Trump's chronic venous insufficiency mirrors trend in SA, says doctor
Dr Vinesh Padayachy said the condition, where blood struggles to flow back from the legs to the heart is frequently seen in South African men and women over the age of 70.
'This isn't unique to Trump. We see hundreds of patients a year with the same issue here at home. It's a progressive condition linked to ageing, sedentary lifestyle, weight gain and even genetics. In South Africa, with rising rates of obesity and diabetes, we're seeing more cases, and sometimes at younger ages.'
The White House on Thursday announced Trump underwent medical testing after he had been seen with deep bruises on his hand and swollen legs.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
'The president underwent a comprehensive examination including diagnostic vascular studies, bilateral lower extremity intravenous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,' said Leavitt. Doctors ruled out any major concerns such as blood clots or cardiac issues, confirming only venous insufficiency.
Padayachy said that was an important distinction.
'The real concern would've been if it was deep vein thrombosis or signs of heart failure. But in this case, the diagnosis is straightforward and treatable.'
Symptoms often include swelling, heaviness, fatigue in the legs and, in some cases, visible varicose veins or skin darkening.
'In South Africa, especially in the public sector, many patients ignore the early signs because it seems minor until ulcers or infections develop. By then, treatment becomes more complex,' he said.
Padayachy said while photos of swelling may alarm the public, the condition does not indicate failing health.
'At Trump's age, this is expected. It doesn't suggest he's unfit or unwell. If anything, it's a wake-up call for many South Africans to take leg health seriously especially if they sit or stand for long hours without movement.'
He noted that truck drivers, teachers, factory workers and office staff are often at risk.
Treatment involves compression stockings, elevating the legs, light daily movement and avoiding long periods of sitting or standing.
'Treatment also includes minimally invasive procedures to seal off the vein that is not working. These procedures can be done in a vascular surgeons' rooms as a walk-in, walk-out procedure,' added Padayachy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Turning Point in Xenophobia Crisis
South Africa now stands at a perilous crossroads. The actions of the March and March group, joined by members of Operation Dudula, in blocking access to healthcare facilities for foreign nationals, here legally or otherwise, are not only illegal and unconstitutional, but deeply inhumane. It is a grim echo of the darkest chapters of our recent past. For six weeks, Addington Hospital has become a frontline of unlawful gatekeeping, with self-appointed enforcers deciding who may access public healthcare. Refugees, asylum seekers, and even South Africans without identity documents have been turned away. In one case, a man was assaulted for merely seeking physiotherapy. This is not civil activism, it is vigilantism. And yet, the police have stood by, citing vague ''agreements'' and claiming orders must come from above. Their inaction, while constitutional rights are trampled at hospital gates, is an indictment on law enforcement and governance.
TimesLIVE
13 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
US-funded contraceptives for poor nations to be burnt in France, sources say
US-funded contraceptives worth nearly $10m (R177.15m) are being sent to France from Belgium to be incinerated after Washington rejected offers from the UN and family planning organisations to buy or ship the supplies to poor nations, two sources told Reuters. A spokesperson for the US state department confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that a decision had been taken to destroy the stock. The supplies have been stuck for months in a warehouse in Geel, a city in the Belgian province of Antwerp, after President Donald Trump's decision to freeze US foreign aid in January. They comprise contraceptive implants and pills as well as intrauterine devices to help prevent unwanted pregnancies, according to seven sources and a screengrab shared by an eighth source confirming the planned destruction. The US government will spend $167,000 (R2.95m) to incinerate the stocks at a facility in France that handles medical waste, the US state department confirmed. The spokesperson said a preliminary decision had been made to destroy certain products from terminated US Agency for International Development contracts (USAID). 'Only a limited number of commodities have been approved for disposal,' the spokesperson said via email, adding that no condoms or HIV medications would be destroyed. US legislators have introduced two bills this month to prevent the destruction of the supplies after Trump's decision to shut down USAID, but aid groups say the bills are unlikely to be passed in time to stop the incineration.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Why ignoring bullying is like bandaging a deep wound: the scars run deeper
If you or your child needs help, reach out to your school counsellor, talk to a trusted teacher, or contact Childline South Africa. Even more alarming: one in three South African teenagers is a victim of cyberbullying, where group chats, doctored photos and social media shaming extend humiliation far beyond the school gates, leaving no safe space. Once brushed off as a 'rite of passage,' bullying now affects an estimated 40% of school-going children, according to research from the Department of Basic Education. In playgrounds, WhatsApp groups and school corridors across South Africa, bullying isn't just a playground drama; it's a silent crisis reshaping children's mental health, social life and future relationships. 'We're not just dealing with bruises anymore,' warns Dr Alicia Porter, psychiatrist and board member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). Porter adds, 'Children become anxious, depressed, and sometimes even suicidal. The psychological wounds often last far longer than the physical ones.' Children who are bullied often hide what's happening, only speaking out after repeated trauma. What's left behind is deep: loss of self-esteem, academic decline, social withdrawal and sometimes self-harm. Porter says the real tragedy is that these aren't just childhood memories. 'We see adults still haunted by bullying decades later, struggling with trust issues, PTSD, anxiety and relationship challenges. These are psychological injuries, not just stories from the past.' A 2022 study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children who are frequently bullied have double the risk of developing clinical depression by adulthood. That's a generational wound, and it's one South Africa can't afford to ignore. The different faces of bullying While bullying cuts across gender, age and race, Porter explains that the forms it takes can differ: Boys often experience physical bullying, such as shoving, fighting or threats. Girls are more likely to face relational bullying, exclusion, name-calling and malicious rumours. But lines blur fast. Emotional bullying leaves scars just as deep as physical bruises, and many kids experience both. Right here at home, bullying can also mirror broader social issues: children from different races, ethnicities or socioeconomic backgrounds often find themselves targeted, particularly in multi-ethnic or under-resourced schools.
