Have you ever wondered what it would be like to one day wake up in the body of someone else? Nothing seems right; you find yourself wondering who is this person and where is the real me? That is what people with Graves’ disease go through nearly every day.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that was discovered by Robert Graves in 1835. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease occurs when the antibodies like thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAbs) attack the thyroid gland as if it were a foreign object or a virus of some sort. This disease is the most common type of hyperthyroidism. Attacking the thyroid gland in such a manner makes it excessively overproduce the hormone thyroxine which controls the body’s metabolic rate. Heightened activity of the thyroid can increase the body’s metabolism by 60% to 100%. (Weeks 34-35).
Graves’ disease is a thyroid disorder with an unknown cause, although there is an increased risk for those developing it if other family members have it. It is eight times more common in women than in men. It usually occurs in those who are over the age of 20, though children are sometimes affected. Graves’ disease affects more than 3 million people and there are approximately 60,000 new cases of Graves’ disease in the US each year. It accounts for 60% of hyperthyroidism cases. Graves’ disease has many possible symptoms which include fatigue, tremors, double vision, insomnia, anxiety, muscle weakness, unstable weight, nervousness or irritability, restlessness, anxiety, increased sweating, brittle hair and nails, heat intolerance, rapid and irregular heartbeat, freque...
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...h the multidimensional challenges associated with Graves’ disease. However, empowerment and supporting the patient’s self-efficacy to diminish feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and cultivate new habits and/or attitudes will ameliorate coping capacity. An encouraging, supportive environment that will capitalize on success and self-esteem with informal support will heighten positive functioning.
Works Cited
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Ginsberg, Jody. "Diagnosis And Management Of Graves' Disease." CMAJ: Canadian Medical
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Holcomb, Susan Simmons. "Detecting Thyroid Disease, Part 1." Nursing 33.8 (2003): 32cc1-
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Weeks, Bridget H. "Grave's Disease." Nurse Practitioner 30.11 (2005): 34-45.
Hyperthyroidism develops when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. (“Hyperthyroidism”, n.d.). The main cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’s disease. According to Porth 2011, “Graves disease is a state of hyperthyroidism, goiter, opthalmopathy or less common dermopathy… Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal stimulation of the thyroid gland by thyroid-stimulating antibodies.” (p.789). Some more causes include multi nodular goiter, adenoma of the thyroid and thyroiditis. (Porth, 2011, p.788). Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are tachycardia, sweating, increased sensitivity to heat, fatigue, and muscle weakness and enlarged thyroid gland.
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a life-altering event. During this time, life is not only difficult for the patient, but also for their loved ones. Families must learn to cope together and to work out the best options for the patient and the rest of the family. Although it may not be fair at times, things may need to be centered on or around the patient no matter what the circumstance. (Abbott, 2003) Sacrifices may have to be made during difficult times. Many factors are involved when dealing with chronic illnesses. Coping with chronic illnesses alter many different emotions for the patients and the loved ones. Many changes occur that are very different and difficult to get used to. (Abbott, 2003) It is not easy for someone to sympathize with you when they haven’t been in the situation themselves. No matter how many books they read or people they talk to, they cannot come close to understanding.
A long term condition not only brings the physical symptom of pain, but a number of psychological and social effects too. In 2014 the Department of Health recognised that the impact of having a long term condition can contribute to mental health problems like depression and anxiety (Department of Health, 2014). As well as finding ways to manage their physical symptoms, patients are encouraged to adopt acknowledge and address all of their health and wellbeing needs, in particular self-management at home and incorporating and educating the patient’s family and close friends as a support system (Kraaimaat and Evers, 2003). The suffering that a person with chronic pain endures not only impacts on their life, but also affects their family, time lost from employment and uses up precious healthcare resources.
Today in America thyroid disease is becoming a much larger issue and the worse part of this problem is that many people are not yet diagnosed. This is due to the lack of education and awareness about thyroid disease. There are many different types of diseases but the one that I am passionate about is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid is when the thyroid is no longer able to produce triiodothyronine, also known as T3 and thyroxine, also referred to as T4. Some of the symptoms include unexpected weight gain, tiredness, depression, or slow movements and thoughts. Most of the time many people notice the way that their bodies act on what they are feeling to their physicians. Many Americans struggle with this disease that
The balance of the thyroid hormone is complicated and involves the participation of different parts of the body (Kaplustin, 2010).
Follicular cells use iodine from your blood to make thyroid hormones that help regulate a persons’ metabolism. If you have too much of these hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism symptoms include irregular or rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping, nervousness, weight loss, and constantly feeling too warm.
Graves’ disease is considered an auto immune disorder. It is also a hyperthyroid disorder that leads to the over activity of the thyroid gland. Graves’ disease is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Many people suffer from symptoms. This paper will talk about the causes of the disease, research that has been conducted and how it can be treated.
The thyroid gland is found in the front of the neck and produces two main hormones. The hormones are called thuroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). Together these hormones regulate the body’s metabolism by increasing energy use in cells, regulate growth and development, help to maintain body temperature and aid in oxygen consumption. These two hormones are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamus senses changes in body’s metabolic rate and releases a hormone known as thyropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This hormone then flows through connecting vessels to the pituitary gland which signals it to release another hormone. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then makes its way to the bloodstream until it reaches the thyroid where it is then signaled to activate T3 and T4 production [1]. This mechanism is controlled by a negative feedback loop meaning that when there is a sufficient amount of thyroid hormones in the blood stream, this will signal back to stop production of thyroid stimulating hormones. Complications occur when the thyroid hormones keep increasing even though there is already a sufficient amount of T3 and T4 in the blood stream. This process of over expression of thryroid hormones is known as hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a general term that includes any disease that has a consequence of an overabundance of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a general term but there are many variant diseases that are in the hyperthyroidism category. These diseases include diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow’s disease, thyrotoxicosis, Parry’s and Graves’ disease.
... the context of chronic illness: a family health promoting process. Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronis Illness 3, (3), 283-92.
As a first step, a mental status exam of Randal was taken. Clad in business-casual attire, Randal was physically appearance appropriate. His thought processes were reasonable and he displayed proper affect. He had stated that his mood was depressed and anxious. Intellectually Randal had an extensive vocabulary and seemed extremely bright. In regards to Randal’s sensorium, he was oriented times three. Although falling in the overweight category, Randal otherwise appeared healthy and had no adverse health history. Randal was asked to get lab work assessing the functioning of his thyroid, as that often can influence anxiety levels. It was decided that Randal was neither a candidate for psychological and personalit...
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Approximately 20 million Americans are currently suffering from thyroid disease. This common, yet subtle disease can be have an immense impact on one’s health and lifestyle. I chose to research thyroid disease because I have had blood tests done in speculation of this disease because of the similar symptoms I was experiencing. Although I do not have thyroid disease, I am curious about how it affects the body and why this disease often goes undiagnosed. This system involving the thyroid is crucial in regulating the body’s hormones and keeping them.
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The Concept of Self-Efficacy Self-efficacy, for the purpose of this study, may be defined as a person’s optimistic self-belief. This is the belief that a person can develop the skills to perform new or difficult tasks to cope with changes in health and functioning. When a person perceives self-efficacy, it will facilitate goal-setting, effort, investment, persistence, overcoming obstacles and recovery from disappointments and failures. It can be regarded as a positive outlook or proactive way to handle stress factors. It is the ability to successfully cope with health changes, and implies an internal and stable acceptance of changes and ability to successfully adapt to those changes.
Each day was, and still is, a hard, frustrating and stressful time. This incurable disease has had a dramatic effect over the years starting when I was in kindergarten. I remember when my mother started using a cane so she wouldn't fall when she walked. She could still work, drive, and go on outings with me, her only daughter. In the beginning I didn't know how to grasp it all but I gradually understood a little more each day.