Events Details

Goiter Awareness Week

January 22, 2024 to January 28, 2024

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 on December 11, 2016, Goiter Awareness Week is observed every fourth week of January.

The lack of iodine in the body may result to Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) that has different signs and symptoms. Pregnant mothers who lack iodine in their body may experience miscarriage or give birth to a stillborn baby. Adult with iodine deficiency may encounter lethargy, lack of mental alertness, obesity, dry hair and goiter.

Goiter is a health condition that involves the enlargement of the thyroid gland. This causes the formation of a lump in the front of the neck. Most goiters produce no symptoms, but when symptoms occur, the following are the most common; Tightness in the throat, cough and hoarseness and trouble in swallowing.

Goiter can be caused by a number of different conditions like Iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease (Grave's disease) and hyperthyroidism as well as smoking and hormonal changes.

Most simple goiters are preventable through adequate intake of iodine, which is added to table salt and also found in foods like tuna, shrimp, seaweed, cheese and cow's milk.