Auto Immune conditions

What is Graves' disease? Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to become overactive. This is one kind of hyperthyroidism. An autoimmune disorder causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s own cells instead of protecting them from outside invaders. In Graves’ disease, the body’s immune system secretes immunoglobulins (autoantibodies) against the thyroid gland. These immunoglobulins irritate the thyroid gland and make it produce more thyroid…

Managing Graves’ disease The most important thing is to receive the necessary medical care. After you and your doctor have decided on a course of action, there are some things you can do that will help you cope with the condition and support your body during its healing process. Get regular exercise: Exercise in general will help you feel better and improve your muscle tone and cardiovascular system. Brittle bones can occur with Graves' disease and weight-bearing exercises help maintain bone…

Treatment of Graves' Disease is aimed at controlling your overactive thyroid. Medicines called beta-blockers are often used to treat symptoms of rapid heart rate, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism is controlled. Hyperthyroidism is treated with one or more of the following: Anti-thyroid medications Radioactive iodine Surgery If you have had radioactive iodine treatment or surgery, you will need to take replacement thyroid hormones for the rest of your life. This is because these…

What causes Graves' disease? The precise cause of Grave's disease is still unknown. The following risk factors are linked to a higher probability of developing Graves' disease: Genetics (people with a family history of Graves' disease are more likely to develop it). Gender Stress Pregnancy Infection (Bacterial or viral)

What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease? The early symptoms of Graves’ disease include: Weight loss (despite increased appetite) Anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping (insomnia) Heat intolerance, sweating Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing Increased stool frequency (with or without diarrhoea) Irregular menstrual periods in women Goiter Prominent, bulging eyes If Graves’ disease goes untreated, physical signs and symptoms may develop: Goiter: A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland…

Complications of Graves' disease can include: Pregnancy issues: Possible complications of Graves' disease during pregnancy include miscarriage, preterm birth, fetal thyroid dysfunction, poor fetal growth, maternal heart failure and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a maternal condition that results in high blood pressure and other serious signs and symptoms. Heart disorders: If left untreated, Graves' disease can lead to heart rhythm disorders, changes in the structure and function of the heart…

The diagnosis of Graves' disease may include: Physical examination: Your doctor examines your eyes to see if they're irritated or protruding and looks to see if your thyroid gland is enlarged. Because Graves' disease increases your metabolism, your doctor will check your pulse and blood pressure and look for signs of tremor. Blood sample: Your doctor will order blood tests to determine your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the pituitary hormone that normally stimulates the thyroid…

While there are no clear causes for Graves’ disease, genetics plays an important role. So if you have a family member with Graves' disease, then your chances are increased.  If you have a high risk of Graves’ disease, try and live a healthy life. Avoid smoking. Smoking increases the risk of Graves' disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy. Reduce stress in your life. Meditate, exercise regularly, take up activities that you enjoy and that calm you. 

Says Cindy Payne, who fought against the nerve-damaging autoimmune condition with yoga. I took my first yoga lesson in 1997 more out of curiosity than anything else, since yoga was not yet popular in Singapore. In 2001, I began to study Iyengar Yoga more seriously. When I first started taking lessons, I was primarily focused on the physical part of the practice – seeking to counter all the running I had been doing for 25 years, plus juggling owning a boutique marketing-…

Or is it sometimes the fall guy for other allergens? Dietitian Ujjwala Baxi tells you what to do if you think you are gluten-sensitive. First tip: Do not rush into a gluten-free diet plan. I first heard about gluten sensitivity during my college days when I was studying nutrition. During my year of internship in a 1,000-bed government hospital in India, I heard of only 3 gluten sensitive cases that were referred to the dietary department for a specific meal plan. This was 10 years back. Now, in…