Diseases

A goitre, or goiter, also called a bronchocele, is a swelling of the thyroid gland.

Persons most commonly affected: Women are more prone to this disease.
Organ or part of body involved: Thyroid Gland
Symptoms and indications: The first symptoms of Goitre usually appear as emotional upsets, which are almost unnoticed. The spells of these upsets gradually increase in duration,. Subsequently, other symptoms also appear. These include loss of power of concentration, depression and weeping. The patient appears to be very easily irritated. The approach of a nervous breakdown is often suspected.

The thyroid gland may swell but this has no relation to the severity of the disease. There is a rapid, though regular, heartbeat. In most cases, there may be a tremor of the hands and a feeling of extreme tiredness, together with a lack of power to make any real muscular effort. The eyes may incline to protrude. A most alarming symptom of Goitre is the loss of weight, which no treatment seems to check it.
Causes and risk factors: Worldwide, the most common cause for goiter is iodine deficiency.
Prevention: The real treatment for goitre should be directed towards cleansing of the system and adoption of a rational dietary thereafter, combined with adequate rest and relaxation. To begin with, juices of fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple and grapes may be taken every two or three hours from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. for five days. The bowels should be cleansed daily with lukewarm water.

After the juice fast, the patient may spend further three days on fruits and milk, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits such as apple, pineapple, grapes, papaya with a glass "I milk, at five-hourly intervals. Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. The emphasis should be on fresh fruits and raw or lightly cooked vegetables.

Certain foods and fluids are extremely injurious for goitre patients and should be avoided by them. These include white flour products, white sugar, flesh foods, fried or greasy foods, preserves, condiments, tea, coffee and alcohol. Iodine is undoubtedly most helpful in many cases, but it should be introduced in organic form. All foods containing Iodine should be taken liberally. These are asparagus, cabbage, carrots, garlic, onion, oats, pineapple, whole rice, tomatoes, watercress and strawberries.