How to Prevent Goiter? – You can prevent goiter by consuming enough iodine. Table salt is a source of iodine that you can take advantage of. Apart from that, there are other ways to prevent goiter as follows.
Definition of Goiter
Goiter is one of the thyroid disorders . Iodine deficiency is the main cause of goiter. When you don’t have enough iodine in your body, your thyroid will work extra hard to make thyroid hormone. This condition causes the thyroid gland to grow larger or become swollen. Goiter can attack anyone. However, research shows that women are more prone to goiter.
How to Prevent Goiter
For some people, the swelling that occurs may not be painful. However, it can cause discomfort and other symptoms such as coughing, snoring, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. Therefore, preventive measures must be taken. There are various ways to prevent it, including:
1. Consume enough iodine
Goiter is often triggered by iodine deficiency. So, to meet your iodine needs, you can get it through salt. You can use salt by making it a flavoring ingredient in cooking or food. However, pay attention to the amount of intake, don’t consume too much. Because excess iodine can trigger other diseases. Make sure to consume sufficient amounts of iodine. Apart from salt, you can also get iodine intake from fish, shellfish, yoghurt and some vegetables.
2. Take advantage of garlic
Garlic is a flavoring ingredient that is widely used in various dishes. Consuming garlic is thought to help prevent and treat various diseases. For example, to treat flu , control blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease , and help prevent goiter. Garlic is known to stimulate glutathione production in the body. Glutathione consists of selenium which is needed by the thyroid gland to function optimally.
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Avoiding Risk Factors that Cause Goiter
Some risk factors for goiter that you need to avoid include:
1. Smoking
Cigarettes contain thiocyanate which has a negative impact on the thyroid gland. Thiocyanate will interfere with the process of absorbing iodine by the thyroid gland. Over time, this condition causes enlargement of the thyroid gland and triggers goiter.
2. Medicines
Consuming certain medications can trigger goiter. These drugs are like lithium drugs, which are drugs used to treat certain mental conditions and other medical conditions. In addition, heart medications such as amiodarone can also increase the risk. Therefore, when you take medication, make sure you get a recommendation from a doctor to find out the side effects.
3. Radiation Exposure
Continuous exposure to radiation can disrupt the function of the thyroid gland. As a result, the thyroid gland will be disturbed and trigger goiter. This condition generally occurs in those who undergo radiation therapy to the neck and chest. However, this condition cannot occur immediately.
It takes a long time and usually occurs in those who receive radiation therapy for a long period of time. Consult a doctor if you have to undergo radiation therapy to avoid its possible effects.
You can do various ways to prevent goiter. Starting from consuming enough iodine, using garlic, and avoiding the causes. However, if you experience symptoms of goiter such as swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and coughing. Immediately consult a doctor to get proper care and treatment. That’s a review of how to prevent goiter.
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