Graves disease is a chronic immune system disorder affecting the thyroid gland that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones. This in turn affects the body’s metabolism or energy expenditure rate and can also cause swelling or enlargement of the gland located in the neck. The disease can be found in conjunction with other endocrine system diseases such as diabetes.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Typical symptoms associated with increased levels of thyroid hormones as with hyperthyroidism include:
- unexplained weight loss
- increased appetite
- hand tremors
- nervousness and restlessness
- fatigue
- heat intolerance and sweating
- muscle cramps
- breathlessness
- blurred or double vision
- diarrhoea or frequent bowel movements.
Symptoms specific to Graves disease include:
- general weakness (malaise)
- fine hand coordination difficulties
- skin changes on the shins
- thyroid eye disease resulting in bulging eyes in 50 per cent of cases
- eye swelling.
Workplace adjustments and solutions:
In the workplace there are various factors that would greatly assist people with Graves disease to better manage their symptoms. These include:
- monitoring the temperature of work areas and allowing the use of fans or airconditioning to assist with temperature regulation
- allocation of a workspace with easy access to bathroom facilities
- consideration of flexible work hours to accommodate sleep difficulties
- a work role that avoids stress or significant changes if experiencing anxiety, agitation and nervousness
- a physically suitable job match or the use of adaptive equipment to accommodate fatigue, fine manipulation difficulties or vision disturbance
- special eye wear and frequent breaks to self administer eye drops for people with bulging eyes or swelling as they may experience increased sensitivity to bright light, dust, fumes, or wind.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Better Health Channel 2011, Thyroid disorders—hyperthyroidism, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 20 January 2012, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Thyroid_disorders_hyperthyroidism?OpenDocument.
MDGuidelines 1991—2010, Graves’ Disease, Reed Group, Colorado, viewed 20 January 2012, http://www.mdguidelines.com/.
Thyroid Australia 2000, Thyroid Conditions Quick Facts, Thyroid Australia Ltd, Melbourne, viewed 20 January 2012, http://www.thyroid.org.au/Information/Conditions.html