The link between stress and your thyroid

In the current life, Stress seems to be too common in all working, working and studying subjects. Not only can stress be devastating to your overall health and well-being, but it can also affect the state of your thyroid gland.

Thyroid disease or hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to supply the body. Hypothyroidism often shows no symptoms in its early stages. However, over time, going untreated can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, heart disease, and infertility.
Signs and symptoms of thyroid disease vary depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency and usually develop slowly, lasting for many years.
Initially, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are barely visible. Patients may be fatigued and have slight weight gain. Symptoms that many people mistake for old age. But as metabolism continues to be affected by thyroid hormone deficiency, signs and symptoms begin to appear with greater frequency and clarity, including:
Persistent fatigue, Cause unknown Sensitivity to low temperatures Constipation Dry skin, eyes, mucous membranes

Weight gain Signs of edema in the head, face, neck Hoarseness of voice Muscle pain, muscle weakness, easy spasticity High blood cholesterol level Abnormalities in the menstrual cycle in women Hair loss Slow heart rate More than usual Feelings of restlessness, anxiety, memory impairment Goiter Although thyroid disease is common in adults, especially in perimenopausal and menopausal women, anyone Even babies can get this disease, babies are no exception. Initially, newborns with hypothyroidism show a few signs and symptoms including:
Jaundice, yellow eyes: In most cases of newborns with hypothyroidism, the liver is unable to metabolize bilirubin because the liver is not able to metabolize bilirubin. Receiving hormones that support this process from the thyroid gland leads to yellowing of the skin and eyes. Difficulty breathing, crying without sound Umbilical hernia

As the disease progresses, the child has difficulty in eating, the body does not grow and develop normally along with some symptoms:
Constipation Fatigue, underdeveloped muscles When Untreated neonatal thyroid conditions, even mild cases, can lead to severe mental and physical retardation. For adolescents, thyroid diseases in addition to similar signs and symptoms in adults can also appear with some additional conditions such as:
Lack of thyroid hormone affects the development of Physical conditions make the child's height not guaranteed. Teeth are delayed. Puberty is delayed. Poor mental development. Hypothyroidism is a relatively dangerous disease, so in addition to regular health check-ups, it is necessary to see a doctor to Diagnosed if there are some symptoms such as feeling tired often for no apparent reason, dry skin, pale mucous membranes, appearance of swelling in the head, face, neck, constipation...

Stress is a biological response that occurs when the body encounters threats, worries or major challenges in life that cause hormone levels to skyrocket. Stress activates the body's response to the triggers that lead to anxiety and stress, helping the body to balance and relax. However, when stress is constantly present, this mechanism gradually becomes ineffective and stress will cause negative effects on the body's long-term health.
Stress includes 3 types:
Acute Stress : Can happen to everyone. Acute stress is the body's immediate response to stressors. They usually do not adversely affect health and even have a good effect in some cases. Acute stress helps to train the ability to withstand pressure in the future. When the stressors stop working, the body quickly returns to its normal state. trauma or other mental health problems. Severe acute stress often happens to people who have had traffic accidents, work accidents, assaults, assassinations....

Chronic stress or prolonged stress : A condition in which the body often has to face stressors for a long time. Chronic stress causes negative health effects such as: Increased feelings of anxiety, fear Is a risk of cardiovascular diseases Causes high blood pressure, especially in the elderly, Weakens the system In addition, prolonged stress also leads to symptoms such as headache, stomach pain, difficulty sleeping ...

The thyroid gland works in tandem with the adrenal glands. When the body is exposed to stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol, a hormone that helps balance stress and minimize stress-induced damage.
The most common thyroid disorder is an autoimmune process where the body's immune system misunderstands and destroys the thyroid's own cells.
The effects of stress on the thyroid gland occur through a mechanism that slows down the body's metabolism. As thyroid function declines, levels of the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) also decrease.
Insulin resistance and problems with blood sugar balance are common in hypothyroidism. When stressed, glucocorticoid levels increase, reducing the concentration of TSH hormone in the blood, causing the thyroid gland to malfunction.
Studies to find a link between stress and thyroid diseases are difficult to do because prolonged stress can cause many other health problems than just the thyroid. Meanwhile, a patient with hypothyroidism may feel irritable and tired all the time. This situation prolongs their stress. In general, stress and thyroid diseases always have interactions with each other.

To reduce the impact of stress on health in general and with thyroid in particular, experts recommend making some simple changes such as:
Eat healthy: A balanced diet, Having enough fruits, vegetables and protein, besides limiting alcohol, beer and stimulants will help ensure a healthy body and limit the risk of stress. Also try to take the time to sit and enjoy the meals of the day, this helps the digestive system and partly the thyroid gland to work better. Supplement some vitamins A, B, C, E and minerals such as Selenium, Zinc, Copper, Iron and especially iodine. Iodine deficiency is one of the causes of hypothyroidism. Relaxation: This is the most effective stress reliever. After hours of hard work, it is advisable to spend time relaxing with family and friends, playing sports or practicing yoga to help calm the mind, reduce stress as well as adverse effects on the thyroid gland.

Stress is one of the psychological syndromes that are increasingly common in the world. They cause severe effects on general health. Stress and thyroid-related diseases are interrelated. In hypothyroidism, due to a disorder in the production of hormones, the patient's body is always in a state of fatigue and anxiety, which easily leads to stress.
On the contrary, when under prolonged stress, the activity of the endocrine glands, especially the pituitary gland - the organ that contributes to the regulation of the thyroid gland is stopped, leading to disorders from the thyroid gland.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.
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Articles refer to sources: mayoclinic.org, healthline.com