Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is the process of inflammation of the thyroid gland tissues. It may have an autoimmune, chronic, acute or subacute character. The most characteristic signs of the disease are hoarseness of voice, difficulty swallowing, pain in the neck and a feeling of pressure. In the acute form, the formation of an abscess occurs. The main cause of this disease in various forms is the presence of an inflammatory component that affects the thyroid tissue.
Causes of the disease
Thyroiditis manifests itself after acute or chronic infectious diseases, such as sepsis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, etc. This happens due to the hematogenic introduction of infectious agents directly into the gland tissue.
Thyroiditis of acute non-purulent form can develop after hemorrhage in the gland tissue, its radiation or traumatic damage.
Thyroiditis of the subacute form is provoked by viral damage to thyroid cells, infectious diseases such as influenza or measles.
The disease is characteristic of female patients, in the age group from 20 to 50 years. As a rule, symptoms manifest themselves after a certain time after a viral infection. Thyroiditis of the subacute form is much less common, but at the same time it provokes irreversible changes in the functions of the thyroid gland. Thyroiditis of the subacute form is provoked by hereditary factors, as well as chronic infections of the nasopharynx.
Fibrous thyroiditis causes a significant overgrowth of connective tissue in the thyroid gland. This process causes significant compression in the neck area. This form of the disease is characteristic of women over the age of 40. The final cause provoking this disease has not yet been clarified, but there is an assumption that it is caused by autoimmune disorders. This disease most often develops in patients who have undergone surgery on the thyroid gland, thyrotoxicosis. Practice has shown that this ailment is more often fixed in people with a history of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms of thyroiditis
Acute thyroiditis
Inflammatory infiltration of the thyroid gland occurs, which causes the formation of an abscess. The area with purulent content is excluded from the activity of the gland, but, as a rule, this refers to a small part of the thyroid tissue, which does not cause general dysfunction of this organ.
The purulent form of this disease develops rapidly, with high fever, sharp pain in the anterior surface of the neck, which shifts to the ears, tongue and jaw, difficulty in moving the head. Patients complain of constant tachycardia, headache, aching joints and muscles, bruising and weakness, which are common signs of intoxication of the body. The patient’s condition may become severe.
Thyroiditis of subacute form
It proceeds with a pronounced inflammatory course. The patient’s body temperature rises, painful sensations appear in the neck area, which can “give” to the jaw and the back of the head. There is discomfort, general malaise, swelling in the thyroid area, unpleasant, uncomfortable sensations when swallowing and turning the head. In the course of the disease, thyrotoxicosis of moderate or mild severity develops. Patients have intolerance to heat, nervousness, sweating, tremor and weakness.
Chronic thyroiditis
It may not have obvious symptoms for a long time. Gradually, there is a violation of speech, swallowing, breathing and the presence of a “lump in the throat”.
Diagnostic program for thyroiditis
Diagnosis of this ailment, in addition to collecting anamnesis and patient complaints, may include:
general blood test;
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
thyroid scintigraphy.
Treatment of thyroiditis
Thyroiditis of mild form does not require active treatment, it is enough to be observed by an endocrinologist. If necessary, NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed.
Acute thyroiditis is treated with mandatory hospitalization of the patient. Antibiotics, vitamins, antihistamines are prescribed.
In the presence of an abscess, its removal is performed surgically.
