| Goiter is the swelling of the thyroid gland which | | | | Columbia Univer¬sity College of Physicians and |
| commonly occurs in women. It may follow the | | | | Surgeons, in “The Colum¬bia Encyclopedia of |
| development of benign nodules or in rare cases may | | | | Nutrition.” |
| be triggered by benign or malignant tumors or an iodine | | | | If you feel hot in spite of the cold weather, you could |
| deficiency. Some people develop goiter as a result of | | | | be suffering from hyperthyroidism or the over activity |
| taking certain drugs, especially those that are used to | | | | of the thyroid gland that may also be ac¬companied |
| treat manic-depressive states and diabetes. | | | | by goiter. This condition is also known as exophthalmic |
| Simple goiter is caused by an iodine deficiency which is | | | | goiter because it is characterized by pro¬truding or |
| common in those who live far from the sea. Iodine is | | | | bulging eyes. |
| required for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. | | | | “The affected person tires easily, complains of the |
| This can easily be obtained from io¬dized salt, | | | | heat, is physically and mentally overactive, and shows |
| seafood, milk and kelp. When a person lacks iodine, the | | | | a fine tremor of outstretched fingers. The symptoms |
| thyroid gland has to work harder to continu¬ously | | | | are due to an oversecretion of the thyroid hormone |
| produce a hormone that the body needs to func¬tion | | | | and are similar to those of thyroid overdosage. Other |
| properly. In the process, the gland gets bigger and | | | | symp¬toms include excessive sweating, weakness, |
| that's how goiter begins. | | | | muscular wasting, morbid apprehensiveness, frequent |
| If the enlarged thyroid gland produces an extra | | | | bowel movements, and rapid and irregular heartbeats," |
| hormone to make up for the shortage of iodine, the | | | | ex¬plained the late Dr. Morris Rshbein, the former |
| goiter is called "toxic." A "nontoxic" goiter means no | | | | editor of the Journal of the American Medical |
| extra hormone is being made. Aside from the enlarged | | | | Association, in his “Popular Illustrated Medical |
| gland, other symptoms of simple goiter are dry thick | | | | Encylopedia.” |
| skin, retarded growth, deafness and lethargy. | | | | Depending on your condition, age, and the size of the |
| Obviously, the best way to prevent this problem is by | | | | thyroid itself, goiter may be treated either with drugs to |
| taking iodine-rich foods. But sometimes, even if a | | | | shrink the thyroid gland, radioactive iodine or surgery. |
| person gets enough iodine from his diet, he or she may | | | | Discuss these options with the doctor for each has its |
| still develop goiter. This is because certain foods may | | | | own advantages and disad¬vantages. Surgery is |
| actu¬ally prevent the thyroid gland from using the | | | | usually offered as a last resort when other measures |
| iodine. Foods which interfere with the body's ability to | | | | have failed or if the patient is unable to benefit from |
| manufacture the thyroid hormone contain substances | | | | the above options. |
| called "goitrogens." | | | | "Patients sometimes want the excess goiter tissue |
| "These include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, | | | | removed for cosmetic reasons. Also, the goiter may |
| cauliflower, peaches, peas, soy beans, spinach and | | | | have to be excised if it becomes so large as to |
| turnips. If eaten in large quantities regularly, these can | | | | compress nearby structures, causing coughing, |
| cause iodine deficiency. This is characterized by an | | | | hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing. But remember |
| enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) and sluggish | | | | a goiter is rarely malignant. You should have it |
| metabo¬lism - tending to cause weight gain. A | | | | operated on only if its appearance disturbs you, if you |
| deficiency dur¬ing pregnancy can cause fetal growth | | | | suffer pressure symptoms from it or possibly because |
| retardation and mental retardation and deficiency | | | | it's toxic. If surgery is recommended, ask for a second |
| during childhood can cause growth stunting. Cooking | | | | opinion from an endocrinologist," said Dr. Isadore |
| goitrogenic-containing foods inactivate these toxic | | | | Rosenfeld of the .New York Hospital - Cornell Medical |
| substances to a great degree," according to Dr. Myron | | | | Center in “Second Opinion. |
| Winick, director of the Institute of Human Nutrition | | | | |