Medicine:Endemic goitre

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Endemic goitre
Kone med stor struma.jpg
A woman, probably from inland of Norway, with goiter, probably due to iodine deficiency.
SymptomsGoitre
CausesIodine deficiency

Endemic goitre is a type of goitre that is associated with dietary iodine deficiency.[1][2]

Cause

Some inland areas, where soil and water lacks iodine compounds and consumption of marine foods is low, are known for higher incidence of goitre. In such areas goitre is said to be "endemic".[citation needed]

Prevention

This type of goitre is easily preventable. In most developed countries regulations have been put into force by health policy institutions requiring salt, flour or water to be fortified with iodine.[citation needed]

Treatment

Treatment of endemic goitre is medical with iodine and thyroxine preparations. Surgery is only necessary in cases where complicated by significant compression of nearby structures.[citation needed]

References

  1. "Endemic Goiter (Medical condition)". Encyclopedia of Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/186796/endemic-goitre. 
  2. BA, Lamberg (1991). "Endemic Goitre—Iodine Deficiency Disorders". Annals of Medicine 23 (4): 367–72. doi:10.3109/07853899109148075. PMID 1718324. 
Classification