Goiter is a swelling or large mass on the throat that results from abnormal growth of a gland called thyroid.
Most goiters are caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. Also, a lack of iodine in a pregnant woman's diet sometimes cause babies to die or be born mentally slow and/or deaf (cretinism). This can happen even though the mother does not have a goiter.
How to prevent or cure a goiter and prevent cretinism:
Everyone living in areas where people get goiters should use iodized salt. Use of iodized salt prevents the common kind of goiter and will help many goiters go away. (Old, hard goiters can only be removed by surgery, but this is not usually necessary.)
If it is not possible to get iodized salt, use tincture of iodine. Put 1 drop in a glass of water each day and drink. Be careful: too much tincture of iodine is poisonous. Drink only 1 drop a day. Keep the bottle where children cannot reach it. Iodized salt is much safer.
Most home cures for goiter do not do any good. However, eating crab and other seafood can do some good because they contain iodine. Mixing a little seaweed with food also adds iodine. But the easiest way is to use iodized salt.
How to keep from getting goiter: Never use regular salt. Always use iodized salt. Iodized salt costs only a little more than other salt and is much better.
Note: If a person with a goiter trembles a lot, is very nervous, and has eyes that bulge out, this may be a different kind of goiter (toxic goiter). Seek medical advice.
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Health Tips
Non-FictionContains lot of important notes that would teach readers alot about health Medical issues. A very helpful book indeed. Adapted from 'Where there is no Doctor'.
