Bette Davis' Battle with Graves' Disease and Its Effects

Bette Davis and Her Battle with Graves’ Disease

Bette Davis was one of the most iconic actresses from Hollywood's Golden Age. Known for playing strong, independent women, she built a legendary career spanning over 50 years in film, television, and theater.

However, later in life, Bette Davis suffered from numerous health issues, including Graves' disease. This autoimmune disorder affected her appearance and ability to work, though Davis continued acting until shortly before her death.

Understanding Graves' disease, its symptoms, and how it impacted Bette Davis's life provides insight into this challenging condition.

Overview of Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to overactivity of the thyroid gland. It's the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States.

With Graves’ disease, the immune system produces antibodies that bind to thyroid receptors and cause excessive production of thyroid hormones. This overstimulation accelerates metabolism and can affect nearly every organ system.

Common symptoms of Graves’ disease include:

• Anxiety, irritability, mood swings
• Fatigue, muscle weakness
• Weight loss despite increased appetite
• Racing heart rate, high blood pressure
• Bulging eyes (exophthalmos)
• Thick, red skin on shins (pretibial myxedema)

If left untreated, serious complications can occur, including heart problems and brittle bones. Fortunately, various treatment options are available to manage Graves’ disease.

Bette Davis’s Battle with Graves’ Disease

Bette Davis began showing signs of Graves’ disease in the 1950s, when she was in her 40s and at the peak of her fame and success.

In her later memoirs, Davis described how she suddenly began feeling nervous, irritable, weak, and unfocused. She had heart palpitations, trouble sleeping, and unexplained weight loss. Friends remarked on her bulging eyes.

Davis was eventually diagnosed with hyperthyroidism from Graves’ disease. In those days before effective treatment, doctors advised her to simply learn to live with the condition.

Over the next two decades, Graves’ disease took a significant toll on Bette Davis’s health and career. Her thyroid problems were likely exacerbated by stress, smoking, poor diet, and other medical conditions.

Effects on Davis's Appearance

One of the most visible effects of Graves’ on Bette Davis was bulging, protruding eyes, known medically as exophthalmos. This occurs due to inflammation and extra tissue buildup behind the eyes.

The bulging eye appearance became more pronounced through the 1950s and 1960s. It affected Davis’s looks and sometimes made it difficult for her to keep her eyes open.

Photos from late in her career show Davis with thickened red skin on her shins. This symptom of Graves’, called pretibial myxedema, results from excess moisture depositing in the skin.

Bette Davis was also plagued by rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and anemia from Graves’ disease. This led to a gaunt, almost emaciated appearance at times.

Impacts on Her Career

In her memoir, Bette Davis admitted Graves’ disease affected her acting abilities. The fatigue, nervousness, and unfocused mind made it harder for her to memorize lines and deliver the sharp performances she was known for.

As she aged and the disease progressed, roles became sparse. Davis was sometimes rejected for looking too old, too scary, or too sick. She became increasingly difficult to insure due to health problems.

When Davis did get work, directors had to accommodate her condition. Special camera angles and lighting were used to minimize the bulging eyes. When her stamina lagged, shooting schedules were rearranged.

Yet despite the challenges, Bette Davis continued working in films, TV movies, and TV shows into the late 1980s. Highlights from her late career include Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, The Anniversary, and Wicked Stepmother.

Treatment Options

During her decades living with Graves’ disease, Bette Davis tried various treatments available at the time with limited success.

Options for Graves’ disease include:

• Antithyroid medications - Drugs like methimazole and propylthiouracil can reduce thyroid hormone production. However, they often don’t result in long-term remission.
• Radioactive iodine - Swallowing radioactive iodine destroys overactive thyroid tissue. But it can cause permanent hypothyroidism requiring life-long medication.
• Surgery - Removing part or all of the thyroid cures hyperthyroidism. But this also leads to hypothyroidism and requires daily medication.

In 1983, Bette Davis underwent surgery to remove much of her thyroid gland. This controlled some of her worst hyperthyroid symptoms. However, it led to hypothyroidism, leaving her dependent on thyroid hormone replacements.

Coping Strategies

Living and working for decades with Graves’ disease required enormous perseverance and coping strategies for Bette Davis. Some approaches that helped her manage include:

• Resting - Taking time to rest and conserve energy when fatigued.
• Altering appearance - Using makeup, lighting, and camera tricks to minimize bulging eyes.
• Adjusting schedule - Working shorter days and allowing more time for treatment when ill.
• Relying on assistants - Having assistants help manage schedule, travel, household tasks.
• Quitting smoking - Giving up smoking after several decades probably helped symptoms.
• Seeking social support - Spending time with friends and family who understood her challenges.

Bette Davis also kept her wit and sense of humor about the effects of Graves’ disease. She famously said, “When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch.”

Celebrities on Menopause Symptoms

Menopause signals the end of a woman's menstrual cycles and fertility as estrogen production declines. It typically begins in the late 40s or early 50s.

The transition to menopause, known as perimenopause, can last up to 10 years. It often brings uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings caused by hormonal fluctuations.

Even celebrities aren't immune to "the change." Many have opened up about their own experiences with menopausal symptoms.

Michelle Obama

Former first lady Michelle Obama had a famous wisecrack during a White House event about dealing with hot flashes. "I'm having some flashbacks," she joked after feeling overheated.

In her memoir, Becoming, Obama shared that the intensity of menopausal hot flashes took her by surprise. She recommends layering clothes to help deal with sudden sweats.

Oprah Winfrey

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has spoken candidly about the challenges of menopause, including hot flashes, insomnia, and memory lapses. She takes bioidentical hormone therapy to help manage symptoms.

Winfrey tries to maintain perspective by remembering, “This too shall pass. Nothing lasts forever.” She urges other women to have compassion for themselves during menopause.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow admits she had some depression and confusion during perimenopause. Her emotions felt “unhinged” at times.

To cope, Paltrow prioritizes quality sleep, daily meditation, acupuncture, and a healthy diet. She recommends dietary supplements like vitamin B, magnesium, and omega-3s.

Cameron Diaz

When Cameron Diaz turned 40, she experienced hot flashes for the first time. "It's actually kind of weird, but I think it's a good thing. It makes me feel like my body is working," she remarked.

Diaz takes a positive stance on aging and its effects on the body. She focuses on staying active with exercise, healthy food, and an overall balanced lifestyle.

Ellen DeGeneres

Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres jokes openly about her menopausal symptoms like memory lapses. “People ask me all the time, ‘Where’d you get that?’ And I go, ‘I don’t remember.’”

To manage hot flashes, DeGeneres dresses in thin layers and keeps the AC turned up. She also quips, “Just know that when the fires of hell come for you, I’ll be fine.”

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore described the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause as making her feel “like a scrambled egg” emotionally. She copes through going to therapy and spending time with supportive friends.

One of Barrymore's tips for dealing with night sweats is to change into dry pajamas and put towels on the bed. She urges other women to be gentle with themselves during this transition.

The Takeaway

Menopause symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings can disrupt life for both ordinary women and celebrities alike. Being able to commiserate and share coping strategies can help.

The experiences of Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and other public figures remind us that menopause is a natural transition that all women go through together. Having patience, compassion, and a touch of humor helps.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.