According to a report by Bloomberg, White House officials announced on the 28th that President Biden has recently started using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to treat his long-standing condition, sleep apnea.
The report conveyed a statement from White House spokesperson Andrew Bates who shared that since 2008, Biden has disclosed his history of sleep apnea in medical reports. Bates indicated that the president used a CPAP machine the previous night, which is common for individuals with this condition. An anonymous source familiar with the matter also informed that Biden's recent initiation of the CPAP treatment is not associated with any new health issues or environmental factors.
Bloomberg highlighted that on the 28th, local time, 80-year-old Biden left the White House to give a speech on economic issues in Chicago. When addressing the media at the White House, the marks from the straps of the CPAP machine were clearly visible on his face. Similar marks were also seen on Biden's face at a White House event on the 26th.
Citing the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bloomberg reported that CPAP treatment can improve sleep quality by keeping the wearer's airways open during sleep, thereby reducing snoring. Sleep apnea, a common condition in which a patient's airway becomes obstructed during the night, leading to breathing difficulties. The CPAP machine's mask comes with several straps, typically worn by users when they sleep.
The report pointed out that a medical report released by the White House in February admitted that Biden had previously undergone multiple sinus and nasal surgeries and has spent most of his time dealing with respiratory obstructions. Last year, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also mentioned that Biden often coughs and suffers from asthma, requiring him to carry an inhaler for medication.
