Graves Disease Essay

I. Graves’ disease is an immune system disorder that causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones called hyperthyroidism. Although there are many diseases that cause hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the number one cause. It is named after Robert Graves, an Irish physician, described this form of hyperthyroidism about 150 years ago. Graves’ disease is caused by a process in the body’s immune system, that normally protects the body from bacteria and viruses. The immune system destroys the bacteria with substances called antibodies which are produced by blood cells called lymphocytes. Some people inherit a poor immune system, as their lymphocytes make antibodies against their own tissues that stimulate or damage them. “In Graves’ disease, antibodies
The reason Graves' disease occurs is still unknown, however, it caused by an impairment in the body's disease-fighting immune system. The bodies’ immune system response is to produce antibodies designed to target specific bacteria and viruses. In Graves' disease, for reasons that are unknown, the body produces an antibody to one part of the cells in the thyroid gland, a hormone-producing gland in the neck. Normally, thyroid function is regulated by a hormone released by a tiny gland at the base of the brain (pituitary gland). The antibody associated with Graves' disease — thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) — acts like the regulatory pituitary hormone. That means that TRAb overrides the normal regulation of the thyroid, causing an overproduction of thyroid hormones called hyperthyroidism (Mayo Clinic,
Signs and symptoms associated with this disease, are “anxiety and irritability, a fine tremor of your hands or fingers, heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin, weight loss, despite normal eating habits, enlargement of your thyroid gland (goiter), change in menstrual cycles, erectile dysfunction or reduced libido, frequent bowel movements, bulging eyes (Graves' ophthalmopathy), thick, red skin usually on the shins or tops of the feet (Graves' dermopathy), and rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)” (Mayo Clinic, 2014).
Around 30 percent of people with Graves' disease have a condition known as Graves' ophthalmopathy. In Graves' ophthalmopathy, inflammation affect the muscles and tissues encompassing the eyes. Some symptoms and signs include, bulging eyes, pressure or pain in the eyes, gritty sensation in the eyes, reddened or inflamed eyes, puffy or retracted eyelids, double vision, light sensitivity, and vision