Thyroid And Smelling Smoke

• Do you know that 20 million Americans have thyroid disease?
• More shocking is that 60% of them are unaware of their condition.

Relieving is the fact that the thyroid is curable both by medicines and surgery.

• You have to be more attentive to the symptoms.
• It will help you to judge the disease timely so that you can lessen its harm to the body and health.

| Read: How To Keep Body’s Immune System Strong?

In this article, I will guide you step-wise about thyroid disease, what is it?

What are the symptoms of early recognization?

How are smelling smoke and thyroid related?

Causes, the treatment, and some home remedies too.

What is Thyroid?

• It is a butterfly-shaped gland found on both sides of the neck.
• It produces hormones that regulate many activities of our body like metabolism, muscle function, brain development, bone maintenance, etc.

When this gland does not function properly then it leads to abnormal thyroid or thyroid disease which includes hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer.

Let me briefly explain to you about thyroid diseases

Hypothyroidism:

In this, the secretion from the thyroid gland is lessened. This means underactive thyroid.

Hyperthyroidism:

The secretion from the thyroid gland is more. It means overactive thyroid.

Goiter:

The size of the thyroid gland is increased abnormally.

Thyroiditis:

The inflammation in the gland.

Thyroid cancer:

Tumor in the gland.

Causes of thyroid disease

The main cause is iodine deficiency and the other one is today’s lifestyle.

• Stress, autoimmune disease, more sugar consumption, less sleep, smoking, and alcohol are some other causes.
• Certain medications (like if you are taking medicines for a psychiatric condition) contain lithium which may effect the thyroid gland.

So the causes can be summarized as:

• Iodine deficiency
• Autoimmune disease
• Certain medications
• Excess sugar
• Unhealthy lifestyle

| Read: 13 Surprising Reasons Why Your Diet Is Not Working 

Symptoms of thyroid disease

There are many symptoms of thyroid disease and it may vary from person to person.

Some of them are listed below

1. Hypothyroidism

• Fatigue
• Feeling cold
• Weight gain
• Depression
• Constipation
• Laziness
• Weakness
• Dry skin
• Muscle cramps
• Thin hairs & brittle nails
• Less sex drive
• Numbness in hands
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Defects of smell (smelling smoke) and taste

2. Hyperthyroidism

• Uneasiness, anxiety, and irritability
• Hyperactivity
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling restless
• Sensitivity to heat
• Muscle weakness
• Needing to pee more often than usual
• Dryness in mouth
• Discomfort

3. Goiter

• Weight loss.
• Fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Heat sensitivity
• Excess sweating
• Trembling
• Irritability and nervousness.
• Muscle weakness
• Frequent bowel movements
• A swelling in your neck due to enlarged thyroid gland

4. Thyroiditis

• More frequent bowel movements.
• Hair loss
• Heat intolerance
• Irregular (or very light) menstrual periods in women.
• Mood swings
• Anxiety, trembling hands
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Sweating

5. Thyroid cancer

• A lump on the neck that can be felt from outside
• Suffocation from tight-fitted clothes around the neck
• Change in voice, like increased hoarseness
• Difficulty in gulping water or food
• Swelling in  lymph nodes in the neck
• Pain in neck and throat

Besides this, a few common complaints of a thyroid problem and thyroid disorder include a metallic taste, salty taste, smelling smoke, tongue swollen, and dryness.

| Read: 7 Ways Eating Fish Can Help You Lose Weight

Smelling smoke or Phantosmia

• Do you feel like smelling smoke if there’s no smoke around?
• Do you feel that you have lost smell and taste as well?

• Well, the reason for both is hypothyroidism.
• Smelling smoke is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

In hypothyroidism changes in smell perception or suppression of smell are some of the changes noted.

• Phantosmia is when you smell odors that are not present around you. Some common odors are smelling smoke like cigarette smoke, rubber smoke, ammonia, or rotten food.
• Phantosmia occurs due to a disturbance in the communication between the brain and the olfactory neurons.

This symptom of smelling smoke may last for 5 to 20 minutes and are more common in women than men.

• Recent studies show that proper treatment of hypothyroidism will give relief from the symptom as it affects the smelling ability.

• Thyroid and smelling smoke with instabilities in taste are only a part of the sensory changes which may be seen in hypothyroidism.
• They can be normalized with treatment and by making some changes in the lifestyle.

Defects of smell and taste for people with hypothyroidism 

• This is a common problem in people with hypothyroidism.

This is due to sensory changes. The smell and taste sensations have their separate receptor organs that are closely connected.

• They have similar signal pathways.
• The defect of smell is an olfactory hallucination.
• But, there is no reason to worry as it can be cured.
• It can lead to anorexia and a lack of interest in eating.

Treatment

• Reach an endocrinologist for proper tests and medications.
• Change your diet and lifestyle approach.
• Include selenium and iodine-rich food in your diet.
• Be active and avoid stress.
• Avoid soy products, gluten, coffee, and sugary products.

| Read: How To Get Athletic Body With 9 Minutes Exercise?

What if thyroid is left untreated?

It can lead to serious problems if left untreated. Untreated thyroid may lead to heart disease and nerve damage.

Proper checkups and medication is a must for healthy living.

Superfoods for thyroid disorder

1. Chicken:

This lean protein is rich in zinc which is the essential nutrient needed for normal thyroid functioning.

2. Chickpeas: 

It is rich in zinc and fiber which help to cure constipation and helps in good thyroid function.

3. Salted nuts:

Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts help in reducing inflammation. They are a good source of selenium. They help in improved communication between brain and thyroid function.

4. Eggs: 

Yolk of the egg is rich in iodine and selenium and the white part is full of protein.

5. Seafood: Seafood like oysters, shellfish, clams, crabs, lobster, and fish like tuna and sardine:

They are full of copper and zinc, which help in improving immune system and thyroid function.

• Clams and mussels are rich sources of selenium, iron and iodine which are essential for normal thyroid function and hormone production.
• Shellfish are also a rich source of natural iodine which prevents iodine deficiency. Shellfish like wild salmon are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Studies show that it improves thyroid sensitivity.

Fish are good sources of omega- 3 and selenium, which are known to decrease inflammation in thyroid disorders.

Conclusion

• The thyroid is a disease that needs attention for healthy living.
• Smelling smoke is one of the common symptoms of primary hypothyroidism.
• This can be cured by medication.

A routine checkup of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) is necessary.

If you do not ignore the symptoms then it is very easily to judge it timely and with regular medicines you can live a normal life.

FAQ’s

Can thyroid problems affect the sense of smell?

Yes, they do. It is a very common problem in primary hypothyroidism. A recent study reveals that it leads to anorexia and a lack of interest in eating.

Can thyroid problems cause phantom smells?

The main reason for phantom smells is aging and the other is endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormones – thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

What are early warning signs of thyroid problems?

Dry skin, body heat, weight gain, hair loss, and mood swings are some early signs of thyroid disease.

At what age do thyroid problems start?

It can start at any age. It is more common in women than men and typically happens between the age of 20 to 40 years.

What food should be avoided in thyroid?

Sugary products, coffee, and gluten should be avoided. And in vegetables, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and turnips should be avoided because their digestion may block the thyroid’s ability to utilize iodine, which is essential for normal thyroid function.

Which fruit is good for thyroid?

Apples, pears, plums, and citrus fruits are abundant with pectins, which help with detoxifying the body of mercury – one of the most critical metals that have been connected to thyroid problems

Can thyroid affect your face?

Appearance is affected in many ways. You can have a puffiness on your face, especially around the eyes. The skin also becomes dry and scaly.

Do stress causes thyroid?

Stress can make the thyroid worst but this is not the only reason that causes thyroid. It slows metabolism and leads to weight gain.

What exercises help hypothyroidism?

Any form of moderate exercise is good, it keeps the body active and removes lethargy. Walking, yoga, and pilates are best. Some yoga poses like the fish pose and shoulder stand are thought to be most effective for improving thyroid function.

What can make thyroid worse?

Too much iodine intake can make hypothyroidism worse in people who already have the condition. The addition of iodine to table salt has almost eradicated this problem in the United States.

Are thyroid problems life long?

Yes thyroid disease is often life-long. However, you can live a normal life with medication.