Stop being emo! Beware of thyroid disease

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Experts advise

Thyroid disease is more common in women between the ages of 30 and 60.

Thyroid disease in women

When you are depressed

Second, during puberty

3. During pregnancy or within six months after childbirth

Finally, menopause

So why does depression affect the thyroid gland?

Can thyroid nodules become cancerous?

How to prevent thyroid disease?

01

Thyroid gland - the "engine" in the neck

The thyroid gland is located in the middle of the front neck. Its shape resembles a butterfly with its wings spread, and it is located right in front of the trachea.

Image source: Life Times

It controls the secretion of thyroid hormones

Regulator of body metabolism

Known as the "engine of the body"

If there is a lack or excess of this hormone

Human energy metabolism, body temperature, heart, and brain

Muscles and other organs cannot function properly.

Image source: Photo Network

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Neck lumps or swelling, difficulty swallowing, persistent hoarseness, chronic cough or shortness of breath may be signs of thyroid cancer.

According to the latest cancer report released by the National Cancer Center in 2022, the incidence of thyroid cancer in my country increased 20 times in 16 years from 2000 to 2016. Compared with the national cancer epidemiological statistics in 2012, the incidence of thyroid cancer in women rose from seventh to third.

Image source: Beijing Science and Technology News Agency

The reason is that most thyroid diseases are related to autoimmune disorders, and women are more susceptible to changes in hormone secretion due to their own physiological characteristics. Women of childbearing age often have the highest estrogen levels in their lives, and this stage is also the age group with a high incidence of thyroid cancer in women.

Image source: Photo Network

In addition, compared with men, women as a whole are more susceptible to negative emotions. Negative emotional factors are the main cause of hyperthyroidism and an important factor that aggravates many thyroid diseases. This invisibly increases the risk of thyroid diseases.

In addition, social competition, work, and life pressures cause women to suffer from excessive mental stress, as well as irregular lifestyles. The combination of these factors increases the probability of women becoming ill.

02

What are nodules?

How to self-examine thyroid nodules?

A nodule refers to the abnormal proliferation of cells within various organs . It can also be understood as a "bump" formed by abnormal proliferation of tissues and organs . It is generally discovered through imaging or palpation.

The detection rate of thyroid nodules is very high, of which about 85% to 95% are benign and most do not require treatment. However, even if the thyroid nodules are benign, there is a 10% to 15% chance of them becoming cancerous during a lifetime, so they also need to be taken seriously.

You can usually check your thyroid nodules by touching your neck:

1. A round lump appears on the neck

2. The diameter of the tumor is more than 2 cm

3. A single nodule is enlarged and has a rough surface

4. The lump grows quickly and can become significantly larger within a dozen days or one or two months

Image source: Photo Network

If the above 4 situations occur

Attention should be paid to timely medical treatment

If a nodule is found during a physical examination

It's best to go to the hospital to confirm

Is it benign or malignant?

Treat according to doctor's orders

03

Develop good habits to protect your thyroid gland

1. Regular physical examination

Physical examination is an important means to detect tiny or asymptomatic nodules. It is generally recommended to be done once a year, which can detect the disease early. People who have been diagnosed should increase the number of examinations and review them every 3 to 6 months. If you feel any discomfort, you should seek medical attention at any time.

2. Stay up late less and don’t be anxious

Life in modern society is stressful and fast-paced. Excessive psychological burden and poor cognitive patterns can cause anxiety and depression, which in turn lead to changes in the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, affecting the synthesis and secretion of thyrotropin, which promotes thyroid cell proliferation and thyroid nodule formation.

Therefore, we should pay attention to improving our lifestyle, exercising moderately, maintaining a regular work and rest schedule, and maintaining the stability of the body's internal environment.

Image source: Photo Network

3. Stay away from radiation

Stay away from ionizing radiation and radioactive substances. When taking X-rays, try to avoid the thyroid area. Radiation is a clear cause of thyroid cancer, and teenagers and children should avoid it. However, it should be noted that the radiation from items such as televisions, mobile phones, and computers is relatively low, so there is no need to worry too much.

4. Pay attention to emotional changes

Emotional changes may indicate abnormal thyroid function. The thyroid gland regulates human metabolism through hormones. Once abnormalities occur, metabolic disorders will occur. When thyroid hormones are secreted excessively, causing hypermetabolism, this is what we often call "hyperthyroidism" (hyperthyroidism). Conversely, "hypothyroidism" (hypothyroidism) is when thyroid hormones are secreted too little, causing slow metabolism.

5. Adjust your diet and take in iodine appropriately

Iodine is an essential element for maintaining the normal function of the human thyroid gland. Both iodine deficiency and iodine excess can affect autoimmune reactions and thyroid cell apoptosis, affecting the onset of thyroid nodules. Therefore, we should pay attention to the balance of iodine intake in our daily diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, supplement vitamins and trace elements, and eat less spicy, stimulating and greasy food.

Image source: Photo Network

References: China Science Popularization Network, Science Popularization China, People's Daily, Beijing Science and Technology News Agency, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Compiled by: Dong Xiaoxian