January is Thyroid Awareness Month.

Like other awareness months, the goal of thyroid awareness month is to bring attention to the importance of thyroid health, encourage early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease, and to help raise awareness for those living with thyroid conditions. 

And while most of us have some knowledge of what the thyroid gland is, many are unaware of just how big a role it plays in all our bodies’ systems.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the middle of your neck above the collarbone and in front of your windpipe. 

Part of the endocrine system, this tiny hormone-producing gland regulates so many important functions. Metabolism, heart rate, breathing, body temperature, muscle strength, body weight, and cholesterol levels are all regulated by the thyroid. 

In fact, according to the American Thyroid Association, 

“Although the thyroid gland is relatively small, it produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue and organ in the body.”

So it’s important to keep it functioning healthy. Luckily, there are many options for those living with thyroid conditions.

Types of thyroid disease

Thyroid disease refers to any condition that affects how the thyroid functions. There are several types of thyroid disease including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancers, and autoimmune thyroid conditions. 

Hypothyroidism

Most common in women over 60, hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Common symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, constipation, hair loss, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin. 

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid produces too much thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Common symptoms include weight loss, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, sensitivity to heat, and anxiety.

Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders

Autoimmune thyroid disorders are organ-specific autoimmune disorders that primarily affect the thyroid. They include Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, postpartum thyroiditis, and atrophic autoimmune hypothyroidism. 

Grave’s disease - also called diffuse toxic goiter, results in an uncontrolled production of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) resulting in hyperthyroidism. 

Hashimoto’s disease - also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is characterized by a loss of thyroid cells which eventually leads to hypothyroidism. 

Postpartum thyroiditis - is a temporary condition that can occur shortly after a woman has given birth. It usually starts off with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) followed by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). 

Atrophic autoimmune hypothyroidism - is a very rare form of hypothyroidism in which a certain type of antibody is present.

Thyroid Cancer

There are four types of thyroid cancer

• Papillary thyroid cancer
• Follicular thyroid cancer
• Medullary thyroid cancer
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer
  
  

Treatment options depend on the type of thyroid cancer.

For more information on thyroid cancer, check out the following resources.

American Cancer Society

American Thyroid Association

Mayo Clinic

What causes thyroid disease?

There’s still a lot that is unknown about the causes of thyroid disorders, but we do know that they tend to affect women more than men. 

In fact, women are five to eight times more likely to develop thyroid disease than men.

Some lifestyle factors or other medical conditions can increase your chance of developing a thyroid condition. For example, those with an autoimmune condition are more likely to develop another, including an autoimmune thyroid condition. 

Genetics play a role as well. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic:

“You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid disease if you:

• Have a family history of thyroid disease
• Have a medical condition (these can include pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, primary adrenal insufficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and Turner syndrome)
• Take a medication that’s high in iodine (amiodarone)
• Are older than 60, especially in women
• Have had treatment for a past thyroid condition or cancer (thyroidectomy or radiation)”

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease

Diagnosing a thyroid disorder can be tricky because symptoms are often confused with other conditions. That’s why it’s important to see your provider regularly and follow their advice for routine exams, blood work, and imaging. 

You should also talk to your provider about any symptoms that concern you.

Luckily there are common tests that can be used to determine if your symptoms are caused by a thyroid disorder. They include:

• Physical examination
• Blood tests
• Imaging tests (like ultrasound)

Thyroid awareness

According to the American Thyroid Association, around 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and 60 percent of those living with a thyroid condition are unaware of it. 

And since undiagnosed thyroid disease can put you at risk of serious medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and infertility, raising awareness is critical.

So talk to your doctor about thyroid health, check your thyroid at home, and share this information with others. You can share this article, post to your social media channels, or talk to your friends and family about thyroid health.

This November, you can make a difference in the life of someone living with epilepsy by participating in epilepsy awareness month!

Epilepsy is one of the oldest-known medical conditions, but many people still don't understand what it is, how many people it affects, or how they can help. During Epilepsy Awareness Month, The Epilepsy Foundation and other advocates work together to raise awareness on the challenges that people with epilepsy may face and support those living with epilepsy.

What is Epilepsy?

According to the CDC, epilepsy, or seizure disorder, is a medical condition where people have seizures. A seizure is a short change in brain activity. These seizures can last seconds or minutes and can happen at any time, to anyone, anywhere. This unpredictability can create unique challenges for those living with epilepsy. 

How Common Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions that affect the brain.

The Epilepsy Foundation says that:

• 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives
• 3.4 million people in the US are currently living with epilepsy
• There are 150,000 new cases of epilepsy every year

Who is at risk?

Epilepsy can happen to anyone, no matter how old they are. In fact, according to the Epilepsy Society, most people are diagnosed with epilepsy when they're still under 20 years old. 

Is there a cure?

There is no cure for epilepsy currently. However, the CDC has tips for people to help manage their seizures, including:

• Taking medicine.
• Talking with your doctor regularly
• Avoiding triggers like flashing lights
• Keeping a record of your seizures
• Getting good sleep
• Lowering stress

How can Epilepsy Awareness Month Help?

It's important to spread epilepsy awareness so people can know how to support someone with seizures and when to get help from a doctor. 

The National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke say that over 60% of people with epilepsy have focal seizures, meaning they don't shake and jerk like in more recognizable seizures.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, there are many types of seizures like absence seizures, where people stare off into space for a bit, febrile seizures that happen because of high fevers, and many more.

Epilepsy Awareness Month helps by sharing this information and raising awareness on the many types of seizures.

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During Epilepsy Awareness Month, You Can Help By:

• Learning first aid for seizures
• Donating to help pay for research
• Learning and spreading awareness about the different types of seizures
• Spreading awareness on how serious epilepsy can be
• Encourage people to recognize the signs and get help

What to Do if You See Someone Having a Seizure

It can be scary to see someone having a seizure. But knowing what to do can make a big difference. 

• Stay with the person until the seizure ends and they are fully awake. After it ends, help the person sit in a safe place. Once they are alert and able to communicate, tell them what happened in very simple terms.
• Comfort the person and speak calmly.
• Check to see if the person is wearing a medical bracelet or other emergency information.
• Keep yourself and other people calm.
• Offer to call a taxi or another person to make sure the person gets home safely.

Should I Call 911 if Someone is Having a Seizure?

Typically, seizures don’t require emergency medical attention. But certain conditions or situations can be more serious and require medical attention. 

According to the CDC, you should only call 911 in the following cases:

• The person has never had a seizure before.
• The person has difficulty breathing or waking after the seizure.
• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
• The person has another seizure soon after the first one.
• The person is hurt during the seizure.
• The seizure happens in water.
• The person has a health condition like diabetes, heart disease, or is pregnant.

Of course, if you’re unsure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you feel the person is in any danger.

What NOT to Do if You See Someone Having a Seizure

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 

1. You should NEVER force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure.  Forcing something into the mouth of someone having a seizure can cause injuries like chipped teeth, cut gums, or even break someone's jaw.
2. DON'T restrain someone having a seizure. You’re more likely to hurt them than the seizure is. Most seizures end in a few seconds or a few minutes on their own.

Spreading Hope and Awareness

During this epilepsy awareness month, you can help spread education and hope just by sharing information. Join the fight to find a cure and raise awareness this epilepsy awareness month!

Learn more about how you can make a difference here!

Pain is something we all experience from time to time, but for some people it’s a daily occurrence.

And the toll is not just physical, individuals with chronic pain suffer a variety of mental health effects as well.

According to the CDC, chronic pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care.

In 2016, they estimated that over 20% of adults in the US were living with chronic pain. And, since chronic pain is linked to high medical costs, opioid use, missed work, and decreased quality of life — it can take a huge toll on mental health.

Pain and Mental Health

Long-term or chronic pain can be physically debilitating and significantly alter quality of life. But the mental health effects are just as serious, and often overlooked.

To find out how much impact pain has on mood, we launched a study in 2018 to look at real-life effects in people with chronic pain. In this year-long study, we sent out surveys every 3-months asking about pain, mental health, and how much each person’s pain interfered with activities of daily life.

For the study to be valid, we had to ask individuals with chronic pain and those without the same questions.

As expected, those who identified as having chronic pain had higher pain levels over time than the group of participants without chronic pain.

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Individuals with chronic pain also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression.

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And, the people who said that their pain interfered with their quality of life, activities, and relationships, also had more depression and anxiety symptoms.

What does that mean?

Well, it tells us that physical pain and the effects of this pain on our lives may have real impact on our mental health as well.

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What can we take away from this? Chronic pain is a major challenge for many. And the challenges that people with chronic pain face may have a big impact on their physical and mental health.

By understanding how chronic pain interferes with daily living, we can work to help those living with it improve their mental health and live happier lives.

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