Actor Arjun Kapoor has recently spoken about his Hashimoto's disease. He has told how the disease can create difficulties for his life and career. Indeed, the acting profession demands that you should always be fit and healthy. But the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's causes hypothyroidism. Due to which the weight increases rapidly. One has to work hard to maintain fitness in such a condition.
Hashimoto's is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Because of this, the thyroid hormone starts to be produced less than the body needs. Due to which many parts of the body are affected. As a result, symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain and constipation appear. Hashimoto's symptoms can be controlled with medication.
According to a study published in Research Gate, 7.5% of people worldwide are facing the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's. About 11% people in India are facing this disease.
So, today' Health water In ' we will talk about the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's. You will also learn that-
- What is Hashimoto's disease?
- How does it affect our body?
- What are its symptoms?
- What is its treatment?
What is Hashimoto's? It is an autoimmune condition, in which our immune system attacks the body's healthy cells. This disease mostly affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is responsible for many functions of the body. This affects our metabolism, brain, heart and blood pressure and can also lead to weight gain. Overall, this can lead to conditions, which can also increase the risk of many other diseases.
Dr. Abhinav Gupta says that if someone in India has a hypothyroid problem, instead of finding the cause, doctors start treating the thyroid itself. While in many cases it can also cause Hashimoto's disease.
According to the National Library of Medicine, people who live in land areas have a higher risk of Hashimoto's than others who live near the ocean. If symptoms of this disease appear along with a thyroid problem, you can talk to a doctor to get a diagnosis of Hashimoto's.
Are Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism the same? No, both have different positions. Even in hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland reduces production of thyroid hormone, but it is not an autoimmune condition. While Hashimoto's is more serious as it is an autoimmune disease. Hashimoto's can also cause hypothyroidism, but sometimes the condition can occur without this cause.
What are the symptoms of Hashimoto's? Some people have no symptoms in the early days of Hashimoto's disease. But as the condition becomes serious, many symptoms start appearing. Sometimes the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. This condition is called goiter. A goiter is usually the first symptom of Hashimoto's disease.
It usually does not hurt. Due to this swelling is felt in the lower part of the neck. It can also cause constipation. Drowsiness increases and excessive sleep occurs. What are its other features, see in the graphic:
Why does Hashimoto's disease occur? It is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells and organs. In this disease, antibodies attack the thyroid gland. Studies conducted so far have not been able to find out why the antibodies attack the thyroid, but some doctors and scientists believe that it may be due to genetic reasons.
The risk of Hashimoto's disease increases if a person is suffering from any auto immune disease. See graphic:
What are the risk factors for Hashimoto's? Dr. Abhinav Gupta says that family history is a major factor in Hashimoto's disease. Apart from this, the risk of this disease for women is many times higher than that of men. Its risk may increase with increasing age, understand in detail:
Family history is a big reason: According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the chance of developing Hashimoto's is about 80% higher for genetic reasons. A person's risk of developing the disease increases if any member of their biological family has Hashimoto's disease or thyroid problems.
Women are at greater risk for: Women are 10 times more likely to develop Hashimoto's disease than men. Dr. Abhinav Gupta says that this may be due to sex hormones.
Risk increases with age: The risk of developing Hashimoto's and thyroid also increases with age.
What effect does Hashimoto's have on the body?
Hashimoto's affects the thyroid and metabolism the most. Due to which digestive problems also increase. Therefore, the patient needs lifelong treatment as well as care.
If a person has Hashimoto's disease and does not receive timely treatment, he may face many other health problems. See graphic:
What is the treatment for Hashimoto's? Most people with Hashimoto's disease require treatment. If the disease is in the early stages and the thyroid is functioning normally, the doctor may keep the patient under observation without any treatment.
Medication is needed if the thyroid is not producing enough hormones. In such cases, doctors prescribe the synthetic hormone levothyroxine. Sometimes some side effects may also appear.
Consult a doctor if you experience these side effects due to levothyroxine:
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- In case of irregularity in heart rate
- If you are losing weight suddenly
- When the body trembles
- When feeling nervous, anxious or irritable
- Increased sensitivity to heat or sweating more than usual
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
