As US president Joe Biden, 80, left the White House residence with noticeable marks on his face, officials said that the marks were a result of him using a CPAP machine to treat his sleep apnea.
‘Since 2008, the president has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports. He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,’ White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said.
Joe Biden- the oldest person to serve as US president- seeks a second, four-year term in the 2024 election as his age has become a concern for the Democrat party and the voters. Public opinion polling has increasingly shown that a majority of Americans have concerns about Joe Biden's age ahead of the elections.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea- a common sleep disorder- causes brief interruptions of breathing during sleep which can result in snoring, daytime fatigue, high blood pressure and even heart problems. Due to sleep apnea, throat muscles relax which result in blocking the flow of air into the lungs. If left untreated, it can cause forgetfulness, fatigue and sleepiness, even leading to cardiovascular disease because of the significant strain put on the heart.
What is a CPAP machine?
White House officials said that Joe Biden is using CPAP machine. A CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine is a medical device which used to treat sleep apnea. It delivers a continuous flow of pressurized air to the airways, which thereby prevents them from collapsing. Thus, it helps in maintaining an open airway and eases breathing.
