What are the symptoms of third degree simple goiter

Thyroid enlargement is still a serious threat to many patients today. After many patients suffer from this disease, it affects their physical health and also affects their families. Therefore, many patients with third-degree simple thyroid enlargement want to know what the symptoms are? In order for you to understand as soon as possible, please see the answer below.

1. Enlarged thyroid gland: Visual examination may reveal a thickened neck or fullness in the front of the neck. Sometimes, in patients with diffuse goiter, when they tilt their heads back and stretch their necks, the enlarged thyroid gland may be seen to be butterfly-shaped or saddle-shaped. Palpation reveals that the surface of diffuse goiter is smooth and has a soft or tough texture. If the texture is hard, it means that the iodine deficiency is more serious or the disease has lasted for a long time. One to several nodules may be felt on the surface of nodular goiter. The surface is uneven and generally hard and non-tender. If the nodule becomes cystic and there is intracystic bleeding, sudden pain and rapid swelling of the gland may occur.

2. Dyspnea: It is a common symptom of endemic goiter, accounting for about 1/3 of patients, and is more obvious in the elderly. When the thyroid gland that surrounds the front and sides of the trachea is enlarged, it can directly compress the trachea. When the diameter of the trachea is reduced to 1/3 of the normal diameter, breathing difficulties may occur. If the trachea is under pressure for a long time, it may cause tracheal stenosis, bending, deformation, displacement or softening, which may lead to emphysema and bronchiectasis, and finally right heart hypertrophy due to pulmonary circulation disorders. If the thyroid gland is behind the sternum, it may compress the lungs when it swells excessively, causing incomplete expansion of the lungs. When the trachea is compressed and narrowed, wheezing sounds can be heard in the trachea.

3. Dysphagia: less common. It is caused by the huge thyroid gland pushing the trachea backwards and compressing the esophagus, or the swollen thyroid gland extending between the trachea and esophagus. The goiter under the tongue may affect eating and speaking due to the tongue being lifted.

4. Hoarseness: It is mainly caused by compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The main function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is to control the sensation and secretion of most laryngeal muscles and the laryngeal mucosa below the glottic fissure; its course is usually in the esophageal tracheal groove, but some are on the outside of the groove, especially the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. When the recurrent laryngeal nerve runs on the outside of the groove, it comes into very close contact with the thyroid gland, and some of it passes directly through the thyroid gland. Therefore, at this time, especially when there are hard nodules, it is easy to squeeze the recurrent laryngeal nerve and cause functional damage. In the early stage, it may manifest as mild hoarseness and irritating cough. In the late stage, severe hoarseness or even loss of voice may occur after paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. If the recurrent laryngeal nerves on both sides are paralyzed at the same time, suffocation may occur. Hoarseness can also be caused by other reasons, which can compress the laryngeal veins and make blood flow back poorly, leading to congestion and edema of the laryngeal mucosa and vocal cords.

5. Bruising and edema of the face and neck: This is caused by the enlarged thyroid gland compressing the jugular vein or the thyroid gland behind the sternum compressing the internal jugular vein or superior vena cava, which causes obstruction of blood return to the head and neck, resulting in facial edema, dilation of the superficial veins in the neck and chest, or skin petechiae.

What are the symptoms of third-degree simple goiter? The above content gives a detailed introduction. I believe you have a better understanding. This disease not only affects breathing difficulties, but also affects swallowing difficulties and hoarseness of the voice. Therefore, for many patients, after suffering from this disease, they must receive treatment as soon as possible to recover.