Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is a condition which occurs due to the excess secretion of thyroxin by the thyroid gland that leads to hyperthyroidism. It is characterized by the enlargement of thyroid gland, protrusion of eye balls, increased heartbeat, etc. It is also known as toxic diffuse goiter or exophthalmic goiter.

Graves' disease occurs commonly in infants, elderly people, and children. Women are more likely to be affected by this disease than men.

Explanation:
The pituitary gland in the brain secretes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The TSH combines with Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and take part in the stimulation of thyroid gland to secrete thyroxin. The thyroxin hormone is responsible for maintaining metabolism of the body i.e. the rate at which food is converted into energy. The rate of metabolism depends upon the amount of hormones flow in the blood stream.

When a person is affected by graves disease, antibodies of the TSHR are produced by the body. These auto antibodies combine with the TSHR which stimulates the thyroid hormone to produce excess thyroxin. Due to the over secretion, the metabolism rate is increased which results in increased heartbeat, high level of perspiration, trembling etc.

Causes:
The cause of the goiter disease which induces the immune system to attack the thyroid gland is not known. But doctors believe that combination of the factors like Heredity, Sex, Age, and Stress may lead to this disease.

Symptoms:
The common symptoms of graves disease include,

• Enlargement of thyroid gland
• Uneasiness of mind
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Light menstrual periods
• Loss of weight despite normal food intake
• Tremor
• Increased blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Increase in bowel movements
• Reddish skin

Effects:
The three main effects of the Graves' disease are

Hyperthyroidism: - In Hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland starts over functioning. Thyroid hormone regulates the body's use of energy. When a thyroid is over functioning, the gland produces too much thyroid hormone which causes many disorders in the bodily functions such as increase in heart rate or blood pressure. Digestion can speed up, and overall, symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, insomnia, and anxiety point can all point to an abnormally fast metabolism.

Ophthalmopathy: - In Ophthalmopathy, the tissues and muscles behind the eyes swell which forces the eyeball to move forward. The eyeball bulges out passing its protective orbit and hence the front end of the eyes may become dry. Cigarette smokers who have goiter suffer from eye irritation. Some of the other effects due to the disease are
1. Excess discharge of tears and irritation on both the eyes
2. Sensitivity to light which causes reddened eyes.
3. Space between the eyelids widens
4. Blurred an double vision
5. Bulging of tissues around the eyes

Dermopathy: - In Dermopathy, the skin reddens and bulges, often ending up with itching and pigmentation in the skin. This complexity is visible often on the chin and top of the foot.

During pregnancy, the goiter affected mother is likely to transmit the disease to the fetus. One to five percent of the fetus is affected by Graves' disease from the mother.

Treatment:
Graves' disease can be diagnosed by physical examination, testing the blood or intake of radioactive iodine. By intake of small amount of radio active iodine, the rate at which the thyroid gland absorbs iodine is measured. If the rate is high, then the person is prone to goiter. The treatments taken for the disease are

• Anti thyroid medication, in which the patient is injected with anti thyroid drugs that reduces the secretion of thyroxin. This treatment should last for at least one year to be effective.
• Treatment with Beta-Blockers in which the chemicals like atenolol and metropolol blocks some of the activity of thyroid gland, thus reducing the complexity of the disease.
• Treatment with radio active iodine

in which it shrinks the cells of thyroid gland, thus reduces the secretion of thyroxin.

If the disease becomes serious, the only remedy is to remove the thyroid gland by surgery. Then the patient is given periodic treatment for the normal supply of iodine for the body.