graves

Graves' Disease

Of the diseases that are noticeably widespread is grave's disease, so you may be wondering about what is grave's disease and how it can be infected and how its symptoms are, and more than that, so follow this article with us to learn more.

What is grave's disease?

It is a disorder of the immune system that leads to the overproduction of thyroid hormones (increased thyroid activity). Although there are a number of disorders that may lead to this increase, Graves' disease is a common cause. Thyroid hormones affect a number of different body systems, so signs and symptoms associated with Graves' disease may be widespread, and they greatly affect your general safety.

Although this disease may affect anyone, it is more common among women, and before the age of 40 years. The primary goal of the treatment is to inhibit the increase in the production of thyroid hormones and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Causes of grave's disease

It occurs as a result of an imbalance in the body's immune system. Usually, the immune system protects against any foreign objects that enter the body, such as bacteria and viruses. This is done by forming the immune system of antibodies through a type of blood cell called lymphocytes. These antibodies attack and destroy foreign bodies and eliminate them.

Sometimes the immune system is disrupted, so lymphocytes begin to form antibodies that attack and destroy body tissues. This is what happens in Graves' disease, where antibodies capture the surface of thyroid cells and stimulate them to produce a large number of thyroid hormones. This leads to hyperthyroidism. And it was found that this defect in the immune system and infection with Graves' disease is often after exposure to severe stress and nervous pressure.

Symptoms of Graves' disease

Common signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include:

• Anxiety and excitement.
• Simple jerk in hands or fingers.
• Allergy to heat, increased sweating, or warmth and moisture of the skin.
• Lose weight despite natural eating habits.
• Goiter.
• Change in menstrual cycles.
• Erectile dysfunction, or decreased libido.
• Frequent bowel movements.
• Puffy eyes (Graves' myelopathy).
• Fatigue.
• Thickness and redness of the skin, usually on the legs, or the top of the feet (Graves' dermatopathy).
• Fast or irregular heartbeat (heart palpitations).

Treating Graves' disease

• Anti-thyroid medications: This category includes both propylthiouracil and methimazole. Beta-blocker blockers can also be used to relieve your symptoms until you start treatment with radioactive iodine.
• Radioactive iodine therapy: This is the most common and effective method for treating Graves' disease by taking iodine-131 and is done by eating pills containing this type of iodine.
• Thyroidectomy surgically: Although thyroidectomy is not common as a treatment for Graves' disease, it remains an available option that can be resorted to in several cases, such as cases of failure of previous treatment options or in the event of suspicion of thyroid cancer or if the infected woman is pregnant as You cannot take radioactive iodine during pregnancy.
• Diet for Graves' patients: Although there is no evidence that a type of food is able to prevent or treat Graves' disease, there are many foods that improve the health condition of Graves' disease and others that are advised to stay away from them and not eat them.

References

Bunevicius, R. (2012, August 29). Psychiatric Manifestations of Graves’ Hyperthyroidism. CNS Drugs. https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00023210-200620110-00003?error=cookies_not_supported&code=78384b6e-1885-4e88-8965-898e6bb688dc#citeas

Treatment of an overactive or enlarged thyroid gland with radioactive iodine. (2019b, September 11). British Thyroid Foundation. https://www.btf-thyroid.org/treatment-of-an-over-active-or-enlarged-thyroid-gland-with-radioactive-iodine