Goiter - How Can Homeopathy Handle It?

Abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, is known as goiter. Goiters usually do not cause pain, but if the size is too large it can cause coughing, breathing, and swallowing difficulty.

Goiter is caused by a deficiency of iodine in the diet. It may also be caused by hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. However, symptoms may depend on how the abnormality has developed. Though the symptoms of goiter are ambiguous because of the swelling at the base of the neck, there may also be other symptoms.

Symptoms:

People suffering from goiter don’t always show symptoms. If there are symptoms, it may include:

1. Swelling at the base of the neck that does not cause any pain

2. Tightness around the throat

3. Coughing and hoarseness

4. Difficulty in swallowing and breathing

Risk Factors:

Risk factors for Goitre include:

1. Being Female: Women are more susceptible to thyroid disorders and are more likely to develop this disease.

2. Age: Goiter mostly attacks after 40 years of age.

3. Medical History: A family history of autoimmune disorders may enhance the risk.

4. Certain Medications: Certain medicines like those for the heart as well as some psychiatric drugs increase the risk of goiter.

5. Radiation Exposure: Risk of goiter is more in patients undergoing radiation treatment to the neck or chest area.

Treatment:

If the swelling is small and does not bother much, the doctor may decide to just wait and watch for changes, if any. In case of severe swelling, the doctor may go for:

1. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Doctors resort to this treatment, especially if hypothyroidism is detected to be the source of goiter. If hyperthyroidism is found to be the source of goiter, doctors resort to other medicines.

2. Radioactive iodine treatment is done to kill thyroid cells and shrink the gland. After this treatment, the patient may need to undergo hormone replacement therapy.

3. Doctors may go for surgery and remove a part of the thyroid gland, if the goiter is large, causing swallowing and breathing problems. Surgery is also done to remove thyroid gland nodules and if there is evidence of cancer.

Despite all these treatment options it must be said that the treatment for goiter is extensive, expensive and often, lifelong. This calls for alternative treatment. Homeopathy has come up as a good alternative to traditional medicine.

Homeopathy For Goitre:

Homeopathy works by restoring the imbalance of hormones. Since imbalance of thyroid hormones is often responsible for goiter, homeopathy can work wonders for goiter. If the goiter is due to inflammation of the thyroid gland, homeopathy can work well since this branch of medicine has many medicines for curing inflammation of tissues. In fact, homeopathy can treat many thyroid gland problems. Homeopathic treatment can stimulate homeostasis in the human body and bring about a balance of systems. This is what one needs in treating most of the cases of goiter.