YOGYAKARTA - How to treat goiter with salt is often a home remedy that is widely believed by the community. This method is usually associated with the use of iodized salt to help normalize thyroid gland function. However, it is important to understand when this method is effective and when it does not benefit.
It should be understood that how to treat goiter depends on the cause and not all cases of goiter are caused by iodine deficiency. The following will discuss what goiter is, its causes, to how beryodium salt can help.
Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, goiter is a condition when the thyroid gland enlarges, both in its entirety and in the form of small lumps called nodules. Your thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in your neck, under the Adam's apple.
The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). These hormones are involved in certain body functions, including metabolism, body temperature, mood, heart rate, and digestion.
When the thyroid does not work optimally, the body will give a compensatory reaction in the form of enlargement of the gland. Therefore, goiter can appear as a sign of underlying problems in the body that need to be examined.
Symptoms of goiter include a lump in the neck, a feeling of tightness, a hoarse voice, and swelling of the blood vessels around the neck. In certain cases, sufferers also experience dizziness when raising their hands, difficulty breathing, coughing, or difficulty swallowing. Some people with goiter may also experience hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
The causes of goiter are very diverse and not always related to iodine deficiency. The most common cause is indeed iodine deficiency, where the body lacks a mineral essential for producing thyroid hormones. Without enough iodine, the thyroid works harder and enlarges as a form of compensation.
In addition, Graves' disease can cause goiter due to the immune system attacking the thyroid to trigger it to enlarge. This condition is usually accompanied by hyperthyroidism and requires special treatment. Hashimoto's disease can also trigger thyroid enlargement due to inflammation.
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Other causes include thyroid cancer, pregnancy, exposure to cigarette smoke, to hormonal disorders. Because the causes vary, not all types of goiter can be treated with iodized salt. The doctor's diagnosis is very important to determine the right treatment.
How to treat goiter with salt is effective if goiter is caused by iodine deficiency. One teaspoon of iodized salt contains about 250 micrograms of iodine per teaspoon, enough to meet the recommended daily requirement for adults of 150 micrograms.
However, the use of iodized salt must be done wisely. Adding excessive salt in pursuit of iodine intake can cause excessive sodium consumption, which has a negative impact on health such as hypertension. Just replace regular salt with iodized salt, not increasing the daily amount of salt.
It is important to understand that salt is only effective if the cause of goiter is indeed iodine deficiency. If goiter is caused by Graves, Hashimoto, thyroid cancer, or other factors, iodized salt will not help.
Therefore, although salt can be beneficial in some cases, a medical evaluation remains the main step. With medical examination, goiter can be treated according to its cause.
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