Goiter: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Deteriorating routine and carelessness towards one’s health become the cause of many diseases. One such disease is goiter. Due to not paying attention to our regular diet and not getting the complete body checkup done from time to time, we often fall prey to goiter disease. Although you must have often heard about goiter, do you really know what is goiter disease and what can be the symptoms and causes of goiter? Maybe not! Therefore, in this article on Myhealthonly, we will give complete information related to goiter disease. Also, we will discuss in detail what can be the home remedies for goiter.

Let us first know what is goiter disease.

What is Goiter?

Goiter is a disease related to the throat. During this, the thyroid gland in your neck enlarges, due to which swelling starts. Due to the swelling in the thyroid, there is pressure on the respiratory tract and esophagus. This causes coughing, wheezing in the throat, difficulty in breathing, or difficulty swallowing food and water. In fact, due to iodine deficiency, thyroid hormone starts increasing to meet the amount of iodine, resulting in swelling in the throat. Apart from this, deficiency and excess of thyroid hormone can also cause swelling in the gland. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter.

You know what a goiter is, now we will tell you about the type of goiter.

Types of Goiter –

There are many types of goiter. Below we are telling you about some of its common types.

1. Simple goiter – As the name suggests, it is a simple type of goiter. This goiter disease is caused due to enlargement of the thyroid gland and deficiency of iodine. It is not any kind of tumor or cancer.
2. Diffuse toxic goiter – Diffuse toxic goiter is a common disease of the thyroid gland. This disease is often seen in elderly persons. During this, the thyroid gland increases significantly and symptoms like depression and heart-related disorders start appearing. Therefore, thyrostatic (thyroid hormone production-related) treatments do not work in this type of goiter. In this case, the doctor may suggest surgery. Diffuse toxic goiter patients have to be cautious about taking medicines for life because at any time their health can deteriorate due to this.
3. Nontoxic goiter – This goiter is caused by abnormalities of iodine supply and metabolism. The cause of this goiter disease is not inflammation or neoplasia (growth of cells/tumor). In this type of goiter also there is an increase in the thyroid gland, but due to this increase, there is no effect on the function of the thyroid.
4. Toxic nodular goiter – This type of goiter starts with a simple goiter. This goiter mostly occurs in women over 55 years of age. In this goiter disease also your thyroid gland is enlarged. During this, after the size of the gland increases, nodules (lumps) start forming there. After the formation of nodules, they start producing more thyroid hormones.

After the type of goiter, we will tell you about some common reasons for it.

Cause of Goiter –

You know what a goggle is. Now you also need to know the cause of goiter for its prevention. Below we are telling you the reasons for goiter.

• Deficiency of Iodine.
• Use of medicines such as lithium, amiodarone.
• Infection.
• Smoking.
• Not making enough thyroid hormone.
• Consumption of certain foods, such as soy, peanuts, broccoli, and vegetables of the cabbage family.
• Autoimmune problems (when the immunity itself starts destroying the thyroid gland). This includes diseases like thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s, thyroid nodules.

After the cause of goiter, we are telling you the symptoms of goiter.

Symptoms of Goiter –

When it comes to goiter, everyone thinks that the increase in the size of the throat is the only symptom, but it is not so. There are many other symptoms of goiter as well, which are as follows.

• Difficulty breathing
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing food and beverages
• Pain in the area of ​​the thyroid (front of the throat)
• Feeling tired
• Heat intolerance
• Getting more hungry
• Excessive sweating
• Irregular menstruation in women
• Frequent passing of stool
• Muscle cramps
• Nervousness
• Weight loss

Above you have already learned about the symptoms of goiter disease. Now we will tell you in detail what can be the home remedies for goiter.

Home Remedies for Goiter –

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Material:

• A spoonful of apple cider vinegar
• Half teaspoon honey
• A glass of water

How to use:

• Make the water lukewarm.
• Now prepare the mixture by mixing honey and apple cider vinegar in it.
• After the mixture is ready, drink it.
• It can be consumed daily on an empty stomach.

How profitable:

You can use apple cider vinegar to get rid of goiter. As mentioned above, the goiter problem occurs due to infection. In such a situation, the antimicrobial properties present in apple vinegar can kill the bacteria that cause infection and prevent them from growing. Therefore, it can be said that apple cider vinegar can be used to treat goiter at home. Apart from this, it is believed that the use of vinegar can also remove the inflammation caused by goiter.

2. Castor Oil

Material:

• Few drops of castor oil

How to use:

• Take drops of castor oil in the palm.
• Now lightly massage the entire part of the neck with this.
• You can repeat this reaction every night.

How profitable:

Swelling in the throat starts due to goiter. In such a situation, you can reduce inflammation by using castor oil. Actually, castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the inflammation caused by goiter.

3. Coconut Oil

Material:

• Few drops of coconut oil

How to use:

• Put essential drops of coconut oil in the palm.
• Now massage the affected area with it.
• You can repeat this process every night before going to sleep.

How profitable:

Coconut oil can also be included to treat goiter. Actually, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are found in coconut oil. Both these properties are essential for thyroid hormone. The reason for goiter is also the lack of thyroid hormone, so coconut oil is considered beneficial in it. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory property also helps in reducing inflammation.

4. Watercress

Material:

• Handful of watercress

How to use:

• You can cut watercress and eat it as a salad.
• You can also use it to garnish other salads or any dishes.
• You can consume watercress once daily.

How profitable:

Watercress is commonly known as hyacinth. Watercress can also prove beneficial in the treatment of goiter. Actually, the most common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency and watercress is rich in iodine. Therefore, goiter can be cured by consuming it. You can also apply watercress on the neck in the form of a paste.

5. Juice Recipe

(a) Lemon juice

Material:

• One teaspoon lemon juice
• A bud of garlic
• A spoonful of honey

How to use:

• First of all, make a paste by peeling the garlic.
• Now add lemon juice and honey to it and mix it well.
• If needed, a few drops of water can also be added to it.
• Now drink this mixture.
• You can drink it every morning on an empty stomach.

How profitable:

Lemon juice can help you get relief from goiter. Actually, vitamin C is found in lemon juice, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. This property can help reduce inflammation. Apart from this, lemon also has antimicrobial properties, which work to destroy the bacteria that cause infection. Therefore, it is believed that lemon can help reduce the inflammation caused by goiter and provide relief in this disease caused by infection.

(b) Pineapple juice

Material:

• A quarter pineapple
• A carrot
• Two tomatoes

How to use:

• Blend pineapple, carrot, and tomato to make juice.
• You can also add some water to it if needed.
• After the juice is made, drink it fresh.
• You can consume a glass of juice daily.

How profitable:

Drinking pineapple juice can also give you relief from goiter. Pineapple has anti-inflammatory properties, which work to reduce inflammation. In addition, they also help control the glands, which can help in curing goiter.

6. Turmeric

Material:

• Half cup turmeric powder
• A cup of water
• Tsp black pepper powder
• 70 ml olive or coconut oil

How to use:

• First, heat water in a vessel and add turmeric powder to it.
• Cook it for 5 to 10 minutes i.e. till it becomes a thick paste.
• After making a paste, add black pepper powder and oil and mix it well.
• Apply this paste little by little on the goiter-affected area.
• You can repeat this process twice a day.
• You can store the prepared paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

How profitable:

You can also add turmeric to it while treating goiter. Actually, turmeric has antioxidant properties, which help in preventing diseases occurring in the thyroid gland. Turmeric helps maintain thyroid health by reducing oxidative stress.

7. Flaxseed

Material:

• Two teaspoons flaxseed
• Water as needed

How to use:

• Grind flaxseeds finely.
• Now prepare a paste by mixing water in flaxseed powder.
• Apply this paste on the affected area with light hands.
• Wash it off after 20 to 25 minutes.
• You can repeat this process once daily until the swelling subsides.

How profitable:

Flax seeds can also be used to remove goiter. Actually, flaxseed has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. On the one hand, the anti-inflammatory properties help in reducing the inflammation caused by goiter. At the same time, the antioxidant property helps in maintaining thyroid health.

8. Neck Exercises

(a) Upward Neck Stretch

Exercise Method:

• Sit in a flat place with your back and neck straight.
• Now lift the chin or neck upwards.
• After about 30 to 40 seconds, lower the neck.
• This exercise can be done for 5 minutes.

(b) Sideways Neck Stretch

Exercise Method:

• First of all, sit in a flat place with the waist-back and neck straight.
• Now slowly bend the neck towards the shoulder.
• When your ear touches the shoulder, bring the neck back to the previous position.
• After some time bend the neck on the other shoulder.
• You can repeat this process one to two times.

Note: If you feel pain in the neck while doing this exercise, then stop doing it.

How profitable:

It is believed that neck exercises can be helpful in relieving goiter, but there is no scientific evidence for this. However, neck stretch exercises are recommended after thyroid surgery, which provides relief in pain.

9. Beet

Material:

• A normal-sized beet.

How to use:

• Grind beetroot and extract its juice.
• Consume the juice as soon as it is ready.
• It can also be used as a salad.
• You can consume it once daily in the form of juice or twice daily in the form of salad.

How profitable:

Anti-microbial properties are found in beetroot. In this case, beetroot can help in getting relief from goiter caused due to infection. Infection can cause goiter as mentioned above. Therefore, getting rid of the infection can also get rid of this problem.

10. Garlic

Material:

• One to two garlic cloves

How to use:

• Peel the garlic and chew it on an empty stomach in the morning.
• You can also eat crushed garlic for taste and add honey to it.
• This process can be repeated every morning.

How profitable:

Garlic has been found to have antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. As we have already told you in the article both these properties can prove beneficial in goiter disease. Along with this, allicin and flavonoids present in garlic extract help in reducing the process of thyroid enlargement.

11. Green Tea

Material:

• One teaspoon green tea powder
• A cup of water
• Honey to taste

How to use:

• Heat the water and then add tea powder to it.
• When it dissolves, take it out in a cup and mix honey in it for taste.
• Drink it fresh.
• You can use it to drink once a day.

How profitable:

According to research, anti-microbial properties are found in green tea, which helps to eliminate bacteria as well as prevent them from growing. Therefore, it is believed that consuming green tea can provide relief in goiter disease caused by infection.

12. Lemon Balm Tea

Material:

• 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm
• A cup of water
• Honey

How to use:

• Heat water in a pot and add lemon balm.
• Then boil it for a few minutes.
• Now drink it like tea.
• You can also add honey to it for taste.
• You can consume one to two lemon balm teas daily.

How profitable:

Consumption of lemon balm tea can also provide relief from goiter disease. Antimicrobial properties are found in lemon balm, which kills the bacteria that cause infection and prevents them from growing. Along with this, it also prevents the formation of tumor cells. Therefore, lemon balm tea is believed to help treat goiter.

You have already come to know how useful home remedies are for goiter. Now we will tell you about the risk factors of goiter.

Risk Factors of Goiter –

Some of the risk factors for goiter are as follows:

• Tobacco use and smoking.
• Women are more prone to goiter.
• Pregnant women are also more prone to goiter.
• Whose family has any problem with goiter?
• People over 40 years of age.

After the risk factors of goiter, we will tell you what can be the treatment of goiter disease.

Goiter Treatment-

Sometimes it happens that there are no symptoms of goiter disease. Therefore, doctors always recommend that this disease should be treated only when there is swelling or other problems and symptoms in the throat. Below we are telling you about the treatment to be done after abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland.

• As a treatment, the doctor may ask you to take thyroid hormone replacement pills. Doctors recommend medicine only if you have a goiter due to underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.
• If the goiter is caused by iodine deficiency, the doctor may recommend the use of Lugol iodine or potassium iodide solution.
• If the thyroid gland is producing too much thyroid hormone, the doctor may recommend shrinking the gland with radioactive iodine.
• If the goiter is not healing, the doctor may also suggest surgery. In this, all or part of the thyroid gland is removed.

Now we will tell which diet can be beneficial to consume if goiter or goiter is avoided.

Diet for Goiter –

Certain foods can help treat goiter when it occurs. You can include these iodine-rich foods in your diet to avoid goiter caused by iodine deficiency.

• Seafood
• Curd (low fat)
• Milk (low fat)
• Iodized salt
• Fish (Baked Cod)
• White bread
• Chocolate ice cream
• Steamed Macaroni
• Cream Corn
• Dried plums
• Apple juice
• Pea
• Egg
• Banana
• Apple
• Cheese

Keep reading this article to know about the remedies to avoid goiter.

Tips to Avoid Goiter-

You can protect yourself from goiter by making some changes in your daily routine and by paying attention to some things. Some ways to avoid goiter are as follows.

• Goiter can be avoided by including iodine-rich foods in your diet.
• Goiter is also caused by smoking, so to avoid goiter, you should avoid smoking.
• You can protect yourself from goiter along with infection by taking care of cleanliness.
• Avoid taking medicines like lithium and amiodarone.

What is goiter and what can be the home remedies for goiter, we have already told you in detail in this article. Now you have to take care of your health by changing your routine and paying attention to the things given in the article. Keep in mind that only small precautions can help protect you from any kind of disease. You must share this article to reach your friends and acquaintances related information about goiter. This step of yours can help save someone else from goiter. If you have any questions related to goiter disease in your mind even after reading the article, then you can reach them through the comment box given below.