Recent medical guidelines recommend surgery in cases of extreme chronic inflammation of the thyroid, and the state of hyperthyroidism in which prolonged periods of conservative treatment has not improved the condition.
Thyroid surgery is a form of treatment for thyroid dysfunction, which is recommended in clearly defined circumstances.
To begin with, it is always recommended to patients who have thyroid cancer. A surgical operation is carried out to discover and remove the type of tumor which is affecting the patient.
Goiter is a popular physical symptom of thyroid disease. A goiter is not just a structural change which is visible in the form of protrusions in the neck. It also causes difficulties in swallowing as well as a variety of symptoms associated with the thyroid gland.
Recent medical guidelines recommend thyroid surgery in cases of extreme chronic inflammation of the thyroid, and the state of hyperthyroidism in which prolonged periods of conservative treatment has not improved the condition.
Recovery after surgery
Immediately after thyroid surgery, one would feel tightness and mild pain in the neck coupled with a sore throat which may result in hoarseness. It is also possible to feel stiffness in the neck during the recovery period. Driving a car is not advisable during the first two weeks of recovery, nor is any sort of physical and psychological stress, heavy lifting, or sports activities.
The speed of recovery depends on the type of surgery that was done. Today, there are various types of surgeries that can be performed on the thyroid gland. If the surgery involves a cutting of the skin, there is the possibility that damage can be done to the tissue which will cause a patient to be hospitalized for days and the recovery period can last for months. On the other hand, with a minimally invasive surgical method, tissue damage is significantly less likely. In this case the patient can leave the day after surgery for home care. Within a few weeks, a person should be ready to return to their daily routine.
Removal of the Thyroid gland (or just a part of it!) causes a shock to the body. It takes the body time to adapt to functioning without a thyroid. After surgery, it is necessary to undergo hormonal therapy. The patient is prescribed a synthetic thyroid hormone, which must be taken every morning on an empty stomach.
While some patients may display unpleasant symptoms a few days after the disappearance of the thyroid gland for most patients, life continues the usual way. This is especially true for those who underwent minimally invasive surgery. However, it is always a good idea to pay more attention to your body and take care of yourself following surgery.It is also a best to communicate regularly with your doctor to ensure proper and frequent monitoring of the situation at hand.
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