Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- January is Thyroid Awareness Month
A human’s thyroid gland is relatively small – just two inches long, however it produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue and organ in the body. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disorder, according to the American Thyroid Association.
During January’s Thyroid Awareness Month, HSHS Medical Group and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital want to provide education about this important part of the body, especially because up to 60% of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition; and the cause(s) of thyroid problems are largely unknown.
The thyroid gland is located in the middle of the lower neck. It produces a hormone that regulates the body’s metabolism, affecting critical body functions such as energy level and heart rate. Undiagnosed thyroid problems may put people at risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and obesity.
HSHS Medical Group endocrinologist Dr. Radhika Annam says most thyroid diseases are life-long but can be managed with medication and regular provider visits.
“The thyroid gland, though not as widely discussed as the heart, liver and brain, is an important component of overall health,” says Dr. Annam. “Problems with the thyroid can develop at any age. For instance, newborns are screened for congenital hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone.”
Dr. Annam says women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop a thyroid condition.
Symptoms of a thyroid gland concern may include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in vision
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk with your health care provider about getting a blood test to check your thyroid function. It’s also important to schedule annual visits with your provider to maintain good overall health.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with an HSHS Medical Group primary care physician or provider, call Patient Advocate Kim Schneider at 844-520-8897. To learn more about HSHS Medical Group, visit hshsmedicalgroup.org.
About HSHS Medical Group
HSHS Medical Group is the physician organization of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). Launched in 2009, HSHS Medical Group is a critical component of the HSHS Care Integration strategy, which focuses on bringing physicians, technology and patients together to improve the overall health of our communities. Today, HSHS Medical Group is comprised of over 1,300 colleagues in locations throughout central and southern Illinois. HSHS Medical Group is powered by the Franciscan history of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, and our faith-based identity led us to the single most important tenet of the HSHS Medical Group philosophy — patient-first care. For more information about HSHS Medical Group, visit HSHSMedicalGroup.org.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states – Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit hospitalsisters.org.
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