Essay on Graves Disease - 1625 Words

Graves Disease The disease was first noted in 1786 by Caleb Hillier Parry 1755- 1822, physician from General Hospital, Bath, England. His account was published posthumously in 1825. However Graves disease is named after the Irish physician who described several cases in London Medical Journal in 1835. Graves disease is also known as Parrys disease. In Europe, the disease is known as Basedows disease. It is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis (the morbid condition due to over activity of the thyroid gland). The disorder has three major manifestations: Hyperthyroidism with diffuse goiter Ophthalmopathy and Dermopathy The three manifestations need not appear together. Indeed one or two never appear, and moreover,†¦show more content†¦TSH not only stimulates the thyroid gland to churn out more hormones. If in excess, can cause overwhelming cell growth and division to result in goiter. Most T3 and T4 released into the bloodstream are bound to proteins. Only the free component is biologically active and it is this component which decides the manifestations of thyrotoxicosis. The hormones exert their effects mainly by binding to nuclear receptors in cells to affect expression of genes. In the presence of excess T3 and T4, an increase in number as well as affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart is noted. These receptors facilitate the action of fight, flight and fright hormones ( epinephrine, norepinephrine) which are positively chronotropic ( beat faster) and inotropic ( pump harder) to the heart. This may then lead to cardiac failure in older patients. In fact, mild hyperthyroidism may produce severe disability in patients with underlying heart disease. Hence, all patients with unexplained cardiac failure or atrial arrhythmias should be examined for thyrotoxicosis. Hyperthyroidism also increases the basal metabolic rate, heat production and oxygen consumption (calorigenic action) of many tissues. Body temperature increases slightly and the patient experiences intolerance to heat. Flushing and sweating are just compensatoryShow MoreRelated Graves Disease Essay981 Words   |  4 PagesGraves’ disease was named after Robert J. Graves, MD, around the 1830’s. It is an autoimmune disease indicated by hyperthyroidism due to circulating autoantibodies, which is an antibody that attacks the person’s own body. The immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which causes it to produce too much thyroxine. Thyroxine is a hormone that helps control growth and also regulates metabolism in the body. While the thyroxine levels are high the patient’s metabolic rate increases, which can have an effectRead MoreGraves Disease772 Words   |  4 PagesGraves Disease The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves disease. This is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland and triggers the release of high levels of thyroid hormones. 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Hashimotos disease specifically attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammationRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Autoimmune Diseases834 Words   |  4 Pagesautoimmune diseases Autoimmune diseases are caused by auto-antibodies, according to auto-antibodies can be divided into: organ-specific, which affects one organ; non-organ specific, which are a multisystem disease. 2.1. Organ-specific 2.1.1. Autoimmune thyroid diseases They are a common cause of thyroid disorders and it is caused by auto-antibodies against the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSH), intracytoplasmic antigen or thyroglobulin. 2.1.1.1.Grave s disease Grave s disease is the mostRead MoreThe Human Body Of The Thyroid Gland1254 Words   |  6 Pagesthis case will be on overactive thyroid glands and on the specific case of Graves’ disease. Hyperthyroidism is a term used to describe an overactive thyroid gland. This is usually prevented by the process mentioned above, however there are some factors that can cause hyperthyroidism. One of these factors is Graves’ disease. In Graves’ disease, a response in the body’s immune system (the system which defends against disease) causes the antibody thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) to be produced