|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Graves Disease |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Graves'
disease
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
DIABETES AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Endocrine System Graves disease, named after Robert J.
Graves, MD, circa 1830s, is an autoimmune disease characterized by
hyperthyroidism due to circulating autoantibodies. Thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulins (TSIs) bind to and activate the thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH) receptors, causing the thyroid gland to grow and the
thyroid follicles to increase synthesis of thyroid hormone. Graves
disease, along with Hashimoto thyroiditis, is classified as an
autoimmune thyroid disorder. Graves' disease is the most common form of
hyperthyroidism. It occurs when your immune system, which normally
protects your body from bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attacks your
thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce the thyroid hormone,
thyroxine. This autoimmune response can also affect the tissue behind
your eyes (Graves' ophthalmopathy) and the skin on your lower legs and
feet (Graves' dermopathy). When you have too much thyroid hormone
in your system, your body's metabolism rate can increase by 60 percent
to 100 percent, because thyroxine regulates your cells' metabolism. A
higher metabolism can lead to a number of health problems, such as an
irregular heartbeat or anxiety. Graves' disease is rarely
life-threatening. Although it may develop at any age and in either men
or women, Graves' disease is far more common in women and usually begins
between 20 and 40 years of age. There's no way to stop your immune
system from attacking the thyroid gland, but treatments can decrease the
production of thyroxine. Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms of Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism may include:
It's also fairly common for your eyes to experience mild signs and symptoms of a condition known as Graves' ophthalmopathy. In Graves' ophthalmopathy, your eyeball pushes out past its protective orbit. This occurs as tissues and muscles behind your eye swell and cause your eyeball to move forward. Because your eye is so far forward, the front surface of your eye can become dry. The condition may cause these mild signs and symptoms:
Less often, Graves' ophthalmopathy can produce these signs and symptoms:
Eye problems and the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism usually appear within 18 months of each other. Cigarette smokers with Graves' disease are more likely to have eye problems. Another uncommon sign of Graves' disease is reddening and swelling of the skin, often on your shins and on the top of your feet, called Graves' dermopathy. Related Site: Graves' disease > 1 > 2 > 3 > 4
Related Site:
Treatments
Treatments Programs:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
