How to Live With Graves' Disease
While Graves' disease is not curable, it is not usually life-threatening. With proper treatment and routine care, you should be able to live a long and normal life after being diagnosed with this hyperthyroid condition.
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Instructions
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Live With Graves' Disease
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Visit an endocrinologist (doctor that treats hormone problems) for routine checkups. While you may live a normal life with Graves' disease, you must have your thyroid tested at least once a year. Your doctor may adjust your treatment according to results.
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Adjust your medicines as needed. New advancements are being made in the study of hyperthyroidism, and you may find a medicine with fewer side effects.
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Change your diet. You should work with a nutritionist to create a diet that combats some of the normal symptoms of Graves' disease, including fatigue and weakness.
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Do not ignore new symptoms, which could mean your Graves' disease is getting worse or your medications are not working.
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Speak to your endocrinologist if you wish to become pregnant, or if you already are. Radiation treatment and certain medications should be avoided during pregnancy.
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Read Mary J. Shomon's "Living Well with Graves' disease and Hyperthyroidism," available from Amazon.com, for a personal account of a woman who lives with Graves' disease (see Resources below).
Relieve Graves' Ophthalmopathy Symptoms
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Consider surgery if you are having consistent problems with protruding eyes after you have started treatment.
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Try taping your eyes shut at night if you have consistent dry eye while sleeping.
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Elevate your head when you sleep. This may relieve some of the fluid accumulation in the head, which also alleviates pressure on your eyes.
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Wear sunglasses if you find you are sensitive to light. Wraparound glasses protect your eyes from the sun more than regular sunglasses.
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Use eye drops on a regular basis to lubricate your eyes. Your doctor may prescribe a specific drop or recommend an acceptable over-the-counter version.
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Tips & Warnings
Try cold compresses on your eyes to add moisture if you are experiencing dry eyes.
Doctors are often slow to treat thyroid disease, so you may need to be outspoken about your treatment. You know how you are feeling and what is not normal for your life. Make sure you get treatment that will help you live normally.
