Thyroid is one of the adult ailments that many people don’t take note of whenever they afflict children. Just like in grownups, the disease affects the thyroid gland which is found next to the clavicles, also known as the collarbones in ordinary terms. The gland controls the human heart rate, body weight, muscle strength and certain sections of the brain. Any health complications affecting the gland can subsequently have devastating effects on human beings, adults and children alike.
Learning how to spot Thyroid symptoms in children can therefore be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment purposes.
Common Thyroid defects in children
Before getting to the symptoms, it pays to note some of the ailments that are associated with the gland. Graves’ disease is for example known to trigger over production of the thyroid hormone, leading to abnormal hormonal balance in the body. The gland can also get inflamed in some cases, bringing on a medical condition known as subacute thyroiditis. There are instances when the gland’s disorders can result from autoimmune complications which may be offset by pituitary gland malfunctions or by cell malignancy. These cases are mostly classified under hypothyroidism with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis being the most common of them all.
Common Thyroid symptoms in children
The illness can usually be diagnosed as a hyperthyroidism or as a hypothyroidism case. It therefore follows that whenever a child gets excessively jumpy and he or she loses his or her concentration span when involved in activities that healthy children find engrossing, chances are that the child has hyperthyroidism.
To avoid jumping into conclusions, it’s also advisable to establish whether:
· The child child’s heart beat is faster than normal.
· If he or she has an enlarged thyroid gland.
· The child is experiencing rapid body weight loss despite having big appetite for food.
· Sleep related problems, heavy sweating, unusual wide-eye stares and unexplained fainting that’s accompanied by loose stools can also be signs of hyperthyroidism.
When it comes to hypothyroidism, children are likely to experience reduced energy levels while their faces or their entire bodies may appear puffy or swollen. Contrary to hyperthyroidism, children with hypothyroidism often gain wait despite poor appetite for food.
Other common thyroid symptoms in children include:
· Stunted growth.
· Constant muscle irritation and soreness.
· Stomach constipation that’s accompanied by unusually hard or loose stool.
· As well as brittle hair and dry skin.
It’s significant to note that many of these thyroid symptoms in children can coincide with those of other children or adolescent sicknesses. Consequently, it’s advisable to seek professional medical advice other than opting for self-medical diagnosis and treatment procedures whenever these symptoms manifest in your child.