Are you or your loved ones experiencing swelling in the neck along with other symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or a feeling of tightness in the throat? This could be due to the swelling in your Thyroid gland, caused by a thyroid nodule. The good news is that swelling in the neck caused by thyroid-related issues is generally treatable and can be managed. From lifestyle changes, to surgeries, there is a wide range of options available for the treatment of neck swelling due to thyroid nodules. Advancements in medicine and technology have also given rise to more advanced and effective treatment options like Thyroid Nodule Ablation, which can treat this condition without surgery. In this article, we will discuss in detail about the problem of thyroid nodules and the treatment options available, so that you can take a well-informed decision as to how you need to proceed with the Thyroid neck swelling in your case.
What are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are small, unusual growths or lumps in your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is important because it produces hormones which control various aspects of your body, including metabolism, body temperature, mood and excitability, digestion and more. Thyroid nodules in a person’s thyroid gland can be classified into various types including:
- Solitary nodule (A single nodule)
- Multinodular (More than one nodule)
- Cystic Nodule (Fluid-filled nodules)
- Solid Nodules
Generally, these nodules are non-cancerous. Around 90% of the thyroid nodules found in adults are not cancerous, however, they can be a sign of Thyroid cancer in some cases. In other cases where they are benign, they can a sign as well as the cause for some or the other type of thyroid disease.
Often these Thyroid nodules do not cause any symptoms. However, sometimes they can grow large enough to cause a wide range of symptoms including:
- Difficulty with breathing or swallowing
- Changes in the voice or hoarseness
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Goitre (Enlargement of the thyroid gland)
Thyroid Nodules can also cause symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, constipation, or depression, due to the low levels of thyroid hormone.
Who is at risk for thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules can happen to anyone at any age. It can occur in children as well as adults. However, these nodules are around four times more common in women as compared to men. Also, in the countries where food isn’t fortified with Iodine, the cases of thyroid nodules are more common, as iodine is essential for the thyroid gland to function properly and produce hormones. Apart from these factors, there are certain other factors that can increase the risk of thyroid nodules, including:
- Family history of thyroid nodules or Neck thyroid cancer
- Iron deficiency or anemia
- Increasing Age
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Uterine Fibroids
With all these risk factors, thyroid nodules are a relatively common occurrence in adults. Children report lower cases of thyroid nodules. As stated above, most of the thyroid nodules are benign and not cancerous. However, you should always book an appointment with your Thyroid doctor near me, to make sure that it is not cancerous. Mostly, these thyroid nodules are not even noticeable. Sometimes they can be large enough to cause a swelling and be visible, while in other instances, they can be found by your healthcare provider during some other physical examination or tests. They can also be detected during an imaging test.
What is thyroid nodule ablation?
Thyroid Nodule Ablation in radiology refers to a minimally invasive procedure performed by a radiologist which uses the technique of radiofrequency ablation to destroy the Thyroid nodules. This technique effectively generates heat within the nodule using radiowaves which helps in shrinking the nodule and provides relief against the symptoms of Thyroid neck swelling. This treatment method has been gaining widespread popularity among the healthcare professionals and patients because of its non-invasive nature, as an alternative to Thyroid gland surgery for benign nodules. This method involves the insertion of a thin needle with the help of ultrasound visuals and delivering the heat to the nodule in order to shrink it. This technique is becoming popular because of the range of advantages it offers:
- It is minimally invasive and often performed as an outpatient procedure
- It successfully preserves the healthy thyroid tissues
- It does not leave behind any scars, hence, no cosmetic compromise
- Gives highly effective and precise results for benign thyroid nodules
If you are looking for the best Thyroid doctor near me or Thyroid specialist near me, you have just reached the right destination. Sohana Hospital Mohali, with its world-class cutting-edge technology and Tri-city’s most trusted specialists in the field of Endocrinology and Interventional Radiology, provides the most holistic and comprehensive treatment for all the problems of the thyroid gland, including thyroid nodules. Contact our experts today and take the first step towards a healthier future!