Graves' Disease

What is Graves' Disease?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is when the body attacks its own immune system by destroying its healthy cells and tissues. Graves' disease is a result of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than the body needs.

The thyroid gland produces two different types of hormones. T-3(triiodothyronine) and T-4(thyroxine) which play a part in many important bodily functions and processes. Some of which include:

-metabolism

-brain developement

-body temperature

-menstrual cycles

-weight

-cholesterol levels

The production of thyroid hormone is regulated by another hormone which is called thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH). This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland which is located within the brain.

In reguards to this particular auto-immune disease, the body's immune system makes up antibodies called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin(TSI). These antibodies attach to healthy thyroid cells and trick the body into thinking they are TSH. As a result, the thyroid gland is over stimulated and produces too much T-3 and T-4.

Common signs and symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

-nervousness or irritability

-fatigue or muscle weakness

-heat intolerance

-trouble sleeping

-hand tremors

-rapid or irregular heartbeat

-frequent BM's or diarrhea

-weight loss

-goiter(enlarged thyroid which looks like neck is swollen)

How does all of this relate to our eyes?

People who are diagnosed with Graves' disease can have a mulitple array of symptoms but one in particular is that the eyes can become or appear enlarged. So much, that the eyes look like they are bulging out from their sockets. This condition is called Graves' ophthalmopathy.

What is Graves' Ophthalmopahy?

This condition is when the immune system attacks the muscles and tissues around the eyeball itself. There is a buildup of tissue and fat behind the eye socket which causes inflammation and the bulging we can noticibly see in patients. In cases that are extremely severe, inflammation can pose a threat in which compression of the optic nerve can occur and cause vision problems or loss.

References

Information retrieved from: www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves/

Images retrieved from: www.redatlas.org/fr_index.htm?/RAPages/D/D012.htm

Empty Sellar Syndrome

What is Empty Sellar Syndrome (ESS)?


ESS is a disorder where CSF builds up between the pituitary gland itself and the sella turcia, which houses the pituitary gland. This build up of CSF then places stress or pressure on the pituitary and compresses the gland so that it looks as if there is an "empty space" or an abcence of a pituitary within the sella turcia space on an MRI, CT, or radiographic image. ESS can also be caused by tumors pressing on the pituitary to cause that "empty" looking area on an image.

Diagnosis?

This disorder is most often times detected while the patient is being tested or imaged for pathology that is totally unrelated to ESS. In most cases, pitutary function is normal and is not compromised by the pinning of the pituitary gland. In some cases though paitients will have symptoms of headache, vision problems, and hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia causes irregular mentral cycles and spontaneous breast milk flow in women, and in men, causes hypogonadism (low testosterone), infertility, and erectile disfunction.

Treatment?

As far as treatment for this disorder, there is not any one specific treatment across the board. Treatment is dependant on the symptoms of the individual and they are handled case by case. In some cases though, surgury maybe needed.

Information retreived from: www.pituitary.org/disorders/empty_sella_syndrome.aspx
Picture retreived from: www.googleimages.com

Bell's Palsy

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is a disorder of the 7th cranial nerve(facial nerve). The nerve suffers damage in the way of becoming swollen, inflammed, or compressed. The swelling and inflammation causes compression of the nerve against the bony tube(Fallopian canal) in which the nerve lies. The exact cause of the damage is not fully known, but scientists believe that it maybe linked to viral meningitis and the common cold sore virus(Herpes Simplex). They think the swelling and inflamation of the facial nerve is a reaction to the initial infection the patient is displaying. This swelling and inflammation in turn causes pressure on the nerve itself which leads to insufficient blood flow and oxygen supply to the nerve leading to death of the nerve cells.

Due to this swelling and inflammation of the facial nerve there is a disruption in the nerve's ability to function properly. Considering that this nerve controls facial muscles and a portion of the tongue's ability to taste, patients will complain of an inibility to taste their food. Usually one side of their face will appear drooping. It is not very common to see the face affected bilaterally with this disorder. The facial paralysis also occurs because of the nerve's inability to relay messages to the brain in order to control the facial muscles.

Reference

Office of Communications and Public Liason. (2009, Dec. 18). Bell's Palsy Fact Sheet. Retrieved from www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm

Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that involves a deterioration of brain cells and the gradual loss of many normal brain functions. Memory loss can be considered one of the initial warning signs or cues that present the onset of this disorder. Memory loss is quite normal for most aging indivduals but with Alzheimer's disease memory loss goes beyond just the occasional missing car keys. As the disease progresses many other symptoms like the inibility to complete familar everyday tasks, problems with language (unable to find the right words when speaking), disorientation, mood and personality changes, and the inability to think abstractly begin to present themselves. The disease in its late stages causes brain cells to die and as a result body systems begin to fail.

What does Alzheimer's do physically to the brain?

There are two areas of the brain that are greatly affected by this disease and they are the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. The cerebral cortex includes the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of the brain. Each of these lobes are responsible for carrying out specific cognative functions of the brain. The other area that is affected is the hippocampus. The hippocampus is located within the temporal lobe of the brain and it is involved with converting short-term memory into long-term memory. Alzheimer's is resposible for the overall loss in brain mass and the shrinking of the brain in these particular areas which results in compromised memory loss and proper brain functioning.

Is there a cure?

At the present time there is no known cure for this disease. Research is being done to find a cure but for now the only thing out there for people who are diagnosed with this disease is medication therapy to treat their symptoms. The medications only help to diminish or slow down the process of the disease.

References

Segal, J., & Wayne, M. (2009). Alzheimer's Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Stages ofAlzheimer's Disease. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from helpguide.org website: www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_symptoms_stages.htm#stages

Swierzewski, S. (2007). Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Overview, Brain Anatomy. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from neurologychannel.com website: www.neurologychannel.com/alzheimers/index.shtml#cere