When Missy Elliott revealed yesterday that she had Graves’ Disease, we all were like, huh? What is Graves Disease? Missy Elliot has been MIA lately and she explains to her fans why during her upcoming episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music” that she has been battling with Graves’ Disease since 2008, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid.
STORY: Missy Elliott Reveals Mystery Disease
So what is Graves’ Disease? For all of us who are unfamiliar with the rare disease, it is when your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce the hormone thyroxine, according to mayoclinic.com. A serious metabolic imbalance known as hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents and is more common in women and usually begins after age 20.
Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of symptoms. Some symptoms can include: a rapid or irregular heartbeat, a fine tremor of your hands or fingers, sensitivity to heat and frequent bowel movements. Although it is rarely life-threatening, it is incurable and can develop at any age.
We’re happy to hear that Missy currently has her condition stabilized.
More pictures of Missy Elliott after the break.
[pagebreak]
Rapper Missy Elliott performs onstage at the 2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
[pagebreak]
Rapper Missy Elliott performs onstage at the 2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
[pagebreak]
Rapper Missy Elliott performs onstage at the 2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
[pagebreak]
Rapper Missy Elliott performs onstage at the 2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
[pagebreak]
Rapper Missy Elliott performs onstage at the 2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
