Graves' disease

Graves' disease is a disease of the immune system that causes overactive thyroid gland becomes. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system attacks the body's own cells rather than protect them against foreign invaders. In Graves' disease, the immune system produces chemicals, called immunoglobulins that stimulate the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. This state of overactive thyroid gland is referred to as hyperthyroidism.

Doctors do not yet know what causes Graves' disease, but the fact that it tends to affect multiple people from the same family indicates that this may have a genetic component (hereditary). It is possible that abnormal production of immunoglobulins are triggered by an unknown factor in the environment and the immune system is unable to interrupt this overproduction due to a hereditary defect.

Graves' disease affects more women than men and is most common between 20 and 40 years, although it can occur at any age.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent Graves' disease.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on two objectives: to improve quickly the signs / symptoms of hyperthyroidism and slow the production of thyroid hormone by the gland.

The symptoms of palpitations, increased heart rate, tremor and nervousness are treated with a drug beta-blocker, such as propranolol. For anxiety and for insomnia, your doctor may prescribe diazepam, lorazepam or similar medication.

To prevent excessive quantities of thyroid hormone, there are three possible treatments: The anti-thyroid antibodies, radioactive iodine and surgery.

Graves' disease is often treated with anti-thyroid drug, methimazole which blocks the formation of thyroid hormones. It is also available another anti-thyroid, called propylthiouracil, but this drug should only be used in patients who can not tolerate methimazole or in women just before and during the first trimester of pregnancy. From the moment in which the thyroid hormone levels reached normal values, the patient may decide, together with their doctor if the medication should continue daily anti-thyroid or will choose a treatment with radioactive iodine.

Radioactive iodine is a treatment administered orally at a dose large enough, totally preventing the thyroid gland to produce the hormone. Once the person receiving therapy with radioactive iodine store a small amount of radiation in the thyroid gland, they should avoid prolonged contact with children and pregnant women for several days after treatment. Radioactive iodine is concentrated in breast milk, so women should stop breastfeeding if they choose this therapy. After performing this treatment is that the patient must take thyroid hormone medication daily for the rest of his life.

Surgery for Graves disease is rarely performed. However, people with very bulky goiter are less likely to respond well to anti-thyroid drugs or radioactive iodine, and may provide better results if most of the thyroid gland is surgically removed (called subtotal thyroidectomy).

Patients with eye signs of Graves' disease can be treated with ophthalmic eye drops to keep the eyes moist and sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun, wind and dust. In people with severe ocular symptoms, medications may be needed corticosteroids, administered either alone or in combination with radiotherapy treatments directed to the muscles that control eye movements. Skin manifestations of Graves' disease can be treated with corticosteroid creams and ointments.