Preventable Disabilities & Abnormalities

More than 100 million human beings suffer from physical and mental disabilities globally. These are generally caused by malnutrition and also known as nutritional disabilities. If we take the matter seriously; these are preventable disabilities. Malnutrition is a major cause of growth retardation, blindness due to vitamin-A deficiency and rickets due to vitamin-D deficiency. High fluorine content in drinking water may lead to fluorosis.

Over exposure to fluoride in drinking water or otherwise would erode the enamel of teeth; a condition called dental fluorosis. Children below the age of 10 years should not be allowed to use fluoride containing tooth pastes. Dental fluorosis is characterized by coloring and pitting of teeth. Over ingestion of fluoride in drinking water may lead to severe skeletal abnormalities also. Quality of drinking water should be assured by Public Health & Sanitation Departments of the area worldwide.

Deficiency of iodine in drinking water or food would lead to metabolic disorders and mental retardation in children as well as adults. In our body, iodine is processed by thyroid gland (an endocrine gland) present in the front of our neck. The colloidal substance present in the thyroid gland is a store house of iodine. The cells of the thyroid gland secrete an internal secretion called thyroglobulin; that breaks down to thyroxine hormone before being released into blood stream. Thyroxine is a tetra-iodo-compound (also called T4 hormone) that controls general metabolism of our body. Another thyroid hormone isolated from thyroid gland as well as present in blood/plasma is triiodothyroxine (also called T3 hormone). Under secretion of thyroid hormones in children produces cretinism. A cretin child grows up mentally retarded dwarf unless treated by thyroid extract. Goitre (enlargement of thyroid) and cretinism can be prevented with iodized salt or water.

Contamination of orange-red pulses (certain legumes of genus Lathyrus or kesari dal) may cause lathyrism (neuromuscular weakness). Seeds of Lathyrus cicera and Lathyrus clymentum are known to contain a toxin, causing neurolathyrism. Osteolathyrism is caused by a different toxin called beta-aminopropionitrile (present in sweet peas); that affects linking of collagen fibrils with bones and muscles. By careful sorting of legume seeds used as pulses Lathyrism can be prevented.


Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) is another preventable abnormality/disability. Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) leads to poor physical and mental endowment. Long term feature of PCM is mental retardation. Through the community education and awareness about nutritional value of food stuffs these nutritional disabilities can be prevented. Rickets is most common amongst malnourished children. Rickets is caused by deficiency of vitamin-D. Deficiency of vitamin-D leads to softening of bones and skeletal abnormalities in children. Children should be exposed to the sunlight as it leads to formation of vitamin-D from the pro-vitamin-D in our body. Butter, egg yoke and some species of fish are rich source of vitamin-D. So, intake of these and exposure to sunlight would be helpful for preventing rickets in our children.

Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders

Cretinism

Thyroid gland is associated with the general metabolism of all body tissues. Suboptimal activity of thyroid gland at birth leads to hypo-secretion of thyroid hormones and causes cretinism impairing the mental and physical growth of an infant or child. The child grows up a mentally retarded dwarf, unless diagnosed and treated with thyroid extract. The cretin child has a stunted body with broad face and wide nostrils. The mouth and tongue of a cretin child are so big that the mouth may not be closed properly. The affected child could have protuberant abdomen with an umbilical hernia. The child is very sluggish and cannot be taught to walk, talk and personal hygiene tips.

Hypothyroidism

Patients affected by under function of thyroid gland or hypothyroidism, develop generalized oedema called myxoedema (swelling of body). In myxoedema metabolic processes slow down with a tendency to gain weight. There is slowness of mind and speech and one feels lethargic. The skin becomes thickened and dry. The body temperature is subnormal, pulse slow and hair may fall or get thin. Treatment of hypothyroidism needs thyroid hormone as oral drugs. Pro-thyroid drugs used for treatment of hypothyroidism, increase the metabolic rate with a subsequent increase in catabolism. Self-medication of hypothyroidism is not advisable.

Hyperthyroidism

Enlargement of thyroid gland with increased secretion is termed as hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism the metabolic rate is increased and the body temperature may be higher than the normal with very fast pulse rate. The patient loses weight and is nervous and excitable. The cardiac output is generally increased and cardio-vascular complications like fibrillation may develop if hyperthyroidism is not treated effectively and timely. However, enlarged thyroid gland could be associated with non-toxic or toxic goitre. Goitrous gland may have normal function or under function (hypothyroidism) or over function (hyperthyroidism). The exophthalmic goitre is known as Graves's disease and in this disease the eyeballs protrude. The effect is due to over activity of thyroid hormone and may not completely be reversed with treatment. The hyperthyroidism is treatable with anti-thyroid drugs but self-medication is not advisable as it could be harmful if other ailments like diabetes, cardiac problem or coagulopathies exist. Sometimes surgical removal of thyroid gland is also advised for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis or the thyroid gland is bombarded with x-ray like radiations from radioactive iodine accumulated in the gland after it had administered to the patient.

Thyroid Gland and its Functions

Thyroid Gland and its Secretions

Thyroid is an endocrine gland situated in the front of neck. It consists of two lobes, lying one on each side of the trachea just below the larynx. Both the lobes are joined by narrow band of thyroid tissue called isthmus of thyroid. The gland receives very rich supply of blood and consists of a large number of vesicles formed by secreting cells grouped around the small cavities called alveoli. The thyroid alveoli contain very thick colloid or gummy substance, composed of thyroxine hormone, which is rich in iodine content. Secreting cells of the vesicles contain an internal secretion known as thyroglobulin which is broken down to thyroxine and released in the alveoli of thyroid. The thyroid gland governs the general metabolism of all body tissues. The triiodothyronine (T3) hormone is also present in the colloid of thyroid gland and blood plasma. The triiodothyronine (T3) has been found to be more active than thyroxine. Thyroxine is an iodine derivative of thyronine. Thyroxine has four iodine atoms in its molecule and could also be called T4 hormone. The function of thyroid is regulated by thyrotrophic hormone of the anterior lobe of pituitary gland. Normally thyroid is not palpable but may get enlarged where there is deficiency of iodine in water supply. Enlarged thyroid could be associated with non-toxic or toxic goitre. Goitrous gland may have normal function or under function (hypothyroidism) or over function (hyperthyroidism). Suboptimal activity of thyroid gland at birth leads to hypo-secretion of thyroid hormones and causes cretinism. Cretinism is a disorder of thyroid in which mental and physical growth are retarded.

Functions of Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland controls the body metabolism in terms of temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, cardiac output, appetite, body weight, emotions, nervous temperament and intelligence. Though it looks strange to put the emotions, nervous temperament and intelligence under the metabolic functions but it is true that the metabolic changes influence all these. Thyroid gland and its iodine containing hormones play a vital role in metabolic processes of our body essential for good health.

Waterchestnuts as Home Remedy

The lotus fruits or waterchestnuts are known as singharas in India. You may find these in plenty with vegetable vendors in the months of May and June. They are geometrically shaped and have green to purple red color. The Asians are very fond of singharas or waterchestnuts as these are a good substitute for potatoes. Seasonal availability of these makes their use limited. These could be eaten raw or boiled as salad. They are rich source of starch and iodine and have aphrodisiac properties. Ayurveda had explored their medicinal properties centuries ago. Intake of fresh or dry waterchestnuts boosts the immune system and helps to cure sore throat and tonsillitis, and is a good home remedy for these ailments. Singhara flour prepared from dry waterchestnuts could be used as blending agent in cooking and its preparations improve the vitality and chances of conception.