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Newsweek
18-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Vein Disorder, Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Explained
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The White House announced on Thursday that President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The announcement followed growing public speculation over visible swelling in the president's legs and bruises on his hands. Why It Matters Trump, who is 79 years old and is the oldest person to serve a second term, has faced intensifying scrutiny over his age and cognitive fitness. While his physician recently declared him "fully fit" after a comprehensive physical that included a perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, public concern about his health has persisted. Trump frequently criticized former President Joe Biden over concerns about his health during last year's presidential election, with Biden eventually dropping out of the race. President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to sign the "Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act," in the East Room of the White House on July 16 in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to sign the "Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act," in the East Room of the White House on July 16 in Washington, D.C. Evan Vucci/AP What To Know The White House released a memo from the president's physician, Sean Barbabella, on Thursday which revealed the president was diagnosed with CVI after he noticed swelling in his legs. "The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70," the memo said. At a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the president's medical team found "no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease." She also said Trump was not experiencing any discomfort related to the condition. President Donald Trump, left, reaches to shake hands with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa speak upon his arrival at the White House on July 16. President Donald Trump, left, reaches to shake hands with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa speak upon his arrival at the White House on July 16. Alex Brandon/AP It comes after Trump was spotted with heavily swollen ankles at a number of public events in recent months. A photo taken during Trump's White House meeting with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Wednesday, showed the president's left ankle which appeared to be swollen and bulging out of his shoe. Photos from the same event also showed Trump's hand with what appeared to be makeup covering up a bruise or blemish. Leavitt said the bruise on his hand was "consistent" with irritation from "frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin." She added that "the president remains in excellent health." The left foot and swollen ankle of President Donald Trump are pictured as he sits with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, July 16,... The left foot and swollen ankle of President Donald Trump are pictured as he sits with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington. More Alex Brandon/AP What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency? CVI is a condition in which the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood back to the heart. This occurs when the one-way valves inside the leg veins—responsible for keeping blood flowing upward—become damaged or weakened. As a result, blood can pool in the lower extremities, leading to swelling, discomfort, and a range of other symptoms. The condition is most often caused by factors such as aging, obesity, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, a history of blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis), or the presence of varicose veins. Over time, the increased pressure from trapped blood can lead to visible changes in the skin and even open sores, particularly around the ankles. Symptoms of CVI include leg swelling, aching or cramping, heaviness, visible varicose veins, skin discoloration, and in more advanced cases, ulcers around the ankles. These symptoms often worsen after long periods of standing or sitting and improve with leg elevation. Is CVI Life Threatening? While CVI is generally not life-threatening, it can significantly affect quality of life if left untreated. It may also increase the risk of complications like cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection) or DVT. CVI is a manageable condition, particularly when diagnosed early. However, in older adults or those with other underlying health issues, it may point to broader concerns about circulatory health. The condition is not reversible. How Is CVI Treated? Treatment for CVI depends on severity but often starts with lifestyle changes like regular exercise, leg elevation, and wearing compression stockings. In more persistent or severe cases, medical interventions such as sclerotherapy, laser therapy, or vein surgery may be recommended to improve blood flow and relieve symptoms. How Common Is CVI? CVI is very common, especially among older adults. In the United States, it's estimated to affect more than 25 million adults, with roughly 6 million experiencing advanced stages of the condition. Prevalence studies in the general population show that 1–17 percent of men and 1–40 percent of women are affected to varying degrees. The likelihood of developing CVI increases with age—affecting up to 40 percent of women and 17 percent of men, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In clinical settings, incidence rates suggest around 150,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S., with total health care costs nearing $500 million per year, the NIH reported.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Physician explains brain fog isn't just fatigue: Here's what post Covid 19 patients should know
Back in October 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, The New York Times reported that brain fog is defined by memory loss, confusion, difficulty focusing, dizziness, and even having trouble speaking everyday words. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anand Kalaskar, general physician, Apollo Clinic, Nigdi explained how brain fog can have detrimental impacts on everyday life. Also read | Say goodbye to brain fog: Diet plan for sharper focus, memory and mental clarity Brain fog is a common condition characterised by cognitive impairment such as difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and decreased mental clarity, among others. (Pexels) What is brain fog and what are its symptoms? Dr Kalaskar said, 'Brain fog is a nonprofessional term commonly used to describe a set of cognitive symptoms that include lapses in memory, difficulty with concentration, mental sluggishness, and reduced thought clarity.' This brain fog reportedly affects people who have had mild Covid-19 symptoms as well as those who experienced severe symptoms — it ranges. Dr Kalaskar added, 'In post-Covid-19 patients, brain fog is typically presented as forgetfulness, word-finding difficulty, slowing of processing speed, or persistent mental fatigue. The patients experience themselves as working in a fog and having difficulty focusing or getting things done effectively. The symptoms persist for weeks or months after recovery from acute infection.' Brain fog vs tiredness According to Dr Kalaskar, benign tiredness or fatigue usually resolves with rest, is not notably impairing cognition, and is generally nonspecific. Conversely, he said, neurological impairment from Covid-19 'usually includes objective cognitive impairments such as compromised memory, attentional impairment, disorientation, or executive dysfunction'. 'Clinically, if a patient presents with persistent cognitive impairment interfering with work or activities of daily living, particularly if these are accompanied by headache, dizziness, sleep, or mood change, neurological assessment is warranted. Even in patients with mild illness, brain fog can occur, and so complaints of cognition should not be written off as simple tiredness,' Dr Kalaskar said. Dr Kalaskar added that post-Covid-19, brain fog has been thought to be due to prolonged neuroinflammation provoked by a hyperimmune reaction to infection. 'Microvascular damage – micro clots or endothelial dysfunction – has also been thought to incapacitate oxygen and nutrient supply to brain tissue. Central nervous system invasion by the virus, blood-brain barrier disruption, and autonomic nervous system dysregulation have also been proposed. Mental issues like anxiety, depression, and post-viral fatigue also add to these symptoms,' he said. Can you get tested for brain fog? Dr Kalaskar shared that neurologists resort to 'a combination of clinical evaluation, cognitive screening tests, and imaging when necessary'. Routine tests are the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for memory, attention, and executive function, he said. 'In some cases, more detailed neuropsychological testing is indicated. MRI or functional MRI can be advised to exclude structural changes or vascular illness. Blood tests for inflammatory markers, thyroid function, vitamin B12, and D-dimer can be used to exclude other etiologies. Referral to a multidisciplinary long Covid-19 clinic may be indicated in severe or prolonged cases,' Dr Kalaskar said. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
The Hill
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Hill
3 in 4 want legally required, publicly disclosed presidential health tests: Survey
Three in four Americans want health test requirements for presidents that would be released to the public, a new survey released on Friday found. Seventy-four percent of respondents agreed there should be legal requirements for the sitting president to share health records, in an Axios/Ipsos poll, and 72 percent of respondents thought most elected officials aren't honest about their own health. Additionally, 81 percent of respondents said there should be age limits in place for federal officials, including presidents, Supreme Court justices and members of Congress. Only 40 percent of respondents said former presidents should legally have to share health records. The issue of health and cognitive abilities of sitting presidents has been in the spotlight since former President Biden's disastrous debate in June and eventual decision not to run for reelection. He was 82 when he left office and recently announced he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Earlier this week, Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans accused former Biden Cabinet officials, Democratic members of Congress and the media of participating in a massive 'cover-up' to hide what they claim was the former president's obvious and alarming cognitive decline during his final two years in office. President Trump, who just turned 79 last week, is the oldest president to be inaugurated. He underwent an annual physical exam in April and his physician wrote in a memo that he was in 'excellent health.' The memo confirmed that Trump took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a test commonly used to detect memory issues or cognitive impairment, and scored a 30 out of 30. Since he first left office in 2020, Trump had released limited information about his physical health. His campaign released a letter in November 2023 from his personal physician, with little specifics. Nikki Haley, Trump's former U.N. ambassador who challenged him in the 2024 GOP primary, called for cognitive tests for politicians over 75. 'To most Americans, this is common sense. But many political and media elites scoff at these ideas,' she wrote in May 2023. The survey was conducted June 13 to 16 and included 1,104 U.S. adults. It has a margin of error of +/-3.3 percentage points.
Medscape
11-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Sleep, Small Vessel Disease, and Cognition in Minor Stroke
Disturbed sleep was associated with greater small vessel disease (SVD) burden and worse cognitive performance in patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study analysed 422 patients with TIA or mild stroke from two prospective cohorts (Edinburgh-UK, n = 211 and Hong Kong, n = 211) between 2018 and 2022, with all participants assessed at 1-3 months post-stroke. Participants underwent brain MRI for assessing markers of SVD (Fazekas white matter hyperintensities [WMHs], lacunes, perivascular spaces, and microbleeds) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for evaluating cognition. Self-reported sleep metrics (in-bed time, nighttime sleep duration, sleep latency, and sleep efficiency) were extracted from an adapted Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The main outcome was SVD burden; the secondary outcome was the total MoCA score. TAKEAWAY: Longer in-bed time was independently associated with increased summary SVD burden (odds ratio [OR], 1.27 per 1-SD increase; false discovery rate-adjusted P = .04) and greater periventricular burden (OR, 1.53 per 1-SD increase; P = .003). = .04) and greater periventricular burden (OR, 1.53 per 1-SD increase; = .003). Increased sleep duration was not associated with cognitive performance/longer in-bed time was significantly associated with a lower total MoCA score (standardised β, −0.58; P = .02). = .02). Longer sleep duration was associated with an increased presence of cerebral microbleeds (OR, 1.42 per 1-SD increase; P = .04), although it was not significantly related to other SVD markers. = .04), although it was not significantly related to other SVD markers. In-bed time (r, 0.52) and sleep efficiency (r, 0.56) were positively correlated with sleep duration; sleep latency was negatively correlated with sleep duration (r, −0.24; P < .001 for all). IN PRACTICE: "2 markers of disturbed sleep, longer in-bed time and longer sleep duration, were cross-sectionally associated with greater SVD burden and worse cognitive performance in patients with TIA/mild stroke," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Dillys Xiaodi Liu, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, and was published online on May 28, 2025, in Neurology . LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design and visual assessments of WMHs and brain atrophy limited precision. Patients with a history of sleep apnoea were not excluded, and changes in sleep quality over time were not assessed. As only baseline cross-sectional data were analysed, causal relationships cannot be established, and findings may differ in longitudinal contexts. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the UK Dementia Research Institute, European Union Horizon 2020, Row Fogo Charitable Trust, and other funding agencies. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Donald Trump wearing a ‘hidden leg brace' to treat nerve damage? Speculation grows after US President's Air Force One stumble
Donald Trump's health is under scrutiny after he stumbled boarding Air Force One, fueling speculation about a leg brace due to an unusual bulge. This follows his physician's declaration of excellent health and a perfect cognitive assessment score. The incident draws comparisons to Trump's past criticisms of President Biden's stumbles, reigniting the debate on age and fitness in politics. These rumors come just weeks after Trump's physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, declared him to be in 'excellent cognitive and physical health.' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Speculation over U.S. President Donald Trump 's health has intensified after he was seen stumbling while boarding Air Force One—and an unusual bulge under his pant leg has now sparked theories that he may be wearing a concealed leg brace.A photo shared by a Twitter user shows what appears to be a strange outline beneath Trump's trousers, prompting online chatter that he could be wearing Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs)—devices often prescribed for individuals with foot drop, a condition caused by nerve damage, according to a report by The Daily rumors come just weeks after Trump's physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, declared him to be in 'excellent cognitive and physical health.' In April, Trump underwent nearly five hours of medical evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, including blood tests, cardiac screenings, ultrasounds, and a full neurological also reportedly scored a perfect 30/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. 'I got the highest mark,' Trump said at the time. 'Good heart, a good soul—very good soul.'The most recent incident occurred Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey, as Trump boarded Air Force One en route to Washington, D.C. Video footage shows him stumbling while gripping the handrail, catching his left foot on a step before quickly regaining his balance and continuing up the Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stumbled while boarding the aircraft that day. Though both recovered swiftly, Trump's misstep went viral on social media, with many users drawing comparisons to past incidents involving President Joe Biden In 2023, Trump mocked Biden for falling to his knees at the Air Force graduation ceremony in Colorado. 'I hope he wasn't hurt… you don't want that,' Trump said, while also referencing his own careful descent down a slippery ramp at West Point in 2020. 'You've got to be careful about that—even if you have to tiptoe down a ramp.'At the time, Trump had criticized Biden for what he called an inability to "walk up a flight of stairs on Air Force One" or "put two sentences together," describing the Biden administration as with Trump himself under scrutiny over a potential leg brace, the political narrative around age, health, and fitness is again under the spotlight.
