What is Graves disease that Wendy Williams has?

Throughout the years Williams, 57, has spoken openly about her battle with Graves' disease, an immune system disorder that causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones. She has also shared what it's like living with lymphedema, a buildup of fluid in the body due to the lymph system being damaged or blocked.

What is the main cause of Graves disease?

Graves' disease is caused by a malfunction in the body's disease-fighting immune system. It's unknown why this happens. The immune system normally produces antibodies designed to target a specific virus, bacterium or other foreign substance.

What does Graves disease do to a person?

With Graves' disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to make more thyroid hormones than your body needs. As a result, many of your body's functions speed up. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes thyroid hormones.

Does Wendy Williams still have Graves disease?

Williams suffers from Graves' disease

She took a break from her show in May 2020 because of fatigue caused by the disease's symptoms.

Do you ever get cured from Graves disease?

Graves' disease is a lifelong (chronic) condition. However, treatments can keep your thyroid hormone levels in check. Medical care may even make the disease temporarily go away (remission).

Graves Disease Wendy Williams Diagnosed

Can food cause Graves disease?

Some foods may exacerbate Graves' disease symptoms. Food sensitivities or allergies may negatively impact the immune system, causing disease flares in some people. For this reason, it's important to try to identify the foods you might be allergic to.

What foods heal your thyroid?

Does Graves disease shorten life?

Graves' disease is rarely life-threatening. However, without treatment, it can lead to heart problems and weak and brittle bones. Graves' disease is known as an autoimmune disorder. That's because with the disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid — a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck.

Can you live a healthy life with Graves disease?

To manage Graves' disease, you'll need to seek medical treatment. But you can also help your health with lifestyle habits. Graves' disease is a disorder in which a person's immune system attacks their thyroid — the small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck — which then triggers an increase in thyroid hormones.

Can you live a long healthy life with Graves disease?

Fluid in the lungs is another symptom that may occur. Patients who develop thyroid storm have a 20 to 50% chance of dying. In general, if your hyperthyroidism is caught early and you control it well with medication or other options, experts say your Graves' disease life expectancy and prognosis is favorable.

What organs are affected by Graves disease?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease which primarily affects the thyroid gland. It may also affect multiple other organs including eyes and skin. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

What were your first symptoms of Graves disease?

Symptoms of Graves' disease may include bulging eyes, weight loss, and a fast metabolism. Hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease is treatable with medicine. But if left untreated, Graves' disease can cause osteoporosis, heart problems, and problems getting pregnant and during pregnancy.

Does Graves disease cause brain damage?

If not treated properly, Graves' disease can affect your brain, your heart, and your muscles. In more severe forms, it can cause painful muscle aches, sociopathic behavior, and even heart damage.

How do you prevent Graves disease?

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.

Can stress bring on Graves Disease?

Introduction: Stress is a known risk factor for the development of Graves' disease. We have previously described the role of bereavement as an inducing factor for Graves' disease. Bereavement as an inducing factor for Graves' disease was shown to affect primarily female patients after the loss of a loved one.

Is Graves disease a mental illness?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Other symptoms associated with the disease are goitre, ophthalmopathy, and psychiatric manifestations such as mood and anxiety disorders and, sometimes, cognitive dysfunction.

Who is most at risk for Graves disease?

Graves disease is most common in women over age 20. But the disorder can occur at any age and can affect men as well. You're restless and nervous. You feel hungry all the time, but no matter how much you eat, you keep losing weight.

Is Graves disease painful?

Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and usually presents as a painless goiter.

Does Graves disease affect memory?

Cognitive Symptoms in Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than your body needs. Some people with hyperthyroidism, such as Graves' disease, commonly experience poor concentration, slower reaction times, decreased spatial organization, and memory lapses.

What is end stage Graves disease?

Heart disorders: If left untreated, Graves' disease can lead to heart rhythm disorders, changes in the structure and function of the heart muscles, and inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the body (congestive heart failure).

Does Graves disease get worse with age?

Outlook (Prognosis) Hyperthyroidism is treatable. Some causes may go away without treatment. Hyperthyroidism caused by Graves disease usually gets worse over time.

What drink helps thyroid?

For hypothyroidism, my go-to teas are withania (ashwagandha), chamomile, gotu kola and licorice teas. Withania is a herb that may increase the production of thyroid hormone, and helps the body to cope with stress. Of course, chamomile helps with stress and sleep, but it also has further benefits.

What foods make thyroid worse?

What a thyroid patient should not eat?

Fats may also interfere with the thyroid's ability to produce hormone as well. Some healthcare professionals recommend that you cut out all fried foods and reduce your intake of fats from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat.

What fruit is good for Graves disease?

Foods to Eat More of If You Have Graves' Disease: Berries: In particular, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are brimming with antioxidants. Fresh or frozen, these anti-inflammatory foods help to keep your immune system strong.