The Hashimoto Disease
Introduction
Hashimoto infection is a common kind of Thyroiditis disorder. Only a few numbers of people are aware of this infection, and most of people know about the existence of this disorder when they acquire it[1]. The capability of thyroid gland not producing thyroid hormones can easily result in hypothyroidism. This infection is easy to diagnose because of the signs which it depicts. Due to the pressure which is felt in the neck area, Hashimoto infection can lead to dyspnea. This infection affects women the most as compared to men. It is only in rare situations where the infection occurs to young individuals because it mostly occurs to adults who are between 40 and 60 years of age[2]. Individuals who come from families with a history of this infection are at very high risk of developing the same disease at a certain age of their life.
Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto disease
There are various characteristics which healthcare professionals use to be able to distinguish Hashimoto infection. An individual may develop goiter when their immune system cells attack the thyroid tissue causing inflammation which can lead to enlargement of the thyroid[3]. Swelling around the neck is considered a primary sign of this disorder. When the swelling starts to occur a patient may not experience any pain but I the patient does not seek any medical attention early in advance he/she may start experiencing some pressure in the lower side of the neck. The swelling may cause it hard for the individual to swallow and breathe if they do not get treated. Signs and symptoms differ depending on the victim. If an individual develops hypothyroidism, they may experience signs such as weight loss or weight gains[4]. They might also have muscle soreness, fatigue or even develop dry skin. Victims may lose their hair shine, and the hair might start losing in parts of their scalp. Some of these signs are difficult to detect because they seem normal it is, therefore, recommendable that individuals who experience any o these signs should seek medical attention
Contributing Factors to Hashimoto Disease
Women are at very high risk of this infection due to sex hormones. Studies which have been conducted indicate that women are 5 to 10 times most likely to conduct this infection as compared to men[5]. They should, therefore, ensure that they have regular check-ups with healthcare professionals so that they can be able to prevent this infection from getting worse. Middle-aged individuals are also at risk of getting this infection though no studies indicate the reason. They are therefore advised to pay attention to Hashimoto signs and symptoms so that they can be treated early before the condition is in a critical state. Individuals who are exposed to excessive environmental radiations can also develop Hashimoto infection. Hashimoto infection has a lot of negative impacts to certain type’s cancer infection. Hashimoto can lead to lung, breast and thyroid cancer. There is no major cause of this infection. However, it occurs mostly when the immune system create antibodies which harm the thyroid gland[6].
The Western Approach to the Treatment of Hashimoto Disease
Hashimoto infection is diagnosed through a various blood test which examines the thyroid gland functioning. The main aim of conducting blood tests by healthcare professionals is to search for antibodies which are against the protein found in thyroid glands. Healthcare professionals can also diagnose Hashimoto infection through physical examination or medical history of an individual[7]. Healthcare professionals carry the exercise by asking the patients some questions which they can use to assess their health condition or by carrying out regular checkups so that they can start the treatment immediately before the state is out of control. Healthcare professionals also use ultrasound to detect Hashimoto infection which is a useful tool for the diagnosis of this infection. It is the most recommendable form of diagnosis because it is second meaning even patients from financially unstable backgrounds can afford it and it is not painful meaning it can even be carried out to children. Hashimoto can be controlled and treated through the use of a medication called levothyroxine sodium. Individuals who are suffering from this infection are supposed to take this pill every day for the rest of their life. This medication replaces the hormones which thyroid glands are not capable of producing anymore. Dosage given by healthcare professionals to victims of this infection is different because it depends on various factors such as age and signs and symptoms which a person is experiencing[8]. For elderly patients and those individuals who have the cardiovascular disease the pills may have some negative impacts to their health. For those patients whose condition is critical, healthcare professionals can use thyroidectomy. This treatment technique is doe to patients who have developed thyroid cancer.
Hashimoto Disease and Diet
Foods to avoid
| Food to avoid | How it is harmful | Reason |
| Cruciferous vegetables | Individuals who have Hashimoto infections should not take this group of vegetables raw which includes cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli[9]. These vegetables should be avoided because they interfere with normal production of thyroid hormones | Individuals with Hashimoto infection should avoid these vegetables because they contains glucosinolates substances which is capable of interfering with normal functioning of thyroid glands[10]. |
| Canola oil | Although canola oil is considered as an appropriate alternative oil for cooking, it should be avoided by individuals who have Hashimoto infection because they can trigger the impacts of this infection[11]. | Canola oil is among high processed foodstuffs which are not recommended by healthcare professionals especially for individuals with Hashimoto infection. |
| soy | People who consume soy may have a crashed thyroid gland which makes them feel exhausted and drained after eating it[12]. | Soy contains harmful substance known as goitrogens which persists even after cooking. |
| Omega 6 foods | Our bodies requires both omega 3 to reduce inflammation and omega 6 to promote inflammation. However, excessive consumption of omega 6 for individuals with Hashimoto can affect the normal functioning of thyroid gland[13]. | Excessive intake of omega 6 should be avoided because they contain substance which can be harmful to the victim’s body by interfering with thyroid gland |
| Gluten | Gluten is capable of increasing intestinal permeability which can lead to a condition referred to as leaky gut by healthcare professionals[14]. | Patients who have Hashimoto infection are most likely to have some degree of gluten intolerance. It is therefore advisable that they should eliminate gluten from their diets. |
Foods to eat
| Foods to eat | Key nutrients | Reason |
| Seaweed and sea vegetables | Sea vegetables have contains iodine nutrients[15]. | The iodine nutrients which is found in seaweeds an vegetables is absorbed in the body to enable thyroid gland produce the right amount of thyroid hormones needed in the body[16]. |
| Beef, chicken and other animal proteins | Animals proteins are referred to as complete proteins because they contain all the essential amino acids. They include nutrients such as selenium, zinc, iron and tyrosine[17]. | The nutrients which are found in animal proteins plays essential role in the immune system. Animal proteins contain a lot of nutrients which are required for thyroid operation. |
| Leafy greens | They contain vitamins and nutrients which includes thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate[18]. | These nutrients helps in generation of new cells lowering stress to protect immune system and they also act as anti-inflammatory nutrients |
| Salmon | Salmon contains omega 3 nutrients | Omega 3 nutrients which are found in salmon helps reduce inflammation lowering blood pressure and thus decreasing the risk factor for this infection |
| avocado | Avocado contains nutrients such as vitamin B, iron, zinc and folate. | Healthcare professionals recommends patients suffering from Hashimoto to include avocado in their diet because they contain 77% of fats which are anti-inflammatory in nature[19]. |
Summary
Hashimoto is a life-threatening infection across the globe. This is because most people are not aware of the infection because its signs and symptoms appear normal. Individuals are therefore advised to ensure that they seek medical attention more regularly for checkups so that healthcare professionals can be able to control and treat this infection early in advance. If individual experience signs as difficulties in breathing and swallowing as well as drastic weight loss or gain they should seek assistance from healthcare professionals so that they can be able to diagnose the infection. People who have Hashimoto infection are advised to have healthy diets so that they can be able to manage the infection.
Bibliography
Caturegli, P., A. De Remigis, and N. R. Rose. “Hashimoto thyroiditis: clinical and diagnostic criteria.” Autoimmunity reviews 13, no. 4-5 (2014): 391-397.
Doniach, Deborah, and I. M. Roitt. “Auto-immunity in Hashimoto’s disease and its implications.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 17, no. 11 (1957): 1293-1304.
Effraimidis, Grigoris, and Wilmar M. Wiersinga. “Autoimmune thyroid disease: old and new players.” European journal of endocrinology (2014): EJE-14.
Goudie, R. B., and P. H. Pinkerton. “Anterior hypophysitis and Hashimoto’s disease in a young woman.” The Journal of pathology and bacteriology 83, no. 2 (1962): 584-585.
Jellinek, E. H., and Keith Ball. “Hashimoto’s disease and encephalopathy.” The Lancet 288, no. 7462 (1966): 512-514.
Marazuela, M., L. Garcia‐Buey, B. Gonzalez‐Fernandez, C. Garcia‐Monzon, A. Arranz, M. J. Borque, and R. Moreno‐Otero. “Thyroid autoimmune disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and during interferon‐α therapy.” Clinical endocrinology 44, no. 6 (1996): 635-642.
Mulhern, LawrenceM, AlfonseT Masi, PH Johns Hopkins, and LawrenceE Shulman. “Hashimoto’s disease a search for associated disorders in 170 clinically detected cases.” The Lancet 288, no. 7462 (1966): 508-512.
Pyzik, Aleksandra, Ewelina Grywalska, Beata Matyjaszek-Matuszek, and Jacek Roliński. “Immune disorders in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: what do we know so far?.” Journal of immunology research 2015 (2015).
Roitt, I. M., Deborah Doniach, P. N. Campbell, and R. Vaughan Hudson. “Auto-antibodies in Hashimoto’s disease (lymphadenoid goitre).” The Lancet 268, no. 6947 (1956): 820-821.
Wiersinga, Wilmar M. “Clinical relevance of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease.” Endocrinology and Metabolism 31, no. 2 (2016): 213-222.
[1] Caturegli, P., A. De Remigis, and N. R. Rose. “Hashimoto thyroiditis: clinical and diagnostic criteria.” Autoimmunity reviews 13, no. 4-5 (2014): 391-397.
[2]Doniach, Deborah, and I. M. Roitt. “Auto-immunity in Hashimoto’s disease and its implications.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 17, no. 11 (1957): 1293-1304.
[3] Effraimidis, Grigoris, and Wilmar M. Wiersinga. “Autoimmune thyroid disease: old and new players.” European journal of endocrinology (2014): EJE-14.
[4] Goudie, R. B., and P. H. Pinkerton. “Anterior hypophysitis and Hashimoto’s disease in a young woman.” The Journal of pathology and bacteriology 83, no. 2 (1962): 584-585.
[5] Jellinek, E. H., and Keith Ball. “Hashimoto’s disease and encephalopathy.” The Lancet 288, no. 7462 (1966): 512-514.
[6] Marazuela, M., L. Garcia‐Buey, B. Gonzalez‐Fernandez, C. Garcia‐Monzon, A. Arranz, M. J. Borque, and R. Moreno‐Otero. “Thyroid autoimmune disorders in patients with chronic
[7] Mulhern, LawrenceM, AlfonseT Masi, PH Johns Hopkins, and LawrenceE Shulman. “Hashimoto’s disease a search for associated disorders in 170 clinically detected cases.” The Lancet 288, no. 7462 (1966): 508-512.
[8] Pyzik, Aleksandra, Ewelina Grywalska, Beata Matyjaszek-Matuszek, and Jacek Roliński. “Immune disorders in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: what do we know so far?.” Journal of immunology research 2015 (2015).
[9] Ibid, Wiersinga “Clinical relevance of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease.”
[10]Roitt, I. M., Deborah Doniach, P. N. Campbell, and R. Vaughan Hudson. “Auto-antibodies in Hashimoto’s disease (lymphadenoid goitre).” The Lancet 268, no. 6947 (1956): 820-821.
[11] Ibid, Effraimidis “Autoimmune thyroid disease: old and new players.”
[12] Ibid, Effraimidis
[13] Wiersinga, Wilmar M. “Clinical relevance of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease.” Endocrinology and Metabolism 31, no. 2 (2016): 213-222.
[14] Ibid, Goudie “Anterior hypophysitis and Hashimoto’s disease in a young woman.”
[15] Ibid, Caturegli.
[16] Ibid
[17] Ibid, Goudie. “Anterior hypophysitis and Hashimoto’s disease in a young woman.”
[18] Ibid, Jellinek
[19] Ibid
