EXOPHTHALMIC GOITER Meaning and
Definition
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Exophthalmic goiter, also known as Graves' disease, is a medical condition characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of goiter (enlarged thyroid gland located in the neck) and exophthalmos (bulging of the eyes) resulting from an overactive thyroid gland.
The condition is primarily caused by an autoimmune response where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This leads to excessive production of thyroid hormones, specifically triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which regulate metabolism. The increased levels of these hormones accelerate the body's metabolism, resulting in a variety of symptoms.
Exophthalmic goiter usually affects the thyroid gland by making it enlarge, causing a swelling in the front of the neck. This enlargement is referred to as goiter and can cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing due to pressure on the surrounding structures.
One of the distinctive features of this condition is exophthalmos, which refers to the protrusion or bulging of the eyes. It occurs due to the accumulation of fluid and swelling behind the eyeballs. The bulging eyes can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, sensitivity to light, double vision, and difficulty in closing the eyelids completely.
Other symptoms commonly associated with exophthalmic goiter include weight loss, increased heart rate, anxiety, fatigue, heat intolerance, tremors, frequent bowel movements, and muscle weakness. Without treatment, the condition can have serious health implications such as heart problems, vision loss, and thyroid storm, a life-threatening condition.
Treatment options for exophthalmic goiter may include medications to regulate hormone levels, beta-blockers to control heart rate, radioactive iodine therapy to reduce thyroid function, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroid
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A condition marked by prominence of the eyeballs, enlargement of the thyroid gland, tremor, and rapid heart action; Graves, Basedow's, Flajani's, Marsh's, Parson's, or Parry's disease.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EXOPHTHALMIC GOITER
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Etymology of EXOPHTHALMIC GOITER
The term "exophthalmic goiter" is a medical condition commonly known as Graves' Disease, which affects the thyroid gland and causes an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and protruding eyes (exophthalmos).
The word "exophthalmic" derives from the Ancient Greek word "exo" meaning "outside" or "external", and "ophthalmos" meaning "eye". It refers to the protrusion of the eyes that is characteristic of Graves' Disease.
The word "goiter" comes from the Latin word "guttur", which means "throat". It refers to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck.
Therefore, the term "exophthalmic goiter" combines the Greek and Latin roots to describe the condition of having protruding eyes and an enlarged thyroid gland, which are the primary symptoms of Graves' Disease.
Similar spelling words for EXOPHTHALMIC GOITER
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