The hall at the “Zum Löwen” inn in Oberlangheim was recently filled to capacity, which made it clear that an important topic was at stake. Professor Doctor Emilio Domínguez, head of general and visceral surgery at the Sana Klinikum Lichtenfels, spoke about the effects of stress on the thyroid as part of the Bavarian Farmers’ Association lecture series.
“In the past, problems with the thyroid gland were mainly known as goiter,” explained Prof. Domínguez and showed that this thyroid disease was even reflected in art, for example in the painting by Leonardo da Vinci “Madonna with the Carnation”. “It was simply ‘normal’ to have a goiter.” Today, however, we know that the thyroid affects well-being and bodily processes.
More than the goiter
The thyroid is responsible for, among other things, bone metabolism, memory, digestion and heart rate. And can occur in the event of an imbalance, for example. in the form of hair loss, fatigue and being over or underweight. It is therefore important to keep your thyroid in balance, the speaker emphasized.
Stress is one of the factors that can throw the thyroid out of balance. “Stress means something different for everyone,” stated Prof. Domínguez. For some it’s pressure to meet deadlines, for others it’s dealing with an illness. But no matter how the stress arises, it is usually harmful. Because when there is too much stress, especially in the long term, the adrenal gland produces the three stress hormones adrenaline, cortisol and nor-adrenaline.
Four diseases
According to the expert, too much cortisol in particular has negative effects on our body system. On the one hand, cortisol ensures that the liver provides more glucose and thus the blood sugar level rises, which in the long term can lead to insulin resistance. And on the other hand, cortisol blocks the thyroid and the production of the important thyroid hormones TSH, T4 and T3. This can manifest itself in four different thyroid diseases. Namely an underactive or overactive thyroid, an enlarged thyroid or in nodules.
In the event of hypofunction, the body, figuratively speaking, goes into standby mode, explained the chief physician. Slowly and often not noticeable to those affected. Symptoms often include difficulty concentrating and memory, depression, hair loss, weakness, fatigue and constipation. “These symptoms are often blamed on old age, but they actually come from the thyroid,” explains Prof. Domínguez. One form of this is Hashimoto’s disease. “While the Hashimoto diagnosis used to be the exception, it is now becoming more and more common,” said the professor.
“These symptoms are often blamed on old age, but they actually come from the thyroid.
Prof. Dr. Emilio Domínguez
Chief physician
In the case of hyperfunction, however, blood pressure usually shoots up. You are nervous, restless, irritable and have brittle nails. “In the worst case, you can die from an overactive thyroid,” explains Prof. Domínguez. Especially if an emergency contrast medium examination has to be carried out in the hospital. This is because it contains a lot of iodine, which in the event of an overfunction can cause the thyroid to overreact and can even lead to death. “The only solution here is often to remove the thyroid gland,” sums up the professor.
Every third person has knots
Even if the thyroid gland is significantly enlarged, only surgery can often help. Knots, on the other hand, explains the expert, are “like getting gray hair.” One in three people have nodules in their thyroid. A distinction is made between cold nodes and hot nodes. There is also a great fear of cancer with this disease. “Not every cold nodule is cancer. But every cancer is a cold node,” states Prof. Dominguez. An ultrasound will be performed to determine what the lump is.
Doesn’t go away on its own!
However, there are active measures that everyone can take to keep the thyroid gland in balance. “There is a saying here in Franconia: What comes alone, goes alone. But that doesn’t apply to the thyroid,” explained the doctor. “Therefore, action should be taken.” And you can take action against it in the form of a healthy diet that should be tailored to the respective thyroid disease, through exercise and meditation Stress and of course by visiting a doctor who might be able to prescribe medication.
The interesting, entertaining and quite humorous lecture ended by Prof. Dr. Domínguez then quoted: “Stress arises when we live to please others.” And then answered the many questions from the audience.
Marion Warmuth, district farmer of the farmers’ association, thanked Prof. Dr. Domínguez and closed the evening.
More BBV offers
The Bavarian Farmers’ Association offers further courses in line with the topic of “healthy nutrition”:
→ Pumpkin with a difference: Tuesday, November 12th, 7 p.m. in the Office for Agriculture and Food – teaching kitchen in Bad Staffelstein; Speaker: Waltraud Hartmann
→ Pulses: all-rounders + small powerhouses – Tuesday, December 3rd, 7 p.m., in the Office for Agriculture and Nutrition – teaching kitchen in Bad Staffelstein; Speaker: Waltraud Hartmann
Registration and information about fees: Kerstin Düßel, Bad Staffelstein office, Tel. (09573) 3108090, Kerstin.Duessel@BayerischerBauernVerband.de (red)
The hall of the “Zum Löwen” inn in Oberlangheim was well filled. Prof. Dr. Domínguez spoke about the thyroid. Photo: Irene Zenk
