Thyroid problems come in many forms.  Millions of Americans suffer with this each year; more women suffer with it than men.  All of them affect thyroid production, forcing the body to use more energy than normal. People are finding easier ways to cope with these thyroid problems by consulting a thyroid surgeon.  Solving the problem starts with figuring out the problem.  Here are the most common thyroid problems.

Hyperthyroidism

This is a type of thyroid problem that comes from an overactive thyroid.  This thyroid creates too much hormones.  This will cause sleep problems, tremors, weight loss, anxiety, nervousness, fatigue, muscle weakness and changes in appetite.  An inflammatory thyroid or overdosing on thyroid medication can also cause this condition.  One main type of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease.  The thyroid disorder causes the immune system to create antibodies that attach to thyroid cells.  These cells either stimulate or inhibit thyroid hormone production.

Hypothyroidism

This is a more common type of thyroid problem.  This is caused by a non-active or underactive thyroid gland.  This will slow down the heart; give chills, dry skin, depression, low body temperature, lethargy and forgetfulness.  This is not good for children to have.  Children with this condition will develop differently in their body than normal people.  They will suffer from dwarfism and cretinism.  Without treatment a person may suffer a myxedema coma.  One main type of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  This disease destroys the immune system and the thyroid gland.  The most common type of hypothyroidism in America, this prevents the gland from making enough hormones.

Thyroid Nodules

Less common types of thyroid condition is thyroid nodules.  This condition comes in solid lumps or lumps with fluid on the inside.  Depending on the size the nodules can make it harder to breathe because it presses on the windpipe.  It doesn’t cause symptoms and most are non-cancerous.  The ones that are cancerous (10%) may suffer from throat cancer and will have to be treated immediately.  The sad part is it can’t be detected early.  The cancer can develop undetected for several years.  Once detected the person must take action now for the most successful recovery.  People having treatment for acne or gone through neck radiation in their younger years will be the ones more at risk of getting a cancerous nodule.

Goiter

This is more of a male’s thyroid problem than female because it affects the Adam’s apple.  The thyroid swells into a butterfly shape at the base of the Adam’s apple.  The condition is mostly painless, but males suffering from goiters will have difficulty swallowing, breathing or coughing.  This is caused by nodules on the gland, low thyroid hormone or lack of iodine in the diet.  A doctor should be able to tell which is which.

Have you been trying for the longest time to lose weight? You keep telling yourself you’ll stay away from certain things and exercise so much but you keep falling back into old habits for some reason. Many people experience this. It’s called reaching a plateau. You work hard to burn calories and you lose a few pounds and maybe even some inches. But then it becomes incredibly hard to progress. This is because the body is trying to reclaim homeostasis and stop changing.

Here are steps to help you along the way, including the ever-important treating yourself when you’ve reached a goal, to celebrate.

1. Eat Less Calories Than You Burn

This may sound simple, and scientifically speaking, it is. But it sure is not easy without taking the right steps. Do not, under any circumstance, try to starve yourself. For many, this has led to terrifying disorders in which the body actually eats itself from the inside out. Instead of burning fat, you get rid of needed muscles. Bad idea!

2. Make Sure To Treat Yourself For Goals Accomplished

Make sure to let yourself have a little fun with a delicious reward like a satisfying Mrs. Field’s gift basket. You deserve it after hard work, and more importantly, you need something to keep you from breaking your diet. Eating healthy will only last if you take short breaks and indulge from time to time. If you could point to the reason you abandoned your last weight-losing quest, it probably had to do with it being too much for you.

So enjoy a piece of warm goodness like a cookie and brownie basket or a twinkling smile tote. These will be sure to brighten up your new life and will keep you on track to reach your goal. You can even freeze cookies for later or share.

3. Keep A Food Journal

Some people have a hard time expressing their feelings or keeping tabs on events in a journal. But when you’re writing about food, this becomes more of an activity than a chore.

4. Find An Exercise You Enjoy

Many do not find running appealing. Some hate showing their bodies in a gym full of toned jocks. If you’re one that does not like certain exercises, don’t do them! Find out what you love by trying new things. You can ski, surf, play at the beach, play catch, take the dog for a daily walk, or do any sort of thing that keeps you active. This will work out the most important muscle in your body: the heart. Make sure to mix up the exercises each day to avoid a plateau in one area of your body.

Begin losing weight today the healthy way with a Mrs. Fields gift basket. This may be the number one thing that will keep you from hitting an impossible plateau and will help you on your way to weight loss. This way you won’t have to say “no” to treats when they’re served strategically by you.