Thyroid disease

The thyroid is a small gland located below the skin and muscles at the front of the neck, just at the spot where a bow tie would rest. It manufactures the hormones that help control metabolism and growth.
Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t supply the proper amount of hormones needed by the body.
If the thyroid is overactive, it releases too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, resulting in Hyperthyroidism causing the body to use up energy more quickly than it should and chemical activity (metabolism) speeds up.
An under-active thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone, resulting in Hypothyroidism causing the body to use energy more slowly and chemical activity (metabolism) in the cells slow down.
In both conditions although different the thyroid can become enlarged, and this can be felt like a lump under the skin at the front of the neck. When it is large enough to see easily, it is called a goiter.
People who don’t get enough iodine in their diets also can get an enlarged thyroid.
– Hyperthyroidism can cause nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, intolerance to heat, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, a fast heartbeat, irregular menstrual periods in girls and muscle weakness. People with this problem might lose weight even though they are eating more than usual. The eyes may feel irritated or look like they are staring. Sometimes the tissue around the eyes become inflamed and swollen and the eyes appear to bulge out.
Graves disease is an autoimmune disease and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism
– A person with mild Hypothyroidism may feel just fine — in fact, the condition might cause no symptoms at all. However, symptoms can become more obvious if hypothyroidism progresses.
People with under-active thyroids might feel depressed and sluggish. They might gain weight, even though they’re not eating more or getting less exercise than usual. Teens with hypothyroidism also might have slow growth in height, slow sexual development, irregular menstrual periods in girls, muscle weakness, dry skin, hair loss, poor memory, and difficulty concentrating.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also an autoimmune disease and is the most common cause of the hypothyroidism in teens.

GOITERS AND THYROID NODULES
It can take months or years for a goiter to develop. In teens, goiters are usually caused by the autoimmune thyroid conditions discussed above, which might show no obvious symptoms until the goiter is visible as a swelling at the front of the neck. People with this problem might have the sensation that food is stuck in the throat, especially when they lie down or sleep on their backs.
A thyroid nodule is a lump or enlarged area in the thyroid gland. Sometimes a nodule can appear in a healthy gland. It may feel like a lump in the throat, or there may be tenderness or pain in the front of the neck. If the nodule is large enough, it may be visible at the front of the neck.
Most thyroid nodules are harmless. A nodule may simply be an overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue, a swelling caused by inflammation (such as in autoimmune thyroid diseases) or a collection of fluid called a cyst.
The doctor usually discovers nodules by touch during a physical examination. If the doctor finds a nodule, blood tests might be needed to find out how the thyroid gland is working. A doctor may also take an ultrasound image of the gland to detect whether the nodule is a cyst or a solid growth or tumor.
Thyroid Disease, Growth, and Puberty
Once puberty starts, the body goes through some very noticeable changes. Because thyroid hormones play an important role in this process, thyroid disease may slow down or interfere with a teen’s physical development. But it’s important to know that not everyone grows or develops at the same age or at the same rate. If your friend seems to grow 4 inches overnight and you haven’t had a growth spurt yet, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or your thyroid.
A thyroid problem also may cause a girl to have changes in her periods. Girls with thyroid problems may have a decrease or increase in menstrual flow or there may be a shorter or longer time between periods than usual. However, because girls who are just starting to menstruate often have irregular periods for the first year or so, changes in periods are usually nothing to worry about and don’t mean a girl has thyroid disease.
People who are concerned that they might have a thyroid problem should visit the doctor. Chances are, the problem is something simpler. And if someone does have thyroid disease, diagnosing and treating it properly — including bringing the blood levels of thyroid hormones back to normal — will usually prevent or correct any problems.
DIAGNOSIS
• Blood Tests: Measurement of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), decreased levels of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), autoantibodies, thyroglobulin (TG) and Calcitonin, TBG and transthyretin
• Ultrasound
• Radioiodine scanning and uptake
• Biopsy
TREATMENT
Medical Treatment; Levothyroxine, natural thyroid hormone from pigs, propylthiouracil, carbimazole or methimazole, lugols solution, radioactive iodine etc.
Surgery; thyroidectomy
Radioiodine therapy
SUPPLEMENTS
Some studies have shown that the isoflavones in soybeans inhibit the enzyme responsible for adding iodine to thyroid hormone, thyroid peroxidase (TPO). These and other studies also indicate that if you have low iodine in your body, the soy isoflavone could bond to what iodine you do have, leaving you with an inadequate reserve for thyroid hormone production. However, if you have sufficient iodine in your body, eating soy will most likely not be a problem
Iodine
Iodine is the classic remedy for hypothyroidism and there is a reason for that. Iodine is one of the two ingredients needed by the thyroid gland to synthesize thyroid hormones.

Most countries mandate the sale of iodized salt and other iodine-fortified food products for this reason.
Supplementing iodine in food is the single most effective and affordable means of reducing the incidence of hypothyroidism, infertility and cretinism in the population. And such supplementation is absolutely essential for people living far away from the coast.
Selenium
Besides iodine, selenium is another essential mineral needed for proper thyroid functioning.

Zinc and Copper
Other minerals that contribute to thyroid functions include zinc and copper. These metals fulfill smaller roles but they are also important.

Vitamins
Vitamin D is the most important for thyroid function. In addition, vitamin D has also been proven to protect against thyroid cancers.

Vitamins A, C and E are the antioxidant vitamins, and they can also be used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. These vitamins can help mop up harmful free radicals and eliminate reactive oxygen species. Therefore, they can reduce the oxidative stress placed on the thyroid gland. This translates to improved thyroid functions and increase in the syntheses of T3 and T4 for hypothyroid patients.
Another essential supplement for hypothyroid patients is essential fatty acids group; This includes both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The essential fatty acid supplement to take must contain more omega-3 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are useful in the management of chronic and autoimmune diseases such as hypothyroidism

Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins in the body including hormones such as T3 and T4.

allergies

What are allergies? The immune system is responsible for the identification and destruction of foreign substances that enters the body. Normally the immune system acts as the body’s defense against disease-causing microorganisms and substances. However for some people, the immune system mistakes perfectly harmless substances for germs and in response, it releases certain compounds to destroy the perceived “enemy”. This results to allergic reaction. Some people may show allergic reaction to one substance, but others may manifest allergic reaction to many substances which we call allergens.
Allergens may cause an allergic reaction when they come in contact with skin or the eye, when they are inhaled, eaten, or are injected. An allergic reaction can occur as part of a seasonal allergy (such as hay fever). Or an allergic reaction can be triggered by taking a drug, eating certain foods, or breathing in dust or animal dander.

signs and symptoms of allergies
Symptoms of allergies may include:
• Watery and itchy eye
• Runny nose,
• Sneezing (hayfever, rhinitis)
• Nasal congestion
• Swelling around the mouth, nose and throat
• Itchy skin
• Swelling of
• Rashes (inclding hives and eczema)
• Swelling of the skin
• Wheezing and coughing (asthma)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Lowering of blood pressure
• Light headedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis
• Collapse or loss of conciousness
• In severe cases may cause death

types of allergies and what causes allergies
Food allergy. Allergy caused by eating allergenic foods that cause allergic reaction Food allergy may include:
• Peanuts
• Milk
• Wheat
• Wallnuts, pecans, etc
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Eggs
Medication Allergy. Allergy caused by taking medications that cause allergic reaction.
• Penicillin
• Allopurinol
• Sulfa antibiotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDS, such as asprin and ibuprofen)
• Muscle relaxants
Insect allergy. Allergy caused by insect bites that belongs to the Hymenoptera order of insects. Bites from insect that cause allergic reaction are from
• Bees
• Hornet
• Ants
• Wasps
• Yellow jackets
Latex allergy. Allergy caused by contact to latex materials. Common latex materials that cause allergic reaction are
• Rubber bands
• Carpet backing
• Hospital and dental equipment
• Rubber (latex) gloves
• Balloons
• Condoms
Exercise induced Anaphylaxis: Allergy due to exercise-induced Anaphylaxis develops allergic reaction after doing some strenuous exercise
Allergic Conjunctivitis and Eye allergy. Allergic reaction is usually caused by pollen, house dust mites and animal dander
Hay Fever . Hay fever, asthma and eczema are all related allergy conditions and the tendency to develop them runs in families. Most people with hay fever have allergic reaction to grass and oilseed rape pollens, which appear from April to August each year. People who are sensitive to pollen from hazel, yew, elm and alder may develop allergy symptoms from January to April, and people allergic to nettles and other weeds can be affected from April to mid-September.
Allergic Rhinitis. Allergic reaction is caused by exposure to house-dust mite, but there are others, including allergens from animals such as cats, dogs, and horses. Certain foods, drugs and chemicals can also trigger allergic reaction.

allergy testing and diagnosis
1. First step is to determine if the reaction is allergic. This is usually done by a doctor.
2. Establish if there are other members of the family or close relatives that have allergy
3. Blood test for eosinophils – a white blood cell produced during allergy attack
4. Identify possible allergens that may have triggered the allergic reaction
5. History of recent contacts or intake (eating, drinking or injection) of possible allergens that may have triggered the allergic reaction.
6. Skin prick test – solution of allergen is dropped to the skin and then pricked by a needle. The formation of wheal (elevated swelling) and flare (surrounding the wheal of well defined redness) within 15 to 20 minutes would give a positive allergic reaction. Allergen solution may also be injected to provide a more detailed result.
7. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is used when skin tests to trigger allergic reaction cannot be used-for example, when a skin rash is widespread

What is Acne

acne is a common skin disorder normally found on the face and the upper torso. Acne is a cause of embarrassment to most people but it is seldom serious. Acne is caused by an interaction between hormones, skin oils, and bacteria that results in the inflammation of the hair follicles.
Majority of the cases of acne responds pretty well with personal care. With combination of personal hygiene, over-the-counter acne treatments and alternative remedies, you may have a clearer and fairer skin.
Acne may be in the form of pimples, cysts and sometimes abscesses. Cysts and abscesses are pus-filled pockets of skin where the hair follicles grow. Hair follicles are connected to the sebaceous gland that are located in the middle layer of the skin or the dermis, these glands secretes an oily substance called sebum that the body uses to keep the skin from drying.

What are the symptoms of Acne
There are 2 major categorization of symptoms of acne
Mild acnes.
Symptoms of mild acne are mostly superficial, the symptoms of mild acne are characterized with the development of few noninflammed blackheads or a moderate number of small mildly irritated pimples.
Symptoms of acne includes blackheads which appear as tiny black dots at the center of the small swelling of normal colored skin.
Another symptom of acne is called pimples. Pimples on the other hand have white centers surrounded with moderately reddened skin. Pimples are moderately uncomfortable and irritating. Mild acnes usually go away after treatment and rarely leaves scars on the skin.
Severe acne.
Symptoms of acne that is categorized as severe acne include several large, red, painful pus-filled lumps (nodules) that develops on the skin. These symptoms of acne are usually deep and cystic. At times these lumps join together under the skin forming a giant lump where it ruptures and oozes abscesses. Severe acnes usually leaves scar in the skin depending on the depth of the acne. Scars maybe tiny deep holes (ice pick scars), wide pits of varying depths or large irregular identations. Scars resulting from severe acnes lasts a lifetime. To some people this is cosmetically disturbing and a source of psychologic stress.

What are the causes of Acne
Skin Pore Blockage can cause acne.
One cause of acne is the blockage of skin oil secretions (sebum) that normally pass out of the skin through the hair follicles and then through the skin pores together with dead skin cells.
The clogged skin pore is one of the primary cause of acne, this is when the pore of the skin is clogged with dried sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria.
There are two types of blockage that is the cause of acne;
1. Black Head (open comedone)- this is a cause of acne as black head develops as the dried sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria partially blocks the pore of the skin.
2. White Head (closed comedone)- this is a cause of acne as white heads develop when the dried sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria completely blocks the pore of the skin.

In both instances, the blockage of the skin pore promotes the growth of bacteria propionibacterium acne which is normally present in the hair follicles and a cause of acne. When this happens the bacterial growth breaks down the sebum creating a substance irritating the skin. The resulting irritation inflames the skin resulting to skin eruptions called acne pimples. When irritation worsens, an abscess will form causing skin rupture, resulting to more inflammation.
Cosmetic use can also be the cause of acne. Cosmetics blocks the skin pores preventing the flow of oils and dead skin cells from the skin. This becomes the cause of acne.
Hormones can cause of acne
Increase in hormone levels is also considered as a cause of acne. Hormone imbalance aggravate the development of acne. That is why most teenagers suffer more from acne. But as the hormone level stabilizes by mid 20’s acne usually disappears. Other conditions that involves hormonal changes such as menstrual periods and during pregnancies may also be the cause of acne. The taking of oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone replacement therapy may also be a cause of acne.
Drugs can also be a cause of acne
Certain drugs such as corticosteroids and anabolic steroids can also be a cause of acne pimples. These drugs stimulate the sebaceous glands secreting more oil or sebum. When these oil or sebum are blocked this may be the cause of acne.
Others causes of acne
Other cause of acne maybe exposure to sunlight, stress and other skin irritants that continuously comes in contact with the skin.

Home Remedy for Acne
There are a few things that can be done to home remedy acne flare ups
Home Remedy Acne Care 1: Stay Clean and fresh. Acne care may be done by washing gently your skin with mild soap. Avoid strong cleansers and heavy scrubbing, this causes the skin and acne to be further irritated leaving your skin more vulnerable to the side effects of topical acne treatments. Rather use soaps that do not contain moisturizing oils that may not be washed off by water and would clog your skin pores.
For acne care, it is unnecessary to use special and more expensive facial cleansers that contain special medication against acne. Special facial cleansers used for acne care may be washed off by water anyway upon rinsing. Wash your face at least three times a day to remove excess oil and dirt for best acne care and prevention.
Home Remedy Acne Care 2: Another home remedy for acne care is to use minimal makeup and avoid those that are oil based cosmetics. Look at the labels and select those that are water-based. Some skins are easily irritated even with minimal make-ups that cause blemishes and acne breakouts. For best acne care, choose cosmetics that would not irritate your skin then remove makeup as soon as possible, most importantly before retiring to bed.
Home Remedy Acne Care 3: Avoid frequent and continous contact to your face. Try not to touch your face frequently with your hands as this may transfer germs to your face and may cause further infection of your acne. Also avoid prolonged contact with other things such as cradling telephone between your head and shoulder.
Home Remedy Acne Care 4: Poke prudently. Generally for proper acne care, dermatologists discourage the squeezing of blackheads and popping the whiteheads. These practices usually results to scarring. But who doesn’t, most people can’t simply resist to poke their acne or pimples, if you will do, make sure that your face and your hands are clean. Making sure that you will at least dab it with rubbing alcohol before and after to keep it disinfected.

Nutrition and Acne – Foods for Acne Free Face
Good Nutrition and eating a healthy diet is the key to effective acne care. Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber is commonly known to help maintain a clear and acne free skin. Although there is no medical study done as yet to prove the relation of diet and acne, eating a healthy diet rich in fiber brings more good to a person generally.
For best acne care and avoidance, do not eat too much meat and processed foods. Increase your intake of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Drink a lot of water.
Chololates can cause Acne – Myth busted. Chocolate has been blamed for acne. “The chocolate myth has been very persistent,” says Alan P. Bauer, M.D. “After all these years I still hear it.” In fact, the chocolate myth about acne was debunked about a half-century ago. Back then, Albert M. Kligman, M.D, professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, gave a group of teens either real chocolate bars of “placebo” bars that only tasted like chocolate. Later, Dr. Kligman photographed the teens’ faces and counted the acne blemishes that had developed. The teens who had eaten the placebo bars got virtually the same number of acne blemishes as the teens who had eaten the real chocolate. (Excerpt from Blended Medicine-The Best Choices of Healing, Michael Castleman, 2000)

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for Acne Free
Take your Vitamins and Mineral Supplements.
1. Zinc : Studies have suggested that a dose of zinc may help control the break-out of acne. Zinc works by reducing the levels of male sex hormone dihydrotestorone (DHT) in our body. By lowering the hormone androgen, acne breakouts are lessened. Zinc intake more than 30mg per day should be under medical supervision.
2. Aloevera soft gel
3. Lecithin
4. Herbal soaps such as:
– Organo gold G-3 soap,
– BF suma anatic herbal essence soap
– CNI beauty soap
– Green life G soap