What Does Graves’s Disease Do to Your Body?

Graves’ disease comes under the category of autoimmune problem, which forces thyroid glands of humans to produce hormones in excessive amounts and it causes hyperthyroidism condition.

Graves’ disease causes adverse effects on the human body:

Based on the introduction of the problem, we should say that Graves’ disease causes autoimmune problems in the body of human beings. However, autoimmune issues may be of different forms or types i.e. develop whenever the immune system causes diseases because of the attack of healthy tissues. Researchers have failed to understand completely about the exact reasons behind causing autoimmunity, although they have predicted a genetic connection associated with various cases of Graves’ disease, which tend to continue among family members.

In case of Graves’ disease, the immune system of a human body creates antibodies, which causes the growth of thyroid and production of thyroid hormones in excessively higher amounts than what exactly required by the body. Doctors call these antibodies as TSIs i.e. Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins, which remain bind to various thyroid cell receptors i.e. docking stations available for hormones responsible to stimulate thyroid problems or to produce thyroid hormones in excessive amounts. TSI then trick thyroid to grow and produce excessive thyroid hormones resulting in the problem of hyperthyroidism.

Individuals suffering from Graves’s disease deal with a few common symptoms, which include the following-

• Bulging eyes
• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Insomnia or difficulty to sleep
• Hypertension or elevated blood pressure
• Hand tremors
• Fatigue feelings
• Increase of sweating
• Irritability or feelings of nervousness
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Diarrhea or frequent stools
• Muscular weakness
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Sensitivity towards heat
• Restlessness
• Difficulty to take breath or breathing shortness
• Unexplained or excessive weight loss
• Changes in vision or other eye problems

Graves’ disease belongs to the category of hyperthyroidism that causes eyes inflammation, bulging eyes and other related eye or vision problems. Graves’ ophthalmopathy or Graves’ orbitopathy is a specific type of eye problem caused from Graves’ disease. Other eye/vision problems related to hyperthyroidism, as mentioned here may be of mild type or severe ones. In mild cases, eyes become inflamed or red and sometimes, they become teary or sensitive towards light rays. However, in severe cases, Graves’s disease may cause swelling of eyes’ tissues and muscles or protrude eyes from the sockets.

Goiter refers to the problem of enlarged thyroid gland, which causes swelling at the front portion of one’s neck. Goiter associated with Graves’ disease implies diffuse thyrotoxic goiters. These goiters may be of small lumps or may be of large size. The problem of goiter creates difficulty in swallowing of food items or drinks difficult. Moreover, if it becomes enough big, it also forces you to cough continuously and create difficulty to sleep.

In some of the rare cases, Graves’ disease causes development of reddish and lumpy patches and makes the shin skin thick. Doctors call this skin condition as pretibial myxedema. Despite it does not appear severe; it is often of painless type and is not actually serious. Although, a large number of individuals suffering from Graves’ disease witness most of the aforementioned problems; not all of them experience symptoms during the initial stages of their conditions.

References:

Also Read:

• Graves’ Disease or Basedow-Graves Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Ophthalmopathy, Dermopathy
• Home Remedies for Graves’ Disease
• Can Graves’s Disease Make You Blind?
• Can you be Cured of Graves’ Disease?
• Can Graves’ Disease Affect Your Eyes?