“An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can cause a fast heartbeat, trouble sleeping, and weight loss. In some people, the condition may trigger the heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation.”

HarvardMedicalSchool (www.health.harvard.edu)

“Women are much more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism. The disease is also more common among people older than age 60.”

NIH National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases

“The thyroid gland is regulated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones and secrete them into the blood. The thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism and can affect cholesterol levels.”

American Thyroid Association (www.thyroid.org)

There is an alarming number of people in America that have issues with their thyroid, in fact it’s a huge number, around 59 million people suffer from a thyroid problem. A thyroid handles your metabolism and is a gland located in the neck area. It can have huge negative affects on your health if it is not treated properly. Many people aren’t even aware that they have any symptoms that are connected with a thyroid; but before going into the problems lets first talk about what the thyroid is.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the base of your neck. It releases hormones that control metabolism—the way your body uses energy. The thyroid’s hormones regulate vital body functions, including:

• Breathing, Heart rate, Central and peripheral nervous systems, Body weight, Muscle strength
• Menstrual cycles, Body temperature, Cholesterol levels & Much more! Did you know this?

How the Thyroid Gland Works:

• The thyroid gland is about 2-inches long and lies in front of your throat below the prominence of thyroid cartilage sometimes called the Adam’s apple. The thyroid has two sides called lobes that lie on either side of your windpipe, and is usually connected by a strip of thyroid tissue known as an isthmus. Some people do not have an isthmus, and instead have two separate thyroid lobes.

• The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which is made up of glands that produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream so the hormones can reach the body’s cells. The thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you eat to make two main hormones:

• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Thyroxine (T4)The hypothalamus senses low circulating levels of thyroid hormone (Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4)) and responds by releasing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). The TRH stimulates the pituitary telling it to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); releasing it in the blood.
• It is important that T3 and T4 levels are neither too high nor too low. Two glands in the brain—the hypothalamus and the pituitary communicate to maintain T3 and T4 balance.
• When T3 and T4 levels are low in the blood, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to tell the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones.  If T3 and T4 levels are high, the pituitary gland releases less TSH to the thyroid gland to slow production of these hormones.  The thyroid cells take up iodine with and are able to store it up in great quantities.  T3 and T4 travel in your bloodstream to reach almost every cell in the body. The hormones regulate the speed with which the cells/metabolism work. For example, T3 and T4 regulate your heart rate and how fast your intestines process food. So if T3 and T4 levels are low, your heart rate may be slower than normal, and you may have constipation/weight gain. If T3 and T4 levels are high, you may have a rapid heart rate and diarrhea/weight loss.

“Approximately 150,000 children are born every year in the United States affected by one or more birth defects. Although the cause of over 60% of birth defects are not known, there are things that you can do to help ensure optimal health for your baby.”

Americanpregnancy.org

“Folic acid is B vitamin that every cell in your body needs for normal growth and development.  Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects in your baby. Before pregnancy, take a multivitamin that has 400 micrograms (also called mcg) of folic acid in it every day.  During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin that has 600 mcg of folic acid in it every day.  Take a multivitamin with folic acid every day, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.”

“There are effective measures that can be taken to prevent concussions during winter sports activities. Concussions should be taken seriously because they can result to long-term and permanent health issues.   Here are simple tips for preventing head injuries when participating in winter sports: 1-Wear approved, properly fitted and well-maintained safety equipment like helmets.  2-Stipulate safety rules like no direct hits to the head or other dangerous play.  3-Encourage safe playing techniques and encourage individuals to strictly follow rules of play during winter sports activities.”

ConsumerHealthDigest

“Total Brian Injury (TBI) is a quiet crisis. As many as 3.2 million Americans are living with a permanent disability resulting from a brain injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 1.7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Fifty-two thousand people die from it. Almost a quarter-million people are hospitalized.”

BrainLine.org (All about Brain Injury and PTSD)

“The only way to determine if a radon exposure exists is to test for it. Having your school tested for radon is something you may want to discuss with your school officials. Because as real as the threat of radon is, the good news is that the problem can be solved.”

EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

“Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans – more than cataracts & glaucoma combined.”

American Macular Degeneration  Foundation AMDF