The most common form of hyperthyroidism is caused by a general hyperactivity of the entire thyroid gland. This disorder is known as diffuse toxic goiter "widespread because the gland as a whole is part of the disease process, because due to a toxic infection, and because the crop grows, the gland hyperactivity.

The crop is also known as Graves' disease, in honor of the Irish doctor, Robert J. Graves was one of the first to describe the symptoms and who scored the first protrusion of the eyes that are sometimes associated with it. Between one and two percent of the U.S. population suffers from this disease, there is three to four times more often in women than men and usually occurs between twenty and forty.

In the initial phase of Graves' disease the thyroid begins to produce more thyroid hormones. By doing this, the gland usually increases gradually in size and, in most cases, will grow so that it can be seen in front of the neck. The patient may realize only by the growth of the neck or may not be aware of anything until the doctor or a third person let him out. Usually, this form of hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland is not sensitive, and should not cause discomfort in swallowing.

The patient may lose weight eating too much. May feel nervous and agitated and may become very irritable and edgy. The skin may become thinner and more delicate and you can lose hair. The nails may grow faster and with irregular borders. It is also possible the appearance of urticaria.


Signs and symptoms of Graves' disease


Muscle weakness, especially in the upper arms and legs, may make it difficult to lift weights or climb stairs. The patient may actually have a weakness that will not be able to stand with his legs bent without needing help. The hands may tremble and heartbeat speed up the normal 70 to 80 beats per minute to more than 100. Sometimes the pulse can accelerate without warning causing sudden palpitations lasting several minutes then stops abruptly. It is difficult to occur, but real diarrhea bowel movements may become more extensive and frequent.

Eye problems

One of the most enigmatic of Graves' disease covers his eyes. Usually it is simply an elevation of the eyelids that makes the eyes appear more prominent. Sometimes, however, the swelling of tissue located behind the eyeball may cause actual protrusion of the eyes.

In many cases, eye problems and thyroid hyperactivity occur at different times, sometimes years later. Very rarely, eye problems are the only manifestation of the disease but occur only in the form of hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease. Another typical problem of this disease is a rare skin disorder that manifests itself in the front legs and sometimes on top of feet, pretibial myxedema.

Also may occur at any time. One of the rarest symptoms of Graves' disease is acropachy thyroid swollen tissue around the base of the nail without causing pain. In some patients were found periodic paralysis characterized by sudden weakness of all muscles of the body. In patients who are predisposed, sugar and starch-rich foods seem to cause a lowering of blood potassium, which hinders the normal functioning muscle. The periodic paralysis in most cases is observed in Asian men suffering from Graves' disease.