A malfunction of the thyroid gland can manifest itself through various symptoms.
The first signs include coughing and coughing.
Anyone who has a cold often suffers from an inflamed throat and throat.
Coughing and frequent clearing of the throat are the result.
Difficulty swallowing and coughing are relatively harmless in most cases.
When a mild cold is causing the lump in your throat.
But there can also be other causes behind the symptoms.
The symptoms can also indicate a disease of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid disease: Coughing and clearing your throat may indicate this
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Constant coughing and clearing your throat are not only uncomfortable, but can also indicate a serious illness.
© Imago
Similar to coughing, clearing your throat is a physiological reflex in the area of the larynx.
This reflex is often triggered by a foreign body sensation in the throat.
However, if you have to clear your throat every now and then, you are not suffering from a serious illness.
However, if the urge lasts for several days or even weeks, it is advisable to get to the bottom of the causes together with the doctor treating you.
Constant coughing and clearing your throat can be caused by chronic irritation, inflammation, but also diseases such as a malfunctioning thyroid gland.
With an iodine deficiency or an underactive thyroid, the thyroid gland is enlarged and thus narrows the narrow space in the throat.
Patients therefore often report a "lump in their throat" that they want to get rid of by clearing their throat.
In addition to coughing and coughing, patients with thyroid dysfunction often suffer from hoarseness and a hoarse voice.
Thyroid dysfunction needs to be treated
Difficulty swallowing, a feeling of pressure and tightness in the throat, and constant clearing and coughing can indicate a changed thyroid gland.
If corresponding symptoms occur over a longer period of time, an ear, nose and throat doctor should therefore be consulted.
This can clarify whether there is an altered thyroid gland.
“Patients with thyroid inflammation or dysfunction also more frequently suffer from a compulsive cough, coughing, hoarseness and a hoarse voice.
Furthermore, if they are hypoactive, for example, they are often listless and constantly tired," explains Dr.
Doris Hartwig-Bade, Vice President of the German Professional Association of Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians.
The following symptoms indicate goiter or nodules in the thyroid gland:
Swelling of the lower neck, sometimes unilaterally
A lump, pressure or tightness in the throat
difficulties swallowing
shortness of breath
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Be sure to get treatment for an enlarged thyroid
In order to clarify the cause behind the symptoms, the doctor first examines the neck and throat area thoroughly.
If a thyroid dysfunction is suspected, an ultrasound examination of the butterfly-shaped organ can quickly provide information about an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
A blood or antibody test can confirm the diagnosis.
If the suspicion of a thyroid change or a nodular goiter is confirmed, this can usually be brought under control with appropriate drug treatment.
If goiter is detected early, the disease can usually be treated well.
The focus of therapy is to alleviate the symptoms, normalize the production of thyroid hormones and reduce the risk of thyroid cancer.
It may be necessary to take iodine, special thyroid medication or an operation.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
List of rubrics: © Imago
