US President Joe Biden has begun using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to treat the problem of sleep apnea, White House officials said on Wednesday, as reported by Reuters. A White House spokesperson, Andrew Bates, was quoted as saying by Reuters: "He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history." Another official, Reuters quoted, said Biden had begun using the CPAP machine in recent weeks to improve his sleep quality.
No additional details on specific complaints or diagnosis for the requirement of the machine were provided by the officials, the Reuters report said. There was also no detail on how the sleep apnea was treated previously and if Biden had undergone a sleep study.
The report mentioned that the use of the machine was not disclosed earlier. It added that any problems the president may have had with apnea or sleeping soundly did not feature in a February summary of the president's health status, which focused on conditions for which the president was "currently being treated."
Meanwhile, Reuters mentioned, the White House said it is transparent about the president's health but did not say why it had not disclosed the machine's use when it started.
In a 2019 report released by Biden's presidential campaign team, his doctor Kevin O'Connor said that he looked into Biden having sleep apnea but that his symptoms improved after nasal passage and sinus surgeries.
On Wednesday, President Biden was seen by reporters with marks on his face indicating he had been wearing some type of wide strap, the report said adding that many CPAP users wear a mask held on by a strap.
Notably, 80-year-old Biden is the oldest person to serve as US president, and both his age and health have been a focus of voters as he seeks another four-year term in the 2024 election.
Reuters stated that public opinion polling shows that a majority of Americans have concerns about Biden's age. In February, his doctor declared him healthy and "fit for duty" after a physical examination. That report added that Biden has dealt with "sinus congestion for most of his life," and that "sinus symptoms have improved after several sinus and nasal passage surgeries."
As per Reuters, in 2008, Politico mentioned Biden's "reoccurring problem of sleep apnea" in a story about a report on 49 pages of medical history released when he was Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder characterised by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. If left untreated, it can cause forgetfulness, fatigue and sleepiness, and can ultimately lead to cardiovascular disease because of the significant strain it can put on the heart, Reuters added citing studies.
Notably, age is one of several factors that increase the risk of developing sleep apnea.
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