Could You Wind Up in the Eye of a Deadly "Thyroid Storm"?

Don’t miss any of HealthyWoman from Bottom Line. Add our address, HealthyWomanfromBottomLine@news.bottomlinepublishing.com, to your Address Book or Safe List. Learn how here. September 15, 2011  Could You Wind Up in the Eye of a Deadly "Thyroid Storm"? Tumors Dried Up and Gone in 2 Months Sex During a Yeast Infection: Icky or OK? Secret to Reversing Arthritis Pain Fascinating Facts   Could You Wind Up in the Eye of a Deadly "Thyroid Storm"? You’ve heard of rainstorms and snowstorms and even sandstorms... but have you ever heard of a thyroid storm? Like a severe weather system, a thyroid storm can develop quite suddenly—and it can have deadly consequences, particularly if it is not recognized immediately and treated aggressively, according to Rebecca S. Bahn, MD, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic and task force chair for the American Thyroid Association. Though a thyroid storm is fairly rare, its high mortality rate makes it vital to understand what the condition is and whether you or someone you love might be at risk. WHAT GIVES RISE TO THE STORM The thyroid gland at the base of the neck produces hormones called T3 and T4 that regulate metabolism, or the way the body’s cells use energy. For various reasons, in some people, the thyroid produces or releases too much T3 and T4, a condition called hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, weight loss, nervousness, increased sweating and irregular menstrual periods. An estimated two million Americans have hyperthyroidism, though many are undiagnosed... and according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, women are five to 10 times more likely than men to develop the condition. People with hyperthyroidism are the ones vulnerable to having a thyroid storm—among that group, approximately 1% to 2% will experience this crisis at some point, Dr. Bahn said. A thyroid storm can occur when, due to any of various triggers (outlined below), patients with already high thyroid hormone levels become more sensitive to the accompanying outpouring of catecholamines (stress-response hormones). This creates an acute hypermetabolic state (in which the metabolic rate is excessive) that can lead to extremely high fever, very rapid and irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure and buildup of fluid in the lungs. "Death can occur in some 90% of patients in whom the thyroid storm diagnosis is missed. With early diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate declines to about 20%," Dr. Bahn said. Thyroid storm can develop when a hyperthyroid patient... Is not being adequately treated for hyperthyroidism. Stops taking his or her propylthiouracil or methimazole (Tapazole) antithyroid medication. Receives radioactive iodine therapy for treatment of hyperthyroidism (though this is rare). Has uncontrolled diabetes. Undergoes major surgery. Experiences medical trauma. Has a serious infection, especially of the lung. Suffers a heart attack. Has a severe reaction to a medication. Goes through complicated childbirth. Prevention: Patients with hyperthyroidism can lower their risk for a deadly storm by never altering or halting their antithyroid medication without a doctor’s OK and by refraining from strenuous exercise until their hyperthyroidism is under control. MAKING IT THROUGH THE STORM If a thyroid storm does develop, survival requires immediate medical attention, Dr. Bahn emphasized—so people who have hyperthyroidism (and their loved ones) must be on the lookout for the warning signs. The more of the following symptoms a person has, the more critical it is to get to a hospital emergency room. Watch for the sudden appearance of... High fever Confusion, disorientation, agitation, anxiety Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea Rapid or irregular heartbeat Chest pain Shortness of breath Heavy sweating, flushing Extreme weakness, fatigue Tremor, seizure Treatment advances: In the past, a thyroid storm was virtually always fatal. "But in the last 20 to 30 years, we’ve developed good treatments for it. We basically hit it from all directions," Dr. Bahn said. Typically, a patient receives an arsenal of drugs, including various intravenous medications to block thyroid hormone production... potassium iodide to prevent hormone release... beta-blockers to control heart rate and halt the action of the thyroid hormones on the body’s cells... and fever reducers to bring down body temperature. Intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen and cooling blankets may be used. In addition, measures are taken to control any underlying condition that contributed to the thyroid storm. An intensive care unit stay of several days usually is necessary. Then the patient follows up with her doctor in the weeks after the episode to make sure that her hyperthyroidism is very well controlled henceforth—so that no repeat thyroid storm threatens in the future. Source: Rebecca S. Bahn, MD, is a professor of medicine in the division of endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism and nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She also is past president of the American Thyroid Association and chair of a task force creating new guidelines for the treatment of hyperthyroidism from the American Thyroid Association (www.Thyroid.org) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (www.aace.com). She has authored more than 100 professional articles on thyroid disorders. Tumors Dried Up and Gone in 2 Months "Within two months, every tumor had shrunk, dried up and fallen off," said Tom to Dr. Gary Null about the miraculous disappearance of his rapidly spreading cancer. Tom had already gone through surgery once for skin cancer on his forehead. Unfortunately, his skin cancer was melanoma. Just 10 days after the operation, the cancer was back with a vengeance. It reappeared on his forehead, and quickly spread to his arm, upper body and chest. Four doctors all agreed: There was nothing they could do to cure this cancer. They all still wanted to operate. But Tom wanted to live—not just get sliced up. Read on... Sex During a Yeast Infection: Icky or OK? Q: Is it all right to have sex while I have a vaginal yeast infection? A: It’s not a great idea. For one thing, a yeast infection usually causes vaginal tissues to become red, swollen, itchy and dry. When you add the friction of intercourse, odds are that you’ll experience an uncomfortable burning sensation... and vaginal tissues may develop tiny tears that slightly increase your risk of contracting a blood-borne sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV or hepatitis B or C. There is also a chance that the yeast infection could spread to your partner. And if you are being treated for the infection with antifungal vaginal cream, sex will be messy. So, overall, it is better to wait to have sex until your treatment is done. Over-the-counter and prescription antifungal vaginal preparations typically require three to seven days of use to clear the infection. If you or your partner cannot wait that long, the oral prescription medication fluconazole (Diflucan) is available as a single-dose pill. Two days after you have taken it, the yeast should be gone and you can have sex again—comfortably. Caution: Oral antifungals carry a small risk of causing liver problems, so if you develop jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), dark urine, flulike symptoms and/or abdominal pain, alert your doctor. Source: Cherie A. LeFevre, MD, is an associate professor of gynecology and director of the Vulvar and Vaginal Disorders Specialty Center at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Secret to Reversing Arthritis Pain Joseph couldn’t walk a step without limping when Mark Stengler, NMD, first saw him. For years, his osteoarthritis had been steadily getting worse. Now his painkillers were giving him ulcers, the agony was unbearable, and he envisioned a knee replacement in the near future. But Dr. Stengler did not give him steroids or even an aspirin tablet! Instead, he told Joe about a natural compound so harmless, even pregnant women can take it safely. Just two days later, his pain had already faded dramatically... Read on... Fascinating Facts 8.7%... US adults who experienced a specific phobia—such as a fear of heights, spiders or flying—within the previous 12 months. Source: National Institute of Mental Health 21.2%... Suicides in the US that are committed by females. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 34.7%... American adolescents (ages 12 to 17) who, having had major depressive episodes in the previous year, actually received the treatment they needed for their depression. Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration    Tamara Eberlein, the editor of HealthyWoman from Bottom Line, has been a health journalist for nearly three decades. An award-winning author or coauthor of four books, she is committed to helping other women in midlife and beyond live healthy, fulfilling lives. Her latest book is the updated, third edition of When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads (HarperCollins). She is also the "chief health adviser" to her husband of 26 years and three college-age children.    BOTTOMLINESECRETS.COM Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy About Us Contact US Bottom Line Publications | 281 Tresser Boulevard, 8th Floor | Stamford, CT 06901 You received this free E-letter because you have requested it. You are on the mailing list as healthwellness82@gmail.com. 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