Do you have Graves Disease Symptoms?

Graves Disease symptoms can be devastating and interfere with everyday life. Graves Disease is considered to be an autoimmune disorder that makes the thyroid gland overreact on a regular basis. Because of this your own body’s immune system reacts by attacking the thyroid gland as if it’s an invader and an organ that simply is no longer recognized by the body.

There is a myriad of different Graves Disease symptoms to consider when trying to figure out whether it is something that you are suffering from. This is why it’s very important to document all of your symptoms and the conditions surrounding those symptoms.

Some of the specific symptoms to look for include but are not limited to:

Anxiety

While anxiety can be attributed to a number of different ailments and problems within the body it is certainly a common symptom. That uneasy feeling and pumping heart coupled with a lack of enough air and the feeling that you just need to get out of there is the kind of anxiety that can be attributed to Graves. There are ways that you can help to combat such anxiety but the truth is that you want to combat the actual reason for the anxiety, not the anxiety itself.

Difficulty With Heat Tolerance

Heat intolerance is high on the list of the most popular Graves Disease symptoms and it is also one of the most serious, especially when living in a place that might get pretty hot at certain parts of the year. You might experience this symptom after getting out of the shower, when walking in the sun, while cleaning the house, or even when it comes time to simply hang out and watching a movie.

Appetite

You might find that you are eating more with each meal or you may find yourself snacking between and after meals to a point where you are totally stuffed yet still feel like you’re in need of some nutrients. Either way, overeating and a general increase of your appetite is just one of the many symptoms to look for.

Loose Bowels

Loose bowels are another serious symptom. Like most other symptoms of a disease, this one can also be attributed to many other diseases out there but if you suspect that you are suffering from Graves and you have this symptom, they could be connected to each other. It is something that you should never leave out when discussing your symptoms with a professional.

Weight Loss

When you experience weight loss without a change in eating habits it is definitely a reason for concern. This is is overlooked most frequently because weight loss is something most people welcome and don’t question. The problem is that if you aren’t specifically doing something to take the weight off and it’s simply happening on its own then there is reason for concern and a test for Graves Disease or other suspected diseases is something to seriously consider.

Bulging or protruding eyes

For many patients one of the first signs of Graves Disease is bulging or protruding eyes also known as Graves Ophthalmopathy. This is an inflammation of the tissues and muscles around your eyes. You eyes may be dry or you may feel pressure in your eyes as well.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common symptom for many people however as a Graves Disease symptom it can be devastating. Many patients find they have a hard time falling asleep and when they do fall asleep they are unable to stay asleep for any length of time even though they are exhausted. You make wake up periodically throughout the night feeling like your heart is racing.

When in doubt you need to visit a doctor. However it’s just as
important to keep a close eye on your own body how it works, and how it
behaves on a regular basis. This will give you a good idea as to the
kind of care you need from a physician.

Keep a list of of your ongoing
symptoms even though they may seem to be unrelated. Giving your doctor a
full picture of your health will help your physician decide if
you are experiencing Graves Disease symptoms and a course of action to
take.

Other pages you may be interested in:

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