Ten Things You Need To Know About Grave’s Disease, The Medical Condition That Vybz Cartel Has

You must have come across a photo of dancehall artiste Vybz Cartel that clearly shows his face swollen. While many mistook it as being overweight, but it is actually an autoimmune condition that affects thyroid immune system. This is what you need to know about a condition that affects about 20 to 30 people in every 100,000 people.

1. Also known as toxic diffuse goiter

Graves’ disease also known as toxic diffuse goiter or Basedow’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects majorly the thyroid gland, as it produces excessive hormones and often results in an enlarged thyroid. This means that the immune system of the affected person dysfunctions and starts to attack the healthy cells of the body.

When the thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t produce enough hormones to regulate various bodily functions, leading to a buildup of certain substances in the skin, including extra fluid. This is also called water retention or oedema, which then leads to puffiness, particularly around the eyes, lips, and cheeks, resulting to swollen body.

2. More common in women

Researchers are yet figure out the causes of autoimmune diseases including the Graves’ disease. There are some environmental factors in combination with having a genetic predisposition that may increase chances of getting this disease. The disease is typically more common among people aged between 30 to 50 years, but it can also affect children and older adults.

Also, women are at a higher risk of getting the disease, mainly due to their immune system. Experts say women have vigorous immune response compared to men, which unfortunately makes them more prone to autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease which are leading causes of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Further, people who have a family history of thyroid disease are also at a higher risk.

3. Increased appetite

The symptoms often take several weeks or months to appear. Since hyperthyroidism increases the speed of body functions, symptoms such as increased heartbeats and excessive sweating are common. There is also increased appetite and difficulty in sleeping. In addition to having an enlarged goiter, one can also get thin, moist and warm skin. One may get frequent diarrheas which with time may lead to significant weight loss that can make one to feel shaky and nervous, in addition to muscle weakness. Since this disease has many symptoms, one may experience few of them, while other people may experience all the symptoms at the same time. On rare occasions, people with Graves’ disease may develop a lumpy reddish thickening of the skin on their shins called Graves’ dermopathy. It’s usually painless and mild but it can be painful for some people.

4. Diagnosis involves blood testing

Graves’ disease is diagnosed through questions, physical exams and tests. Responding to questions on ones’ symptoms and their family medical history with the thyroid diseases is one way a healthcare provider can pre-determine on whether its Grave disease and send the patient for further testing or not. The tests include the thyroid blood test to check the level of thyroid hormone in the blood as well as the thyroid antibody blood test to help identify the type of the autoimmune thyroid condition. Thyroid uptake and scan uses radioactive iodine while doppler blood flow measurement is used in case one is pregnant or breastfeeding and radioactive iodine is not a good option.

5. Treatment options include surgery

Although Graves’ disease doesn’t have cure, there are some treatments that can be used to help manage the condition as they keep the thyroid hormone levels in check.

Use of beta blockers can be used to regulate heart rate and protect the heart until further hyperthyroidism treatments take effect. Antithyroid medication can also be be used to block further production of the thyroid hormones. There is also a form of therapy which involves taking one dose of radioactive iodine in pill or liquid form. After few months, the radiation lowers the production of thyroid hormones and also slows down destruction of the thyroid gland cells. The radiation does not affect any other part of the body.

Lastly, a surgery process called thyroidectomy which involves surgically removing all or part of the thyroid gland helps to control production of the thyroid hormones and may lead to low hormones and patients may need to take thyroid hormone replacements all their lives.

6. Risky to pregnant women

Graves’ disease during pregnancy can
be harmful to both the mother and the fetus. This is because thyroid hormones plays a key role in the development of a fetus’ brain and nervous system. Too much production of thyroid hormone can increase the risk of low birth weight, miscarriage, preeclampsia, premature labor, infant hyperthyroidism and congestive heart failure on the pregnant person.

7. Causes eye irritation

A third of the people with Graves’ disease are likely to develop thyroid eye disease which is also referred as Graves’ ophthalmopathy or orbitopathy. It is associated with gritty and eye irritation. The eyes become puffy and bulgy because of the swelling of the tissues around the eyes. The eyes may become more sensitive to light and they may also experience pressure and pain in the eyes, paired with double or blurred vision.

8. Patients prone to other diseases

Untreated Grave’s disease may lead to heart problems such as arrhythmia which is characterised with irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of
other heart conditions such as stroke and heart failure. It can also lead to osteoporosis which is abnormal thinning and weakening of bones, making the patient susceptible to bone fractures. It can also lead to a thyroid storm which is characterised by rapid heart rate and high fever which can be life threatening. In the case of the thyroid eye disease, one can end up with severe damage of the optic nerve which can lead to vision loss.

9. Eat protein filled foods

Diet and lifestyle can help manage Graves’ disease. Since the disease mainly causes weakening of cells including muscles and bones, eating foods that
are rich in protein and calcium can help strengthen one’s muscles and bones respectively. Also, consumption of foods low in fat and sugar is highly advisable as patients are at a higher risk of getting heart conditions and diabetes. Experts advices against consuming too much iodine as it may worsen the situation.

10. When to see a doctor

People are advised to seek medical attention immediately they start experiencing some signs linked to the disease such as feeling nervous and irritable, having a slight tremor on the hands or fingers, being sensitive to heat with an increase in sweating or warm and moist skin, losing weight despite wanting to eat more, having an enlarged thyroid gland which is also called goiter, having changes in menstrual cycles, having bowel movements often, having bulging eyes, having thick and discolored skin mostly on the shins or tops of the feet, having fast or irregular heartbeat as well as not sleeping well. For men, if you start experiencing inabilities to get or sustain an erection or having less desire for sex, then its time to see your doctor.