Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month: Graves' Disease.
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' Ophthalmopa...