Severe hypothyroidism can give rise to serious side effects like life threatening myxedema coma. When properly diagnosed severe hypothyroidism can be completely treated and the symptoms and the side effects can be totally alleviated.
The basic cause of hypothyroidism is low levels of thyroxine hormone. Hormone replacement therapy with synthetic or natural hormone sources can completely control the condition. However the treatment may have to be continued life long.
Early symptoms
The common early symptoms are listed below:
Cold intolerance
Heavier menstrual periods
Severe constipation
Depression
Dry hair
Dry skin
Fatigue and weakness
Sleepiness
Weight gain
Body-ache
Depression
Brittle finger nails
Hypothyroidism as a side effect of certain health conditions and medications.
Following health conditions and medications have been found to cause the deficiency in the hormone production:
Adrenal insufficiency
Congenital hypothyroidism
Environmental stress
Excess estrogen
Auto-immunity
Destruction of the pituitary gland
Homeostatic stress
Iodine deficiency
Radiation treatments
Cancer and cancer treatments
Treatment of hyperthyroidism
Surgical removal the gland
Cold
Respiratory infection
Viral infections of the glands
Lithium-based mood stabilizers
Amiodarone
Interferon alpha
Interleukin-2
Thalidomide.
Symptoms of severe hypothyroidism are:
Hoarse voice
Puffiness of face, hands and feet
Slow speech
Thick skin
Thinning outer eyebrows.
Severe hypothyroidism and myxedema
In this situation of severe hypothyroidism, symptoms like low body temperature, decreased rate of breathing, low blood pressure and low blood glucose are seen.
Myxedema coma is the serious side effect of very low levels of the hormone. This is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization and intensive care treatment.
Side effects of hypothyroidism medication.
Thyroxine, triiodothyronine or desiccated gland extract are prescribed for treatment and control the hormone deficiency. One of the side effects is over-treatment resulting in hyperthyroidism. Side effects like palpitations, tremor, restlessness and severe profuse sweating are encountered when the dosage of the medication is high.
Chronic sinusitis refers to persisting inflammation of the sinuses and its treatment with recently developed balloon sinuplasty appears promising.
Endoscopic balloon sinuplasty procedure is similar to angioplasty and is less invasive than conventional surgical treatments for chronic sinusitis aka chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Balloon sinuplasty procedure for sinusitis treatment helps in improving the normal drainage of the sinus cavities. drainage passages are widened and enlarged with a small, flexible endoscopic balloon catheter. Unlike the conventional surgical treatment for chronic sinusitis, balloon sinuplasty procedure does not involve bone and tissue removal and has a shorter recovery period.
There are small paranasal cavities in the skull on the facial region and they are lined by mucus membrane and are filled with air.
Mucus is discharged from these cavities into the nasal passage through ostia (opening).
Sinusitis is the chronic inflammation of these cavities.
The primary cause of chronic sinusitis is nasal inflammation blocking the mucus drainage, leading to infection, inflammation and pain in these cavities.
If the sinusitis persists for more than twelve weeks, it is considered chronic.
Untreated acute sinusitis can become chronic.
Triggers and predisposing factors for chronic sinusitis.
The predisposing factors and triggers of sinusitis are:
allergies to environmental pollutants,
common cold,
Cystic fibrosis,
asthma,
inflammatory disorders,
seasonal temperature changes,
viral, bacterial and fungal infections,
defective structure of nasal passage like deviated septum,
nasal polyps blocking the mucus drainage and
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Conventional treatments for chronic sinusitis
Sinusitis is a much prevalent illness, affecting individuals of all age groups. Treatment with anti-inflammatory medicine, painkillers and antibiotics are considered for sinusitis.
Nasal sprays and drops: Saline nasal sprays, corticosteroid nasal sprays or corticosteroid nasal drops are recommended by physicians to clear the blocks of ostia and also to reduce inflammation in the early stages of chronic sinusitis.
Though nasal sprays containing Zinc compounds have been used successfully for sinusitis, FDA has advised against their use. The zinc nasal compounds can damage the sense of smell by permanently damaging the smell nerve endings.
Steam inhalation treatment: Breathing steam has been found useful in treatment of sinusitis controlling inflammation and opening up the blocked ostia.
Antimicrobial treatment: The physician may consider treatment with antibacterial (amoxicillin, doxycycline or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) or antifungal preparations (amphotericin B) if an infection is the cause of chronic sinusitis.
Nasal irrigation: Flushing out the nasal passage with sterile saline water with the help of bulb syringes or neti pots help in relieving the pressure, blockage and pain.
Surgical options
For patients with chronic sinusitis if the response to conventional treatment is not satisfactory, there are two surgical options available.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): FESS is the conventional surgical treatment involving removal of bone and/or tissues to make wide passage for the cavity to drain. This surgical procedure requires hospitalization, rest and a long recovery period.
Balloon sinus dilation (BSD) or balloon sinuplasty: This procedure introduced in 2005 is the latest non invasive method for the treatment of chronic sinusitis. The advantage of BSD lies in minimal anesthetic use, short procedure time and fast return to normal activities.
Equipment for balloon sinuplasty: A flexible endoscope (Rhinoscope or Nasoscope), guide catheter, balloon catheter and irrigation catheter are used while performing this procedure.
Balloon sinuplasty procedure
Ct scan and endoscopic visualization is done prior to sinuplasty.
With endoscopic visualization a guide catheter is introduced into sinus opening.
Once access to the ostium of the cavity under treatment is located, a balloon catheter is positioned into the blocked ostium.
Balloon sinuplasty catheter is inflated for short duration with predetermined pressure.
The sinuplasty balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed after treatment.
If irrigation system incorporated into the balloon sinuplasty catheter, irrigation is activated to flush out the mucus and pus, if any.
If the balloon sinuplasty catheter is not equipped with irrigation system, a separate irrigation catheter has to be inserted to flush out the cavity of its accumulated mucus.
When sinusitis becomes chronic, it is very difficult to avoid recurrences. Taking preventive measures and also early treatment with balloon sinuplasty will go a long way in alleviating the severity of chronic sinusitis.
