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The thyroid gland, a bilobed butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in front of the neck on either side of the trachea ‘windpipe’ and produces “thyroxine” hormone that regulates mainly metabolism, temperature and also growth. Its adjacent tiny endocrine Parathyroid glands regulates calcium metabolism in the human body. Although much has been done about the thyroid related diseases in our country, it is only in the last 10 years or so that people from the rural parts of India especially of low socio-economic status , most affected by it have become aware of the implications of thyroid imbalance & its ill long lasting effects over the human body. National goiter programme has also been launched, so as to legalise the consumption of iodised salt in food items which is integral part of thyroid disorders.
Dr. Rakesh Gupta, SENOIR ,ENT & HEAD NECK SURGEON Eye and ENT Hospital, Raipur says, “We have seen almost a 30% to 40% rise in the number of thyroid cases in all age groups coming in from central India because of heightened awareness.” He adds, “Thyroid diseases usually affect the lower socio-economic class and it is mostly seen in women in their middle-age although it can affect all age groups, the male to female ratio being 2:8.”
Thyroid hormone imbalance can lead to either hypothyroidism due to insufficient production of “thyroxine” thyroid hormone which results in fatigue, lethargy, muscle cramps, weight gain, swelling all over the body, esp. lower legs etc. and on the other hand there is hyperthyroidism due to overproduction of the thyroid hormone leading to excessive temperature feeling, increased heart rate, palpitation, weight loss among others. At an extreme stage hyperthyroidism can cause protrusion of eye balls. These hormonal imbalances are treated through hormonal and drugs supplements by physicians & endocrinologists very effectively.
In patients where thyroid hormones are stabilized in normal range with the help of drugs treatment, there is a possibility of enlargement of the thyroid gland giving rise to “goiter ” being formed which can affect one or both lobes in larger dimension as it compresses the trachea and wind pipe also. The progressive enlargement of thyroid gland can be either benign e.g. Goitre, adenoma or can become cancerous in rare cases that needs to be surgically removed.
It has been seen that more women than men are affected by abnormal progressive enlargement, in spite of adequate iodine intake in the form of food & hormonal replacement therapy thus pointing towards a possible genetic, environmental & socio economic reasons for its occurrence. Therefore there is need to change the strategy & rethink the policy of iodine replacement solely for prevention of the thyroid hormone disorders. There is need of research based studies towards the thyroid disorders at large & factors causing the occurrence of thyroid tumours in particular.
Depaki Bai, a 30 year old woman from lower socio economic status Raipur underwent thyroid surgery to remove her huge thyroid tumour. She was suffering since last three years and approached Dr. Gupta & his team after she got to know that safe surgical treatment was available within her means.
Surgery for the thyroid gland tumours requires precision & skill of the team of surgeons & anesthesiologists as it is being performed within few centimeters of the vessels of the neck supplying blood to the brain & vital structures of the neck & recurrent laryngeal nerve responsible for phonation, the voice box of the patient over which the thyroid gland is situated. Apart from this thyroid gland being a vascular structure, blood loss has been minimized. Surgery has been made patient friendly & affordable by the surgical tools available.
Today, due to increasing health awareness through government health schemes and media, people from small towns and villages are all recognizing the importance of getting themselves treated for thyroid related diseases and coming forward. The government has also facilitated the entire process through the RSBY scheme for below poverty line families that covers the expenses of surgery & entire treatment cost in lieu of a nominal annual fee. And efforts like these have helped many people like Depaki Bai to return to normalcy in their lives.
Dr Gupta says “It is indeed good news that a lot of people from the lower strata of society can avail themselves of possibly the best healthcare”.
One of the latest techniques, Coblation can be used to remove Thyroid gland tumours. Coblation machine uses a low – temperature plasma freezing technology, that cuts and seals the tissue and blood vessels of the area at which the surgery is being performed. This decreases the risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissues and reduces bleeding. Therefore, the postoperative swelling and pain is minimal. It also provides more precise operative results and it hastens the recovery. The patient is admitted few hours before the surgery and can be discharged within two days.
For More Details Contact – Dr. Rakesh Gupta – 0771 – 2426559 |
