Latest news with #bruising
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The White House Says Trump Has Been Diagnosed With Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Here's What That Means.
This week, the White House answered two questions many people have been asking: Why are Donald Trump's legs and ankles swollen? And why is there a bruise on his hand that's often covered by makeup? The answer? First, the leg swelling is due to chronic venous insufficiency, which White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described as a 'benign and common condition.' The bruise on his hand is unrelated and due to hand shaking and the use of aspirin, the White House said in a memo. 'It's very rare for people to get chronic venous insufficiency in the arms, and so it's unlikely that the skin discoloration is due to varicose vein[s] or the chronic venous insufficiency issue,' said Dr. Hugh Pabarue, a physician and vein specialist at Metro Vein Centers in Michigan. As we age, our skin thins and blood vessels become more easily exposed, so an accidental hand bump against the table can lead to easier bruising, Pabarue noted. But, once again, that isn't the same thing as chronic venous insufficiency. Doctors say there are a few things you should know about chronic venous insufficiency in addition to Trump's visible leg-swelling issue. Here's what to know: Blood flow issues are at the center of chronic venous insufficiency. Dr. Alexa Mieses Malchuk, a family physician in North Carolina, said chronic venous insufficiency is common, especially as folks age. To understand what chronic venous insufficiency is, it's important to understand how arteries and veins work, said Mieses Malchuk. 'And there's one big, important difference between them, and that's that arteries will actively pump blood around the body,' she said. 'Veins, on the other hand, do not pump blood, which surprises a lot of people because many people know that the veins do carry blood,' Mieses Malchuk added. The way blood is carried through veins is more of a passive process — movements such as walking and muscle flexing put pressure on the veins and that pressure 'pushes the blood back up to our heart,' she said. Then, our valves come in to keep the blood from flowing backward, she added. In the case of venous insufficiency, the veins get too relaxed and the valves almost get floppy, she explained. 'So, instead of blood being pushed back up to the heart, it can flow backwards. It could even stay stagnant in the veins,' she said. This is something that commonly happens with age. The valves wear out with time, said Pabarue. 'What ends up happening is blood comes down through the arteries OK, but then going back through the veins, it's very slow because those valves are no longer helping to push the blood out,' Pabarue said. After a day of sitting or standing for long periods, gravity then holds that blood in our legs, he added. Symptoms include leg swelling, which was reported in Trump, among other things. When blood accumulates in our veins, they 'stretch out, and as they enlarge, they can push on the structures around [them] — muscles, nerves,' explained Pabarue. According to Pabarue, folks with chronic venous insufficiency may report leg cramps, a feeling of leg heaviness, itching, burning, skin discoloration on the legs or, as in the case of Trump, leg swelling. 'Those are the biggest symptoms associated with vein problems,' Pabarue noted. Usually, these symptoms aren't as noticeable in the morning, but as the day goes on and blood accumulates in the legs, the discomfort starts. 'So, generally, this is a progressive problem [and] will continue to get worse if we don't do anything about it,' he said. How it appears is a spectrum. 'When we talk about venous insufficiency, it's actually a spectrum of disease,' explained Mieses Malchuk. For some people, the condition shows up as varicose veins, although not all varicose veins are chronic venous insufficiency, she added. For others, the symptoms are more severe. 'Many people have it [and] they know they have it, and they live totally normal lives,' Mieses Malchuk said Others have symptoms that disrupt their daily functioning, she noted. In this case, they may need to see a vascular doctor for treatment and even surgery, Mieses Malchuk added. 'I just want to highlight that it's a spectrum of disease that has varying symptoms depending on how far along they are,' she said. Things like compression socks and exercise can help prevent chronic venous insufficiency. Chronic venous insufficiency is a common condition as folks age, but certain people are at higher risk. 'For example, obesity, older age, smoking ... if you stand a lot, so, for example, nurses, doctors, hair stylists, people who work in retail who spend their life standing, are definitely at risk,' noted Mieses Malchuk. It's also more common during pregnancy, said Pabarue. Those who are at higher risk should consider wearing compression socks to help decrease their chances of developing chronic venous insufficiency, said Mieses Malchuk. 'By wearing compression socks, you're applying pressure in the right direction in your lower extremities so that it's much easier for the blood to get back up to your heart,' she explained. Pabarue added that it's good if the compression socks are at least knee-high, but thigh-high is even better. You should also make sure you're in the right size socks, which can be deciphered by measuring your calf, Mieses Malchuk noted. It's also helpful to manage your weight and exercise regularly, said Pabarue. 'Because obesity tends to cause premature vein problems,' Pabarue added. If you do notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, 'it doesn't hurt to get checked out,' Pabarue said. 'What I would recommend is seeing either your primary care [doctor] and discussing it with them, or seeking out a vein specialist or vascular surgeon to discuss options and at least get a baseline screening,' he noted. The longer you wait, the more complicated it is to treat, Pabarue noted. Related... White House Just Confirmed That Trump's Bruises Stem From This Medical Condition Trump Calls His Critics 'Haters' And 'Bad People' — Here's Why That's A Red Flag Fox News Reporter Finally Asks Karoline Leavitt What We're All Thinking About 'Epstein Hoax' Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
4 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Doctors react to alleged Trump health concerns as photos show swelling and bruising
After photos circulated recently of President Donald Trump's apparently swollen legs and bruised hand, doctors are speaking about potential causes and concerns. In an "effort of transparency" on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a note from Trump's physician after he underwent a "comprehensive examination" by the White House Medical Unit. During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that Trump's swollen legs were part of a "benign and common condition" called "chronic venous insufficiency" that can affect older individuals. (The president is 79.) "Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease," she said. Leavitt attributed the bruising on the president's hand to "frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin." "This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen," she said. "This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy, and the president remains in excellent health." Scott A. Sundick, M.D., a vascular and endovascular surgeon at The Cardiovascular Care Group in Westfield, New Jersey, commented on the concerns that have been raised. (He has not treated the president.) "Leg swelling is a common condition, particularly among older adults. As a practicing vascular surgeon, I see patients for this issue more frequently than almost any other complaint," he told Fox News Digital. "The president remains in excellent health." While leg swelling is often benign, it can sometimes be a symptom of serious, potentially life-threatening conditions, such as acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), congestive heart failure (CHF) or renal failure, according to the doctor. "In the president's case, these more concerning causes were appropriately ruled out through a combination of diagnostic testing, including a venous Doppler ultrasound, echocardiogram and laboratory evaluations respectively," he added. Sundick also spoke about the president's diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, which he described as a "relatively common and benign condition." "Under normal circumstances, blood returns to the heart from the legs through the veins, aided by the contraction of leg muscles with each step we take," he said. "These contractions help push blood upward, and valves within the veins prevent it from flowing backward toward the feet. When these valves become weakened or incompetent, blood can pool in the lower legs — a condition known as venous insufficiency." This condition can cause symptoms such as leg swelling or varicose veins, the doctor noted. Treatment usually includes the use of compression stockings or, in some cases, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure called venous ablation. Regarding the bruising being attributed to aspirin therapy, Sundick noted that many older adults take daily low-dose aspirin as part of a cardiovascular disease prevention strategy. "Aspirin works by inhibiting platelet function, reducing the risk of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks or strokes," he said. "A well-known side effect of aspirin therapy is an increased tendency to bruise easily, even with minor trauma." Sundick said this is "common and generally not concerning," particularly considering aspirin's "well-established cardiovascular benefits." Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News' senior medical analyst, also commented on the bruising seen on Trump's hand. "As you age, your skin can become more friable (fragile), less elastic and more prone to easy bruising," Siegel, who has not treated the president, told Fox News Digital. "I don't think there's anything hidden there at all." "Aspirin interferes with platelet function, making this more likely." On a Thursday episode of "America Reports," Siegel noted that he found the medical update "reassuring," calling Trump's condition "not serious, completely benign and cosmetic." "It's expected for a man who's in his late 70s and standing on his feet all the time," Siegel added, noting that compression stockings and elevating the legs could help to reduce swelling and any potential discomfort. For more Health articles, visit The doctor also said he "accepts the explanation" that Trump's hand bruising is caused by "vigorous handshaking." "I don't think there's anything hidden there at all," Siegel said.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
No clot, just clout: Trump's bruises from ‘frequent handshaking', says White House
Trump's hand bruising from frequent handshaking, doctor says No signs of serious health issues, Trump's doctor confirms WASHINGTON, July 18 — The White House said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, reading a letter from Trump's doctor at a press briefing, said both ailments were benign. His leg swelling is from a 'common' vein condition, and his hand is bruised from shaking so many hands, she told reporters. The disclosure sought to put to rest a raft of internet rumors that the 79-year-old Trump might be suffering from a serious ailment based on the photographic evidence. After Leavitt's briefing, the White House released the letter from a US Navy officer who is Trump's physician, Sean Barbabella. It said Trump underwent a suite of tests about the issues. Barbabella said an ultrasound on the president's legs 'revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.' The letter said there was no evidence Trump had contracted deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, kidney impairment, or a systemic illness, Barbabella said. Leavitt told reporters Trump was not experiencing discomfort due to the condition. Barbabella also said that Trump had bruising on the back of his right hand. He described this as 'consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.' 'President Trump remains in excellent health,' he said. Kwame Amankwah, a physician who is chief of vascular surgery at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, said chronic venous insufficiency is usually an issue with the lower legs in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart. It is usually treated with compression stockings and leg elevation, he said. 'Even if he doesn't have heart disease, the condition needs to be addressed. If it's not managed with compression stockings and elevation, severe swelling and ulcers can develop, warranting more significant medical interventions,' Amankwah said. Todd Berland, a physician who is director of outpatient vascular interventions at NYU Langone Health, said chronic venous insufficiency 'has no overall effect on life expectancy. It's a quality-of-life issue, not a quantity of life issue.' Trump underwent an extensive physical examination on April 11 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Washington. It said Trump had a normal heart rhythm and no major health problems. — Reuters
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Trump diagnosed with vein disease after being examined for swelling and bruises
The White House said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, reading a letter from Trump's doctor at a press briefing, said both ailments were benign. His leg swelling is from a 'common' vein condition, and his hand is bruised from shaking so many hands, she told reporters. The disclosure sought to put to rest a raft of internet speculation that the 79-year-old Trump might be suffering from a serious ailment based on the photographic evidence. After Leavitt's briefing, the White House released the letter from a US Navy officer who is Trump's doctor, Sean Barbabella. It said Trump underwent a suite of tests about the issues. Barbabella said an ultrasound on the president's legs 'revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70'. The letter said there was no evidence Trump had contracted deep vein thrombosis, a malady that afflicted former US president Richard Nixon, or arterial disease. Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, kidney impairment, or a systemic illness, Barbabella said.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
White House addresses cause of Trump's 'swelling' on hands and legs
The White House disclosed that Donald Trump has a chronic condition that leads to swelling in his ankles and finally addressed mysterious bruising and makeup that has appeared on the president's hand. In a surprise statement from the podium during a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president was checked out by his doctor after noticeable 'swelling' and revealed that Trump has been diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency.' The makeup appeared to be concealing a raised circular area of skin. Leavitt said the president recently 'noticed mild swelling in the lower legs' and 'in keeping with routine medical care and out of the abundance of caution' he was evaluated by the White House medical unit. He underwent a 'comprehensive examination' which included 'diagnostic vascular studies.' 'Bilateral, lower extremity ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency,' Leavitt stated. She said it's a 'common condition' in individuals over the age of 70 and there was 'no evidence' of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. She also addressed the 'minor bruising' on the back of Trump's hand. 'This is consistent with minor soft-tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy.' 'The president remains in excellent health,' Leavitt continued. Officials have previously stated that the frequent handshaking – Trump regularly interacts with a large number of people at White House events and when he travels – but have not previously identified the aspirin issue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins are damaged, making it more difficult for blood to return to the heart. It 'causes blood to pool in your leg veins, leading to high pressure in those veins.'
