changes towards a healthy journey for a better life.
Is thyroid issues a life-long problem?
“Is thyroid issue a life-long problem?”- This is a common question that has been asked by many thyroid patients. Thinking about thyroid being a lifelong problem, the majority of the patients tend to avoid visiting an endocrinologist or even getting their blood test done. It is important to get your routine blood check-up done regularly to prevent and manage the thyroid in the right manner.
To those wondering about thyroid issues being a lifelong problem, here is the good news- Thyroid is not a lifelong issue. The thyroid medication can be controlled, managed, and tapered with effective lifestyle changes.
Let us hop, skip, and jump to learn more about lifestyle changes for thyroid patients in the next part of the article.
Lifestyle changes for thyroid issues
Here are some of the lifestyle changes for thyroid issues which are as follows-
- Maintain balanced diet
- Monitor iodine intake
- Manage stress
- Limit exposure to toxins
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Limit caffeine intake
- Avoid crash diets and self-medications
- Follow regular exercise
- Practice mindful breathing, yoga, and meditation
- Listen to your body
- Seek professional guidance
- Prioritize sleep
- Be consistent
- Hydration is the key
- Awareness about thyroid is must
Thyroid Awareness Month – January 2024 is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness not only among thyroid patients but also among youngsters to keep their thyroid at bay for a healthier and fitter India! This is marked as a global date to promote public health efforts to raise awareness about all the problems and complications related to thyroid.