A condition usually caused by excessive production of thyroid hormone and characterized by an enlarged thyroid gland, protrusion of the eyeballs, a rapid heartbeat, and nervous excitability. Also called exophthalmic goiter
{i} (Medicine) Basedow's disease, form of hyperthyroidism, disease of the thyroid gland thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (characterized by an enlarged thyroid and intolerance of heat)
exophthalmos occurring in association with goiter; hyperthyroidism with protrusion of the eyeballs
or toxic diffuse goitre or exophthalmic goitre Most common type of hyperthyroidism (oversecretion of thyroid hormone), usually with goitre and exophthalmos (eyeball protrusion). Increased thyroid hormone levels result in increased cardiac output, rapid heartbeat, and possibly heart failure. Stress may trigger a severe worsening (thyroid storm), which can lead to circulatory collapse and death. Graves disease is considered an autoimmune disease. It can sometimes be controlled by drugs; severe cases require partial or total removal of the thyroid gland. Graves disease is named after Robert James Graves, one of the first physicians to fully describe the disease