According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 188 million people in the world are not getting enough iodine in their diet. It also includes 24.1 crore school children. All of these people are at risk of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD). It can lead to problems like goiter and hypothyroidism.
According to the Office of the Salt Commissioner of India, more than 20 crore people in the country are at risk of Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). More than 7 crore people suffer from iodine deficiency goiter and other deficiencies.
Iodine is a trace mineral, that is, a mineral that the body needs in very small amounts. Despite this, it plays an important role in keeping our body healthy. Iodine deficiency can increase the risk of IDD. When this happens, the body gives signals like mood swings and irritability. It is important to recognize this.
That's why today' Health water In ' we will talk about iodine. You will also know that-
- What are the symptoms when it is deficient?
- What complications can occur due to iodine deficiency?
- How can we save ourselves from poverty?
Can goiter symptoms worsen in winter? Winter has nothing to do with iodine deficiency, but symptoms of iodine deficiency diseases can increase during this season. In fact, increasing cold affects the function of the thyroid gland, which can make goiter symptoms more severe.
How to identify iodine deficiency? Endochronologist Dr. Saket Kant says that, our body gives some signals for help in every problem. Many times we do not recognize it or these symptoms are so common that we ignore them. In such cases the problem becomes bigger. Then treatment becomes more difficult.
If these signs appear, consult a doctor
- If the eyes and face swell and do not go away after several days, it may mean that the thyroid is having trouble working due to iodine deficiency. Due to low iodine content, the fluid balance of the body is disturbed. Due to which the eyes and face get swollen.
- If the throat becomes hoarse frequently or a lump appears in the throat, these may be symptoms of goiter. In this, the thyroid gland becomes swollen, which looks like a tumor and the voice changes. It is a sign of iodine deficiency. Consult a doctor immediately.
- If you often feel that your heart rate is slowing down, it may be due to iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland plays a major role in maintaining the heartbeat. If the thyroid gland is affected due to iodine deficiency, it will also affect the heart rate. If such symptoms appear, a doctor should be consulted.
- If unnecessary mood swings and irritability are experienced, it may be a sign of iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency causes instability in brain chemicals. If this happens, consult a doctor.
- If your hands and feet suddenly start to tingle or go numb while sitting, it could be due to iodine deficiency. In fact, due to low thyroid hormone, nerve function becomes impaired. That is why symptoms like tingling appear. If this happens, consult a doctor.
- Iodine deficiency can cause irregular periods in women. Menstrual flow can be excessive. There may also be problems in conceiving. Thyroid hormones play an important role in reproductive health. If this happens, consult a doctor.
These complications can occur due to iodine deficiency If there is a severe lack of iodine in the diet, the body cannot make enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to many difficulties. Serious risks can arise, especially during pregnancy. See the graphic below to see the risks this can pose:
Some common questions and answers regarding iodine deficiency
Question: What is the treatment for iodine deficiency?
Answer: Doctors usually treat iodine deficiency with iodine supplements. If there is a deficiency for a long time, the body may also have a deficiency of thyroid hormones. Therefore, doctors may also advise taking thyroid hormone supplements. If a child is born with iodine deficiency, it can be treated with thyroid hormone supplements. If the child's condition is more severe, he may need to take thyroid hormone supplements for life.
Question: What can happen if a person is deficient in iodine?
Answer: If a person is deficient in iodine, it can be compensated through food or supplements. It will gradually reduce the symptoms related to iodine deficiency.
Iodine deficiency can have serious consequences if detected late. If a woman is pregnant, iodine deficiency can affect the physical and mental development of the child. In some such cases it has been observed that babies are stillborn. To avoid its serious effects, it is important to get enough iodine through food or supplements.
Question: How much iodine should be taken daily? Answer: Each person needs different amounts of iodine per day depending on their age. Adults should get 150 micrograms of iodine per day. If a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding, she needs about 250 micrograms of iodine per day. For this, prenatal vitamin supplements can be taken. It provides 250 micrograms of essential iodine per day. However, not all prenatal vitamins contain iodine. So, read the nutrient chart on the bottle.
Question: How can we avoid iodine deficiency?
Question: The best way to do this is to eat foods that provide the iodine we need every day. These items contain iodine:
- Dairy products like milk, curd, butter, cheese and cheese
- egg
- Tuna fish (sea fish)
Iodized salt is also a good and effective way to prevent iodine deficiency. So iodized salt should be used in cooking and eating.
If a person relies on processed foods for their diet, they may need to take supplements for iodine because most processed foods do not use iodized salt.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
