What is Graves disease

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.

In Graves' disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to enlarge and produce more thyroid hormones than the body needs. This leads to a variety of symptoms, including weight loss, rapid heartbeat, irritability, anxiety, tremors, and increased sensitivity to heat.

One distinctive feature of Graves' disease is the presence of exophthalmos, which is the bulging of the eyes due to inflammation and swelling of the tissues behind the eyes. This can cause eye discomfort, double vision, and in severe cases, vision loss.

Diagnosis of Graves' disease involves a combination of physical examination, blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels, and imaging tests to assess the thyroid gland and eye involvement. Treatment options include medications to regulate thyroid hormone levels, radioactive iodine therapy to reduce thyroid activity, or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland.

It is important for individuals with Graves' disease to receive ongoing medical care to manage their symptoms and prevent complications.