Goiter IllustrationGrave’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to over activity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Diffuse toxic goiter: Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (over activity of the thyroid gland), with generalized diffuse over activity (“toxicity”) of the entire thyroid gland which becomes enlarged into a goiter.

Causes
When the body makes too much thyroid hormone, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. (An underactive thyroid leads to hypothyroidism.)

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is due to an abnormal immune system response that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Graves’ disease is most common in women over age 20, but the disorder can occur at any age and can affect men as well.

Symptoms
Younger patients may have these symptoms:

Older patients may have these symptoms:

Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Graves OphthalmopathyAbout 30 percent of people with Graves’ disease show some signs and symptoms of Graves Ophthalmopathy. In Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, inflammation and other immune system events affect muscles and other tissues around your eyes. The resulting signs and symptoms may include:

Graves’ Ophthalmopathy is also known as thyroid eye disease (TED), dysthyroid/thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) or Graves’ orbitopath.

Graves’ Dermopathy (also known as Pretibial Myxedema)
Pretibial Myxedema or Graves' DermopathyAn uncommon manifestation of Graves’ disease, called Graves’ Dermopathy is the reddening and thickening of the skin, most often on the shins or the tops of the feet.

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of Graves disease. Also call if your eye problems or other symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism with:

Alternative Names: Diffuse thyrotoxic goiter

Why Choose Olympic Spine & Sports Therapy?

If you have ever trained for an athletic event or worked hard to get back into shape, you have probably experienced the dreaded “injury cycle.” The cycle of many exercise-related injuries frequently follows a similar pattern. After finally admitting to yourself that the pain was more than just soreness, you go to your medical doctor. There, your doctor either prescribes pain medication, instructs you to rest until you lose all the fitness you just worked so hard to gain, or gives you the option of rehabilitation with a physical therapist. Many medical doctors choose hospital-based physical therapy (PT) as their first choice for referrals. However, many serious and recreational athletes alike rely on a sports recovery chiropractor for their injury treatments.