United States President Barack Obama was
yesterday certified "fit to rule" after his first
medical check-up since assuming office last
year.
But his doctors observed that he has not quit
smoking, takes anti-inflammatory medication
to relieve chronic tendinitis in his left knee.
Nigerians are desperately seeking
information on President Umaru Yar’Adua’s
health. He was away in Saudi Arabia to treat
acute pericarditis (inflammation of the
heart’s covering). He returned last week after
93 days, but nobody has seen him.
They advised Obama to eat better to lower
his cholesterol. Obama, 48, a basket ball buff,
has endured an exhausting White House run
and yearlong battles with congressional
Republicans.
The White House physician, Navy Capt.
Jeffrey Kuhlman, said Obama should stick
with "smoking cessation efforts," the use of
nicotine gum, and come back in August 2011
after he turns 50.
Obama’s cholesterol levels have crept up to
borderline high and he should alter his diet
accordingly, according to a report the White
House released after the 90-minute
examination at National Naval Medical Center
in Bethesda, Md.
While at the facility, Obama visited 12
military service members receiving treatment
and rehabilitation for injuries suffered in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
The president is the picture of health, eats
modest portions and exercises regularly. He
is an avid basketball player and golfer. The
slightly elevated cholesterol levels, tendinitis
in his left knee and occasional smoking were
the only negatives noted.
Obama said at a June news conference that
he still had an occasional cigarette. It was his
first public acknowledgment that he hadn’t
kicked the habit. He chews nicotine gum to
avoid regular smoking, and his doctor said
that should continue.
Kuhlman also said the president should
modify his diet to bring his LDL, or bad
cholesterol, below 130. At the time of his last
exam, Obama’s total cholesterol was 173,
while his LDL was 96 and HDL, or good
cholesterol, was 68.
This time, total cholesterol was up to 209,
with HDL down slightly at 62. LDL was up to
138. Borderline high cholesterol starts at 200,
with LDL considered in the same category at
130.
Kuhlman said Obama’s last checkup was in
July 2008 when he was seen by the
attending physician to Congress when
Obama was an Illinois senator.
During the 2008 White House race, his
campaign released a statement from his
longtime Chicago doctor saying Obama was
in excellent health when examined January
2007.
Yesterday’s report said Obama is 6-foot-1
and weighs 180 pounds in shoes and
exercise clothing.
His pulse rate is 56, which is very good, as is
his blood pressure — 105 over 62. The
doctor said Obama’s vision was 20/20 in
both eyes for both distance and near vision.
The president was checked for and found
free of colon cancer with a virtual
colonoscopy, a scan that avoids the more
invasive visual inspection with a camera
device that is passed into the large intestine.
The tendinitis that Obama suffers in his left
leg could be the result of his regular
basketball playing.
Kuhlman said there was mild popping and
grinding in Obama’s left knee and "some
weakness" in his left hip, also possibly a
result of rigorous and extended periods on
the basketball court.
The doctor said Obama should:
•Have another exam for colon cancer in five
years
•Continue smoking cessation efforts, a daily
exercise program, a healthy diet, moderation
in alcohol intake, periodic dental care, and
remain up to date with recommended
immunizations.
•Keep up a modified exercise regimen to
strengthen his legs to ward off more
difficulties with his knee.
•Modify his diet to lower his LDL cholesterol
below 130.
http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/38035/1/Doctors-release-Obamas-health-report/Page1.html

I dont think the media has to be Obamas medical history like that.
Unless its life threatning, the media needs to leave the man alone.
Sheesh.
I dont think any president has ever been so probed!

platinumnk:

I dont think the media has to be Obamas medical history like that.
Unless its life threatning, the media needs to leave the man alone.
Sheesh.
I dont think any president has ever been so probed!

I was thinking the same thing, why do all these details have to be public knowledge like that.

But then I suspect that because of the incredible importance of the office he holds, the people need to know that he is medically and physically capable of doing his job and hence the disclosure I guess.

Nigerians displaying the health report of a sitting US president . . . where is Yar Adua's?