By: AVA WOFFORD
Staff Writer
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t create or release enough of the thyroid hormone into the bloodstream.
Simple symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, muscle weakness, increased sensitivity to cold, and dry skin. However, the more severe symptoms include low heart rate, low systolic and high diastolic blood pressure, brittle hair, and more. Hypothyroidism is caused by a multitude of different reasons.
The most common way to get this disease is through the autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
While this disease is usually not inherited, you do have a higher chance of getting it if someone in your family has it. Hypothyroidism can lead to joint and muscle problems. It can cause stiffness, swelling of the small joints in the hands and feet, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.. Hypothyroidism cardiac effects include a decrease in output, decrease in cardiac contractions, reduction of heart rate, and increase in peripheral vascular resistance. Hypothyroidism can cause rapid bone loss. It can also slow down the bone metabolism which causes bone formation to slow down.
This disease affects the respiratory system by weakening the system’s muscles and its functions. It can cause swelling of the tongue, hoarse voice, and can cause a decrease in the ability to exercise. Hypothyroidism can also cause sleep apnea which causes intermittent blockage of the airways which can cause bad sleep and sleepiness. Hypothyroidism causes the food in your stomach to not move as fast and that can cause bloating, heartburn, and even constipation. can cause your metabolism to slow down, causing weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, and swelling of hands and feet. Without a lot of thyroid hormones, your skin is affected as well, and your hair can thin out as well. Because dry skin and hair can become thin. Nails can also look different and become brittle. It can cause a lack of control in body temperature as well as cause less sweat. Treatment for hypothyroidism involves the daily use of synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. That is an oral medication that restores hormone levels and reverses the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism cannot be prevented. The best way to prevent developing a more serious condition is to watch for symptoms.
