thyroid gland and Tympanic membrane

The thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, produces hormones that are crucial for cell and tissue activity in the body. Thyroid diseases are widespread, especially among women, because the thyroid gland frequently malfunctions. Among the thyroid illnesses are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The tympanic membrane, often known as the eardrum, is a critical component of the ear. It is in charge of assisting in hearing and is usually difficult to keep from becoming irreparably damaged. Nonetheless, as difficult as it is, various causes contribute to temporal damage of the tympanic membrane, which frequently ends in hearing loss. The following paper provides information on health assessment histories conducted on both the tympanic membrane and the thyroid gland. Possible findings on the tympanic membrane are analyzed as well as details on how to examine the thyroid gland using the anterior and posterior methods. Finally, SOAP documentation has been recorded in line with the encountered findings.

Health assessment on the thyroid gland

Health assessment on the thyroid gland was conducted on a female patient aged 70 who attended regular checkups but had never been treated for hypothyroidism. The examination was undertaken mainly through a thyroid palpation. This palpation was done by a qualified endocrinologist. The cause of the condition was caused by excessive intake of iodine that was as a result of years of iodine deficiency (Marwaha et al., 2012). The assessment was also conducted over a period to determine the effect of time on the condition.

Several other examinations were conducted on the patent. They included a clinical history examination to determine both personal and family history, as these may be a defining factor in learning the occurrence of the disease. There was evidence of family history of thyroid dysfunction (Marwaha et al., 2012). The body weight and body mass index were also considered. More so, after the thyroid palpation was conducted, a thyroid ultrasonography was undertaken to enhance the results gotten from the palpation. An assay was also performed whereby blood samples were examined to determine the status of the thyroid function (thyroid hormones) and the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab).

Results from the palpation showed the presence of thyroid nodules. The ultrasonography showed the prevalence of these thyroid nodules, to indicate a malfunction in the thyroid (Marwaha et al., 2012). Furthermore, results of the assay showed that TPO Ab was most common in the patient. A comparison was made to determine the effect of gender, and it proved that women had a more severe and decisive presence of the antibody. Moreover, thyroid dysfunction was found to be higher in women (Marwaha et al., 2012). From this assessment, it is evident that overt hypothyroidism is common as age increases (Marwaha et al., 2012). Additionally, progression of hypothyroidism leads to a change from subclinical hypothyroidism to overt hypothyroidism, which is more severe.

Health assessment on the tympanic membrane

This evaluation was conducted on a patient who had not seen any medical practitioner previously concerning the issue. The patient was female aged 30. The tympanic membrane suffers perforations, whose characteristics lead to different degrees of deafness (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). The features include the size, location and the prevalence of the perforations. The perforations were as a result of trauma caused by the tympanic membrane by frequent beatings that the woman suffered.

As the assessment began, a history examination was done to determine previous occurrences of the perforations. The analysis showed that there were no prior perforations. Afterwards, a detailed study was conducted whereby an evaluation of the hearing loss was done. The leading cause of this review was the dryness of the tympanic membrane perforation. Furthermore, a blood CP test, as well as an x-ray, was done as part of routine investigations (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). A tunic fork test and a pure analysis were also conducted to measure the degree of hearing loss.

The examinations proved that the location of the perforations determined the degree of hearing loss. Posterior apertures caused a much worse effect on hearing loss as compared to anterior holes (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). Moreover, the increase in the size of the perforations, as well as their occurrence, resulted in the increased hearing loss.

There were several possible findings on the tympanic membrane throughout the assessment. First, different degrees of hearing loss are affected by tympanic membrane perforations caused by either trauma or chronic otitis media (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). Additionally, hearing deafness was also influenced by the duration of infection such that the longer the duration, the much the severity of hearing deafness. Another finding was that hearing loss resulting from the occurrence of anterior perforations was lower than that resulting from posterior apertures.

Examining the thyroid gland using both posterior and anterior methods

The most common way of testing the thyroid gland is through the palpation technique, which analyzes the physical deformation of the soft tissues in the neck (çiledag, Arda, Arıbas, Aktas & Köse, 2012). This method is used for both anterior and posterior directions. Here, the patient swallows water as the head is slightly tilted to provide an outline of the thyroid gland. The examiner stands behind an on both sides of the patient during the examination. The movement of the isthmus is also observed, in addition to abnormal enlargement, contour and the mass of the thyroid gland. A problem is noticed whereby the thyroid gland possesses irregular masses or prominent pulsations. After this examination is done, diagnostic testing is performed to establish the functionality of the thyroid. This may lead to other reexaminations such as ultrasonography among others.

SOAP documentation

The following is a SOAP documentation of the thyroid gland assessment

i. Subjective

The condition examined, in this case, hypothyroidism, was caused by excessive intake of iodine (Marwaha et al., 2012). The state was worsened as it progressed over time. Its severity led to the development of other diseases such as overt hypothyroidism. The modifying factors contributing to this severity was continued exposure to excess iodine. There were no records to show that the patient had visited another medical practitioner to be treated, just regular checkups.

ii. Objective

The vital signs presented by the patient included nodularity and goiter (Marwaha et al., 2012). A physical exam conducted through palpation showed the presence of thyroid nodules. Expected results would be a light gland that is small in size. A thyroid ultrasonography demonstrated increased prevalence of the buds, whereas assays showed that thyroid hypoechogenicity positively relates to the thyroid peroxidase antibody (Marwaha et al., 2012). For instance, the patient had nodules that were huge to show that the thyroid had a dysfunction. The expected results from a healthy thyroid would show no evidence of thyroid nodules. The patient was female aged 70 who displayed a prevalence of goiter. Weight was not a factor to be considered in this case.

iii. Assessment

The medical diagnosis from the examination was that thyroid dysfunction; especially hypothyroidism is more prevalent as age advances.

iv. Plan

Things to do to treat the patient included making the patient more iodine-replete to reduce instances of iodine deficiency.

A SOAP documentation was also developed for the tympanic membrane assessment and is as documented below.

i. Subjective

The onset of the disease was as a result of trauma caused by being beaten around the ear area (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). The condition worsened as time progressed. Its severity was characterized by hearing loss caused by perforations. The situation was further exacerbated by increased perforations and infections. Additional symptoms included malleolar holes. The patient had not seen another medical practitioner before the assessment was conducted.

ii. Objective

One of the vital signs was increased tympanic membrane temperature measured using tympanic membrane thermometers. A physical exam that measured the anterior and posterior perforations showed different sizes and frequencies of the apertures. The tuning test was used to measure the degree of hearing loss (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). The expected results from this analysis prove the extent at which the perforations have damaged the membrane to cause hearing loss. For instance, anterior perforations may lead to less hearing damage as compared to posterior holes which create more hearing damage. A laboratory exam was conducted through an X-ray and showed evidence of sclerosis (Rafique, Farrukh & Shaikh, 2014). Expected results from x-rays are the presence of malleolar and nonmalleolar perforations. The patient was female aged 30. Weight was also not a considerable factor in this assessment.

iii. Assessment

The evaluation conducted led to the diagnosis of hearing loss as a result of increased perforations in different occurrences.

iv. Plan

As a result of the evaluation, treating the patient would require the use of systemic antibiotics and frequent education on the consequences of trauma on the tympanic membrane.

In conclusion, the tympanic membrane and the thyroid gland are essential elements of the human body. Damage to these organs may lead to dire consequences. Thyroid dysfunctions include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism among others. The thyroid gland is also examined through palpations that could either be anterior or posterior. The tympanic membrane may also suffer trauma thereby resulting in hearing loss. Hearing loss is caused by different perforations on the tympanic membrane. These vital organs should be taken care of to avoid damage and the resulting conditions.

References

çiledag, N., Arda, K., Arıbas, B., Aktas, E., & Köse, S. (2012). The Utility of Ultrasound Elastography and MicroPure Imaging in the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules. American Journal Of Roentgenology, 198(3), W244-W249. http://dx.doi.org/10.2214/ajr.11.6763

Marwaha, R., Tandon, N., Ganie, M., Kanwar, R., Sastry, A., & Garg, M. et al. (2012). Status of thyroid function in Indian adults: Two decades after universal salt iodization. J Assoc Physicians India, 60, 32-6.

Rafique, M., Farrukh, M., & Shaikh, A. (2014). Assessment of hearing loss in tympanic membrane perforation at tertiary care hospitals. JLUMHS, 13(1), 33-36.