Graves Disease Symptoms

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease, which is a form of hyperthyroidism. In Graves' disease, patient's immune system attacks his thyroid gland resulting in excessive production of thyroxin. Due to high level of thyroxin, patient's metabolism increases and also, excess of thyroxin affects patient's overall health, physical appearance and even his mood and temperament.

Although both women and men of any age can be affected by Graves' disease, but it commonly affects women of 20 years or above. Currently, no treatment has been found to cure Graves' disease, but some specific treatments are available to slow down the thyroxin production to ease the symptoms of Graves' disease. Given below are various signs of this hyperthyroidism form, take a look:

• insomnia
• mood swings
• increased sweating
• nervousness
• nausea
• irritability
• tremors and shocks
• rapid heart rate
• increased appetite
• weight loss even though your diet has increased
• frequent bowel movements
• feeling excessively hot for most of the time
• muscle weakness
• brittle hair
• enlarged thyroid gland (Goitre)
• anxiety
• shortness of breath
• in women, menstrual pattern will be disturbed or menstrual cycles may stop all together
• in middle-aged people or in people with heart ailments, Graves' disease may cause chest pain or heart-failure.

Other conditions caused by Graves' disease: Goitre Goitre caused inflammation of the lower front portion of the neck (which feels like a lump) caused by the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Apart from lump, goitre may cause the following symptoms:

• difficulty in breathing
• trouble in swallowing
• persistent bouts of cough
• sore throat

If the symptoms of Goitre are not much pronounced, its treatment may not be difficult. The severe cases of Goitre require thyroid hormones, radioactive iodine, or surgery.

Eye Symptoms Graves' disease may also lead to inflamed tissues around the eyes. It looks as if eyes are bulging out of the eye socket and eyelids appear to be pulled back. The person may complain of having double vision, itching in the eyes and continuous tears.

Skin Symptoms

In rare cases, Graves' disease may also affect appearance of skin. Skin may appear thicker and darker than usual. Along with changes in skin, Graves' disease may also cause swelling of the feet and lower legs.Skin in this swollen area may appear thicker and darker than normal skin, and it may itch. To diagnose symptoms of Graves' disease, a doctor physically examines the patient's neck and throat or conducts a blood test to detect overproduction of thyroxin.