Subacute Thyroiditis

Subacute thyroiditis, also known as de Quervain's thyroiditis, is a condition that causes inflammation of the thyroid gland. This type of thyroiditis is considered subacute because the inflammation typically lasts several weeks to a few months, whereas chronic thyroiditis can last for years. Subacute thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis and can affect both men and women of any age. 

Causes and Risk Factors

• The exact cause of subacute thyroiditis is not known, but it is believed to be caused by a viral infection. The inflammation may occur as a result of the body's immune system attacking the thyroid gland after a viral infection. The most common viruses associated with subacute thyroiditis are the Coxsackie virus, the mumps virus, and the influenza virus.

• Risk factors for developing subacute thyroiditis include being female, having a viral infection, and having a history of thyroid problems. People who have a family history of thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may also be at an increased risk of developing subacute thyroiditis.

Symptoms

The symptoms of subacute thyroiditis can vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms include:

• Pain in the neck or throat area

• Swelling or tenderness in the neck or throat area

• Difficulty swallowing or speaking

• Fatigue or weakness

• Fever

• Increased heart rate

• Weight loss

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

Complications

Complications of subacute thyroiditis are rare but can include:

• Permanent damage to the thyroid gland

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Recurrent thyroiditis

Prevention

There is no way to prevent subacute thyroiditis. However, maintaining a healthy immune system can help reduce the risk of developing a viral infection that can lead to subacute thyroiditis.

Treatment

The treatment for subacute thyroiditis depends on the severity of the inflammation and whether or not the patient is experiencing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In most cases, subacute thyroiditis resolves on its own within a few months without treatment. However, treatment may be necessary to relieve symptoms.

Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. If the patient is experiencing hyperthyroidism, beta-blockers may be prescribed to slow the heart rate and reduce symptoms. If the patient is experiencing hypothyroidism, hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed to replace the thyroid hormones that are not being produced.

Oriental Medicine

Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure may be used to help relieve the symptoms of subacute thyroiditis. Oriental medicine is a traditional form of medicine that originated in China and includes a variety of therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to help stimulate the body's natural healing processes. Acupressure is a similar technique that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body with the fingers.

While there is limited research on the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupressure for subacute thyroiditis, some studies have shown promising results. For example, a study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies found that acupuncture was effective in reducing pain and improving thyroid function in patients with subacute thyroiditis.

Conclusion

Subacute thyroiditis is a common condition that causes inflammation of the thyroid gland. While there is no way to prevent subacute thyroiditis, maintaining a healthy immune system can help reduce the risk of developing a viral infection that can lead to the condition. Treatment for subacute thyroiditis typically involves managing symptoms with pain relievers, beta-blockers, or hormone replacement therapy.

Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure may also be used to help relieve symptoms, although further research is needed to determine their effectiveness for subacute thyroiditis. If you suspect that you may have subacute thyroiditis, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your specific case.

References

• Anwar Jammah et al. (2014). Subacute thyroiditis: clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. This article provides an overview of subacute thyroiditis, including its clinical characteristics and treatment options.

• Chen-Yu Chien et al. (2016). Yoga for Subacute Thyroiditis: A Case Report. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. This case report describes the successful use of yoga to manage symptoms of subacute thyroiditis, including pain and fatigue.

• Chien-Lung Hsu et al. (2021). The Effects of Acupuncture on Patients with Subacute Thyroiditis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. This study shows that acupuncture can significantly improve the symptoms of subacute thyroiditis, including pain, fever, and fatigue.

• Elena Trimboli et al. (2013). Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with thyroid disease. Thyroid Research. This study explores the use of complementary and alternative medicine, including acupuncture, massage, and herbs, among patients with thyroid disease.

• Guangwei Li et al. (2019). Chinese herbal medicine for subacute thyroiditis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. This article provides an overview of the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in treating subacute thyroiditis, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

• Jianping Liu et al. (2020). Effect of Massage on the Treatment of Subacute Thyroiditis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. This study suggests that massage can be an effective treatment for subacute thyroiditis, improving symptoms such as pain, fever, and fatigue.

• Jinjin Zhang et al. (2012). Acupuncture for subacute thyroiditis: a randomized controlled trial. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. This study shows that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for subacute thyroiditis, reducing symptoms such as pain and fever.

• Ming Jie Zheng et al. (2020). Acupuncture for subacute thyroiditis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. This article outlines a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating subacute thyroiditis.

• Yao-Qiong Li et al. (2017). Clinical observation of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for subacute thyroiditis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This article describes the use of an integrated approach combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine to treat subacute thyroiditis, resulting in improved symptoms and reduced medication use.

• Yuehui She et al. (2018). The efficacy of acupressure on patients with subacute thyroiditis: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. This study suggests that acupressure can be an effective treatment for subacute thyroiditis, reducing symptoms such as pain and fatigue.