Moving to a new town comes with a lot of tasks to get done. Not only do you have to get all of your belongings moved, but you have to make changes to your medical care facilities. So, when you get to your new home town, do you know what health care clinics you can rely on for the care of your family? Will you couple your family's healthcare with both a clinic and a PCP? This blog will give you several suggestions about how to manage the changes in your family's healthcare adaptations to ensure you receive the best possible care in your new home town.
Hyperthyroidism means that you have an overactive thyroid gland. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (low-functioning thyroid) are thought to be autoimmune diseases and are more prevalent in women. As a part of your hyperthyroidism diagnostic workup, your doctor will take a detailed medical history from you and if they believe that you may have thyroid disease, a thyroid panel blood test will be recommended. Here are some signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism your doctor may ask you about.
Eye Symptoms
An overactive thyroid gland can cause a condition known as Graves' ophthalmopathy. This condition can make your eyes feel like you have sand in them and cause grittiness and dryness. Your eyes may also become red, swollen, itchy, irritated, and sensitive to light, which is also called photophobia. Excessive tearing is also common in people with hyperthyroidism and it can become so severe that wearing contact lenses is almost unbearable.
Severe hyperthyroidism can also cause your eyes to bulge or protrude from their eye sockets, which is a condition known as exophthalmos. If you develop eye problems as a result of hyperthyroidism, your primary care doctor may refer you to an ophthalmologist, a physician specializing in eye diseases and treatments.
Cardiac And Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Because an overactive thyroid gland causes your metabolism to speed up, you may experience a rapid heart rate. In addition, your heart may feel like it is pounding out of your chest and you may also experience chest pain. Some people may perceive these symptoms as those associated with anxiety. Heart medications known as beta blockers are very effective in managing the cardiac symptoms of hyperthyroidism because they slow down the heart rate and regulate the heart rhythm.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are also common in people who have hyperthyroidism and may include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and frequent bowel movements. You may also notice that you have an increased appetite, but despite consuming more calories, you may actually lose weight as a result of your overactive thyroid and subsequent increase in your metabolic rate.
If you develop any of the above symptoms of hyperthyroidism, make an appointment with your family care doctor. Once a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism has been confirmed, your doctor will prescribe medication to help prevent your thyroid gland from producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Once your thyroid hormones have been regulated, your symptoms should start to decrease, however, complete resolution of your symptoms may take up to a couple of months.
Share7 March 2023
