Medical exam reveals why Biden clears his throat and has an 'unusual gait'
US President Joe Biden's physician has provided the first update on his health status following a routine general and in-depth physical examination at Walter Reed Medical Center on November 19.
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| Mr. Biden is said to often "clear his throat" when speaking. Photo: NYP |
This is the first time Mr. Biden has undergone such a medical examination since he took office as the oldest president in US history.
CNN reported that the President's physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, wrote in a memo affirming that Mr. Biden "remains healthy to fully perform his duties and responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations."
The doctor also pointed to two areas of “observation” that he noted for a detailed review of the president’s health: “the increased frequency and severity of the leader’s ‘throat clearing’ and coughing while speaking” and “the President’s unusual gait,” which Dr. O’Connor said was “noticeably stiffer and less flexible than a year ago.”
Both have been notable figures in Mr Biden's public appearances since taking office.
In a six-page summary detailing Biden's health, O'Connor said X-rays showed Biden had arthritis in his spine and normal wear and tear for someone his age.
The doctor said the injury was moderate to severe, but said it was not severe enough to warrant any specific treatment. He wrote that this would help explain President Biden’s recent stiff posture and awkward gait.
An "extremely detailed neurological examination" was "reassuring," Dr O'Connor wrote, and showed no evidence of stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's.
President Biden also has a condition called a hiatal hernia, which causes him to have reflux — which Dr. O'Connor said could be the reason he clears his throat more frequently.
Dr. O'Connor's documents include details of his physical exam, including his height of 6 feet 11 inches and weight of 184 pounds; his blood pressure was 120/70. Biden reportedly does not drink alcohol or smoke, and he exercises five times a week.
"President Biden remains a healthy, active 78-year-old man, physically fit to successfully carry out the duties of the presidency, including the roles of Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander in Chief," Dr. O'Connor wrote.
During a routine medical check-up on November 19, President Biden underwent a colonoscopy. The procedure required anesthesia, meaning he temporarily transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first woman to hold the office of US President for 85 minutes on the morning of November 19 (local time).
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| Vice President Harris became acting President of the United States for 85 minutes on November 19. |
As he left the White House for Walter Reed Medical Center, Mr. Biden said he was “in great shape and had a great vote in the House,” referring to the House passing the Build Back Better bill on the morning of November 19.
Prior to the health update, the last update on Biden's medical condition came in December 2019, when the White House physician described him as "a healthy, active 77-year-old man, fit and healthy to successfully carry out the duties of the presidency."
The US leader, who turns 79 today, November 20, has not released a full report on his health since then.
Still, Biden has done nothing different in disclosing medical information than his recent predecessors, who waited a year to undergo a full medical exam and allow the details to be made public.
The last update on Biden's health came after the then-president-elect broke his foot in November 2020 while playing with his dog. In February 2021, Biden's doctor said the fracture in his foot was "completely healed."
Presidents are not required to make public the results of their annual physicals, but they do so for transparency and to give Americans peace of mind when they have questions about the health of their country's leader.
