1. What is Graves’ Disease?

Graves' disease, also known as toxic diffuse goiter, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. It frequently results in and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It also often results in an enlarged thyroid. Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include irritability, muscle weakness, sleeping problems, a fast heartbeat, poor tolerance of heat, diarrhea and unintentional weight loss. Other symptoms may include thickening of the skin on the shins, known as pretibial myxedema, and eye bulging, a condition caused by Graves' ophthalmopathy. About 25 to 80% of people with the condition develop eye problems.

 
2. What is the cause of Graves’ Disease?

The exact cause is unclear; however, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A person is more likely to be affected if they have a family member with the disease. If one twin is affected, a 30% chance exists that the other twin will also have the disease. The onset of disease may be triggered by stress, infection or giving birth. 
 

3. What is the common Western treatment?

The three treatment options are radioiodine therapy, medications and thyroid surgery. Radioiodine therapy involves taking iodine-131 by mouth, which is then concentrated in the thyroid and destroys it over weeks to months. The resulting hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic thyroid hormones. Medications such as beta blockers may control some of the symptoms, and antithyroid medications such as methimazole may temporarily help people while other treatments are having effect. Surgery to remove the thyroid is another option. Eye problems may require additional treatments.

 
4. Will women easier to get it?

Graves' disease will develop in about 0.5% of males and 3% of females. It occurs about 7.5 times more often in women than in men. Often, it starts between the ages of 40 and 60 but can begin at any age. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States (about 50 to 80% of cases). 

5. How to diagnosis of Graves’ Disease?

Graves' disease may present clinically with one or more of these characteristic signs:Rapid heartbeat (80%)Diffuse palpable goiter with audible bruit (70%)Tremor (40%)Exophthalmos (protuberance of one or both eyes), periorbital edema (25%)Fatigue (70%), weight loss (60%) with increased appetite in young people and poor appetite in the elderlyHeat intolerance (55%)Tremulousness (55%)Palpitations (50%)