Acute thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland due to illness or other factors. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and produces the thyroid hormone which controls metabolism. With acute thyroiditis, the thyroid gland becomes inflamed and can lead to hyperthyroidism, states MayoClinic.com. This condition is diagnosed through studying a patient's history and blood tests. Acute thyroiditis is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, aspirin and corticosteroids. A patient should know the symptoms of acute thyroiditis, particularly after a flu-like illness.
Neck Tenderness
MedlinePlus states that the thyroid gland may be tender to the touch. A physician will notice this during a physical exam when he touches, or palpates, the neck, where the thyroid gland is located. A patient should let his doctor know if an area in the neck is tender during the exam, a common sign of acute thyroiditis. This occurs because the tissue of the thyroid gland is inflamed, which can cause sensory nerves in the neck to be more sensitive to external pressure. NSAIDs, in particular, will reduce pain and inflammation related to acute thyroiditis.
Difficulty Swallowing
A patient with acute thyroiditis may have difficulty swallowing, states MedlinePlus. This occurs because the thyroid gland may enlarge and compress the esophagus, the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach. A patient will feel discomfort or pain when swallowing if the esophagus is compressed. In this case, she should let her doctor know that she is having trouble swallowing liquids, solids or both. Treatment of the primary thyroid condition will improve the patient's ability to swallow.
Irregular Heartbeat
According to MayoClinic.com, a patient with acute thyroiditis will likely experience irregular heartbeats. This occurs because the thyroid gland release excess amounts of thyroid hormone, which can affect heartbeats. Specifically, excessive levels of thyroid hormone can cause tachycardia, or a fast heart beat that's often more than 100 beats per minute, irregular heartbeat or pounding of the heart. The change in heart rate may or may not be associated with physical activity. In this case, a patient should call his doctor to determine if immediate treatment is necessary for the irregular heartbeat. If a patient begins to feel dizzy or lightheaded, he should seek immediate medical treatment.
