Graves Disease
Transcript: Signs and Symptoms II. RadioactiveIdoine Generalized diffuse overactivity ("toxicity") of the entire thyroid gland which becomes enlarged into a goiter. Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. 111.Antithyroid Swelling at the front side of the base of the neck, ranging from a small lump to a general enlargement is a sign of a goiter. If you have hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), you may also experience weight loss despite an increased appetite, an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, nervousness, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and hand tremors. If you have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), you may also experience lethargy, slowed physical and mental functions, depression, a lower heart rate, an intolerance to cold, constipation, easy weight gain, and tingling or numbness in your hands. Cause of Graves Disease Graves Disease In babies with the inherited form of hypothyroidism, the condition affects growth and cognitive development. It may cause mental retardation, delayed puberty, stunted growth, and ataxia (not able to coordinate muscle movements). In adults, hypothyroidism slows the body's metabolism, and they feel mentally and physically sluggish. Symptoms may be weakness, fatigue, muscle aches, mood swings, hair loss, memory loss, or slow speech. A person's symptoms will depend upon how little thyroid hormone they produce, and for how long they have had the disorder. When the body is deprived of thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland works overtime, producing extra thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This glut of TSH may enlarge the thyroid into a condition called a goiter. (cc) image by nuonsolarteam on Flickr Graves' disease is one of the most common of all thyroid problems. It is all the leading cause of hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones. Once the disorder has been correctly diagnosed, it is quite easy to treat. In some cases, Graves' disease goes into remission or disappears completely after several months or years. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications even death. Videos Treatments Spark Medication for life http://video.about.com/thyroid/Thyroglobulin-Protein.htm http://video.about.com/thyroid/Thyroid-Disease.htm 1. Surgery Hypothyroidism Treatments 1st step