Myxedema (hypothyroidism ) is a disease caused by insufficient supply of organs and tissues with thyroid hormones. It is considered as an extreme, clinically expressed form of hypothyroidism.
Women suffer from hypothyroidism 4 times more often than men. The onset of the disease in 90% of cases coincides with the onset of menopause.
Causes of m ixedema
The disease develops as a result of inflammatory, autoimmune and tumor lesions of the thyroid gland, as a result of operations on the thyroid gland, the introduction of radioactive iodine, with violations of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
Varieties of m ixedema
Primary hypothyroidism – direct damage to the thyroid gland; congenital anomalies, inflammatory – with chronic infections, autoimmune nature, damage to the thyroid gland after the introduction of radioactive iodine, surgery on the thyroid gland, lack of iodine in the environment;
Secondary hypothyroidism – infectious, tumor or traumatic lesions of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
The main symptoms of mixedema
In mild form, patients complain of lethargy, drowsiness, apathy, weakness. Patients are prone to constipation. Women often have heavy periods, men show signs of reduced libido.
In severe form of hypothyroidism, the above symptoms are joined by such as: dry skin, decrease in body temperature, memory impairment, shortness of breath as a result of physical exertion. The facial features of the sick person become puffy, the movements and speech of the sick person are slow, the hearing is sharply reduced, the tongue is swollen, the voice is hoarse and deaf. Hair loss and brittle nails are noted. The basic exchange is sharply reduced.
The disease proceeds for a long time with a gradual increase in symptoms. This increase is very slow, and often, during the first ten years of the disease, patients do not even seek medical help.
Treatment of m ixedema
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy, symptomatic therapy.
Prevention of m ixedema
Prevention of myxedema is the prevention and timely treatment of infectious diseases, sanitation of the nasopharyngeal region.