Graves Disease

Graves disease is an an autoimmune disorder that can lead to over-activity of thyroid glands.  Graves disease is  the most common type of hyperthyroidism.  It is caused by an unusual immune system that makes the thyroid gland produce a lot more of the hormone that it really should.

Symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Breast enlargement in men (possible)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Double vision
• Eyeballs that stick out (exophthalmos)
• Eye irritation and tearing
• Fatigue
• Frequent bowel movements
• Goiter (possible)
• Heat intolerance
• Increased appetite
• Increased sweating
• Insomnia
• Irregular menstrual periods in women
• Muscle weakness
• Nervousness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations or arrhythmia)
• Restlessness and difficulty sleeping
• Shortness of breath with activity
• Tremorhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001398/
  
  Treatment is surgery, radiation, and medication.