Parathyroid gland: norm and pathology

Our body still keeps a lot of secrets. Even in our time, scientists receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine, although it would seem that everyone knows everything about the human body. Knowledge is painstakingly fixed precisely because, alas, doctors are more likely to learn from mistakes. So it was with organs called parathyroid glands.

The fact is that doctors did not suspect about their existence until the beginning of the 20th century. However, from time to time after operations on the neck, patients died in severe, painful cramps. Yes, this was because doctors accidentally removed parathyroid glands. And they are in charge in our bodies controlling the exchange of calcium and phosphorus. Each parathyroid gland produces parathyroid hormone.

Its functions are diverse. So, the hormones of parathyroid glands :

1. Provide a normal transmission of nerve impulses;
2. It is possible to reduce the muscle subordinate to the center;
3. Contribute to the proper formation of bone tissue.

Interestingly, the number of these glands is the same for every person. They can be only 2, but maybe 12, although most often 4. They look like rice grains and have a size of only 10mm in length. They were not paid due attention, and in fact their task is extraordinarily responsible. The normal level of calcium in the blood and tissues has a very narrow corridor, that is, the slightest deviation can make life itself impossible. Therefore, each parathyroid gland is a toiler of the invisible front, which tries very hard to pass the nerve impulses normally and the muscles react on time.

These organs are located near the thyroid gland. Each parathyroid gland "hides" behind the thyroid gland. But their functions are not connected, they are completely different functions.

Sometimes one parathyroid gland or several glands begin to behave too actively. This disease is called hyperparathyroidism. With this condition, the iron suddenly begins to produce a completely inadequate amount of the hormone in the body. She reacts by feedback. Normally, the output is inhibited if the blood level in the blood corresponds to the values of the narrowest corridor that you mentioned above. At the same time, a person feels broken and tired all the time, he starts osteoporosis with a normal, balanced diet.

What is the cause of hyperparathyroidism? Most often (in 95% of all cases) the case is in the tumor. However, one should not be afraid, as a rule, such neoplasms are benign. That is, it's not cancer at all. Such a tumor is called a hyperparathyroid adenoma. It usually occupies the entire gland and it is she who begins to synthesize the hormone in a crazy amount without reacting to the calcium of the blood.

Usually, in this disease, one parathyroid gland secretes the entire hormone in the body. The activity of the rest is inhibited, because they notice an abnormal level of calcium and stop working.

Only in one case out of 2500 such a tumor becomes malignant. However, it is necessary to take measures as soon as this tumor is revealed. The fact is that an increased amount of calcium destroys different tissues, perhaps not very quickly, but it is true. The pathologically enlarged parathyroid gland may well become the size of a walnut. Therefore, patients often notice the abnormality of their neck, the doctor will see it.

How to diagnose parathyroidism for sure? First, the amount of calcium in the blood serum. And secondly, the amount of calcium in the urine, which is collected a day.

Healthy kidneys will try to remove as much calcium as possible in the urine, so patients whose kidneys work relatively normally, this can be a very accurate diagnostic criterion for the presence of the disease.

How is parathyroidism treated? With the help of a minimally invasive surgical operation, which lasts no more than 20 minutes. So do not hesitate with the treatment - the sooner you go to the doctor, the faster the calcium will stop destroying your body.