Usually, when we picture heads of state, we see them as invincible and powerful, but even they can get sick as well. No less than President Barack Obama had to visit a hospital to have himself checked after suffering from a sore throat.
Accompanied by his White House physician Dr. Ronny L. Jackson and the rest of his entourage, Obama visited the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Saturday, December 6, for a CT scan after complaining of a sore throat.
According to Dr. Jackson, the president's check-up started in the morning when he underwent a throat exam using fiber optic conducted by an EENT specialist and with a direct supervision of the White House physician. He had been complaining of a sore throat for a couple of weeks then.
Because of the swelling in the soft tissue, the specialist and Obama's doctor believed that a routine CT scan is necessary for a more accurate and comprehensive evaluation.
The scan turned out normal, and the diagnosis was that he was suffering from an inflammation of the soft tissue, which is an effect of his acid reflux.
Josh Earnest, the press secretary of the White House, also confirmed that there was no need to transfer presidential authority to his vice president Joe Biden as he's been awake the whole time. The procedure, moreover, lasted for less than 30 minutes. Nevertheless, key personnel in the White House including the VIP remained updated and on alert Obama was being checked.
Acid reflux is a medical condition wherein the stomach acids move up to the esophagus, which then leads to heartburn and inflammation of the soft tissue, especially in the throat, which was happened to Obama. Although one of the leading causes of acid reflux, also known as GERD, is hiatial hernia, it may be worsened by smoking due to more build-up of acids in the stomach. Obama is a former cigarette smoker; he now uses nicotine gum.