Graves disease
In Graves disease is the immune system called antibodies that cause the thyroid to an unchecked excessive hormone production. Other tissues can be affected by these antibodies. Often the eyes and the tissue around the eyes are affected. Less often is an involvement of the skin such as the rail leg.
Causes
Graves disease triggered by various causes. One reason alone is not usually too sick to be.
Causes are:
- an inherited genetic predisposition
- Infections still unknown pathogens (bacteria, viruses)
- Jodbelastungen eg by drugs or iodinated contrast media
- hormonal changes such as puberty, stopping the pill, hormonal changes after childbirth or miscarriage, early menopause
- psychological stress of various kinds
Symptoms
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Weight loss
- Unrest
- Trembling of the hands
- Sleep disorders
- Hair loss
- Eye problems such as redness, swelling or bulging eyes, eyelid swelling, pressure behind the eyes
Complications
If not recognize or can not handle the unrestrained excessive hormone production result in a life-hormone poisoning. An early and individualized treatment is necessary.
to avoid surgery to relieve swelling of the tissue strong case in the orbits, the optic nerve to a permanent damage to eyesight. This complication is fortunately very rare.
Therapy
There are different treatment options to the individual course must be adapted, as not every illness immediately expire.
Three main treatment options are known:
- Inhibition of hormone production by thyroid-inhibiting medications (antithyroid)
- Inhibition or elimination of their own hormone production by the thyroid Radioiodine therapy followed by hormone replacement
- Surgical removal of the thyroid gland with subsequent hormone replacement
For the treatment of eye disease in Graves' disease, various drugs, possibly an irradiation of the eye muscles, or if necessary surgery on the eye are available. It is treated by a specialist ophthalmologist.
Iodine (iodized salt, sea fish, iodine-containing medications) should be avoided as this encourages disease.
Research
All known therapies treat only symptoms of the disease. To find a causal therapy, which cures the underlying disorder of the immune system, further scientific studies are required.