What is thick neck? Causes of thick neck

Thick neck is a symptom of thyroid enlargement and nodules. Suffering from thyroid enlargement will easily lead to symptoms such as thick neck, swollen face, bulging eyes, weight loss, increased appetite, etc., which are very harmful to health. There are many causes of thyroid problems. Generally, it is caused by long-term iodine deficiency in the body. Iodine is very important for the human body. Iodine deficiency in the body in life will easily lead to abnormal thyroid hormones and symptoms of thyroid enlargement. It is generally common in young and middle-aged people, which will lead to abnormal metabolism, easily compress the esophagus, and easily cause suffocation.

What is thick neck disease

1. Iodine deficiency: It is one of the main causes of endemic goiter. The fact that the iodine content in the soil, water and food in endemic areas is inversely proportional to the incidence of goiter and that iodized salt can prevent goiter proves that iodine deficiency is an important cause of goiter. In addition, the body's increased need for thyroid hormones can cause relative iodine deficiency, such as during the growth and development period, pregnancy, breastfeeding, cold, infection, trauma and mental stimulation, which can aggravate or induce goiter.

2. Goitrogenic substances: Radish foods contain thiourea-type goitrogenic substances. Soybeans and cabbage also contain certain substances that can inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones, causing goiter. The content of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc in soil and drinking water is also related to the occurrence of goiter. Some endemic areas lack the above elements except iodine. In some areas, the incidence of goiter is directly proportional to the hardness of drinking water. Drugs such as potassium thiocyanate, potassium perchlorate, para-aminosalicylic acid, thiouracil, sulfonamides, phenylbutazone, colchicine, etc. can hinder the synthesis and release of thyroid hormone, thereby causing goiter.

3. Hormone synthesis disorder: The cause of familial goiter is hereditary enzyme defects, which cause hormone synthesis disorders. For example, lack of peroxidase and deiodinase affects the synthesis of thyroid hormone, or lack of hydrolase makes it difficult to separate thyroid hormone from thyroglobulin and release it into the blood, which can lead to goiter.

Symptoms of nodular goiter

The incidence of nodular goiter is higher in women than in men. It usually occurs during adolescence and often appears at school age in endemic areas. Goiters vary in size and shape. In the early stage, the swelling is diffuse and often symmetrical on both sides; in the later stage, when nodules are formed, the two sides are often asymmetrical. Nodular goiter may be accompanied by cystic changes. If it is complicated by intracystic bleeding, the nodule may rapidly increase in size in a short period of time and cause pain. The surface of the gland is generally flat and soft; when swallowing, the gland moves up and down with the larynx and trachea.

Nodular goiter generally does not present functional changes, and the patient's basal metabolic rate is normal; however, when the nodules are large, they may compress the trachea, esophagus, blood vessels, nerves, etc., causing the following symptoms:

1) Compression of trachea: more common. If compression comes from one side, the trachea will shift or bend to the other side; if compression comes from both sides, the trachea will be narrowed and breathing will be difficult, which is especially serious when there is a goiter behind the sternum. Long-term pressure on the tracheal wall can cause tracheal softening and lead to suffocation.

2) Compression of esophagus: rare. Only a substernal goiter may compress the esophagus, causing discomfort during swallowing but not obstructive symptoms.

3) Compression of the large veins deep in the neck: may cause difficulty in blood return to the head and neck. This situation is more common in large goiters located at the upper opening of the thorax, especially those behind the sternum. The patient's face was swollen with bluish purple color, and the superficial veins in the neck and chest were significantly dilated.