quarta-feira, 31 de março de 2010

Barbara Bush released from Houston hospital


By TODD ACKERMAN


Former first lady Barbara Bush was discharged from Methodist Hospital this morning after a series of tests suggested she may have had a mild relapse of her Graves disease, a thyroid condition.

Bush, 84, was “alert, talkative and appeared to be getting stronger” as she prepared to leave the hospital, according to a statement released by Methodist. Doctors had adjusted her medication.

Accompanied by her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Bush went to the hospital Saturday. A spokesman at the time gave vague explanations for her distress, saying she wasn't in any pain but did not feel like herself.

Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce the hormone thyroxine, increasing the body's metabolic rate. Symptoms can include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, rapid or irregular heartbeats and weight loss.

Methodist's statement said Bush is expected to make a full recovery and should soon return to her normal activities.

The Houston Chronicle