Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month: Graves' Disease.

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graves
Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in too much production of hormones in the thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Thyroid hormones affect a great number of systems in the body, so there is a wide range of symptoms of Graves' that can significantly impact ones overall well-being.

What causes Graves' Disease?
Graves' is caused by an immune system malfunction. The body produces an antibody to a portion of the cells in the thyroid gland. This antibody acts like it is a regular pituitary gland. It overrides the normal mechanics of the thyroid, causing the thyroid to produce too many hormones.

Symptoms of Graves' Disease
-Irritability
-Anxiety
-Hand tremors
-Sensitivity to heat
-Increased sweating
-Thyroid gland becomes enlarged
-Bulging eyes
-Heart palpitations
-Decreased sexual libido

What is Graves' opthalmopathy?
It is estimated that 30% of the individuals who have Graves' disease have something called Graves' Ophthalmopathy. In this disorder, individuals experience inflammation and a series of internal symptoms that cause the eyes to bulge. Eye sight and increased pain in the eye are also experienced.

What is Graves' dermopathy
Although rare, this type of Graves' Disease can occur. Symptoms may include reddening and thickening of the skin on your shins and the tops of your feet.

Risk factors for Graves' Disease
-Family genetics
-Women are much more likely to develop this disease.
-Individuals under 40 years of age.
-Individuals afflicted with other autoimmune diseases.
-Smoking
-Pregnancy

Testing and diagnosis for Graves' Disease.
In order to accurately diagnose someone with Graves' Disease, your doctor will conduct a physical exam. He or she will check your eyes and thyroid. Your doctor will order blood tests, checking your TSH levels. The doctor will also be looking at the levels of a certain antibody that is known to cause Graves' Disease.

Other tests may include:
-Radioactive iodine uptake
-Ultrasound
-Imaging tests

How is Graves' Disease treated?
The goals for treatment is to restrain the production of hormones and also to block the effect of the hormones from impacting the body.

Treatments may include:
-Radioactive iodine therapy
-Anti-thyroid medications
-Beta blockers
-Surgery

Closing remarks:
If you suspect that you might have Graves' Disease, contact your doctor right away.

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