Autoimmune diseases, infections, hormonal imbalance or hereditary conditions can result in thyroid malfunction. These thyroid disorders usually come in one of two forms: functional, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and structural, such as nodules and goiters, as in the case of the former President. Earlier this year, Barbara Bush had a mild relapse of her Graves' disease. She began experiencing heartbeat irregularities that can lead to cardiac arrest in older patients.
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Symptoms of the disease, such as anxiety, restlessness, irritability, emotional instability, fatigue, muscle weakness or cramps, increased appetite, palpitations and heate intolerance can be accompanied by a quickened heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, tremor, an eye stare or changes in the hair. Other symptoms include increased sweating and bowl movements, shortness of breath on exertion and weight changes.
(Dwyer)
First Lady Barbara Bush showed...
That her husband had the same condition is considered coincidental, for Graves' disease is not contagious. Once the disease becomes uncomfortable or noticeable enough, aggressive treatment is recommended, such as with prednisone or low dose radiation. (Fitzgerald)
1. Wilkinson, Donna.Your Thyroid May be Talking, but is the Doctor Listening? New York Times, 25 June 200.
Accessed at: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/25/health/your-thyroid-may-be-talking-but-is-the-doctor-listening.html?pagewanted=2
2. Dwyer, Devin. Barbara Bush Had Mild Relapse of Graves' Disease. ABC News, 21 March 2010.
Accessed at:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/barbara-bush-mild-relapse-graves-disease-released-houston/story?id=10249550
3. Fitzgerald, Paul. Graves Disease. 16 December 2003.
Accessed at: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/25/health/your-thyroid-may-be-talking-but-is-the-doctor-listening.html?pagewanted=2
