Donald Trump, announced the White House, is suffering from a chronic vein condition, known as venous insufficiency. The news was announced on Thursday, after days of speculation regarding photographs that showed bruising on the US president's hand.

Trump also experienced swelling in his legs and underwent a "comprehensive exam" while he took an aspirin. As per the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump's bruised hand was consistent with "tissue damage from frequent handshaking", and taking aspirin was "part of a standard cardio-vascular prevention regimen".

For Trump and his supporters this news comes as a blow, not just because of his health concerns, but also because he, 79, has often boasted about his good health, so far to say, "the healthiest president that's ever lived".

Also Read: 'Pretty Little Baby' Singer Connie Francis Passes Away At 87, What Happened To Her?

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

As per John Hopkins Medicine, chronic venous insufficiency occurs when your leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves don’t work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs.

Symptoms, especially if not treated well, could lead to:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Cramps
• Skin Changes
• Varicose Veins
• Legs Ulcers

What Causes This Condition?

This condition could happen if you are overweight, pregnant, or have a family history of the problem. It can also happen if you had damage to your leg due to an injury, surgery, or any previous blood clot.

Other causes are:

High blood pressure in the leg veins over time, due to sitting or standing for long periods

• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• A blood clot in a deep vein, often in the calf or thigh (deep vein thrombosis)
• Swelling and inflammation of a vein close to the skin, often in the legs (phlebitis)

John Hopkins Medicine notes the following as symptoms of the condition:

• Swelling in your legs or ankles
• Tight feeling in your calves or itchy, painful legs
• Pain when walking that stops when you rest
• Brown-colored skin, often near the ankles
• Varicose veins
• Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to treat
• Having an uncomfortable feeling in your legs and an urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome)
• Painful leg cramps or muscle spasms (charley horse)

What Do The Officials Say?

As per Dr Meryl Logan, assistant professor of vascular surgery at the University of Texas at Austin, veins and valves in this condition "propel the blood up and out of the leg" and back toward the heart, as is also reported by the BBC.

"So what chronic venous insufficiency is, is when those veins and valves don't work and blood goes backwards down the legs," she said.

White House physician Sean Barbabella has confirmed in a statement to reporters that Donald Trump’s condition is “benign and common,” particularly among people over the age of 70.

Further tests showed no evidence of heart failure, kidney issues, or any other systemic illness, Barbabella noted, echoing details shared earlier by spokesperson Steven Cheung and Trump advisor Brian Leavitt.

The doctor added that, overall, Trump is in “excellent health.”

Speculation began after photographers spotted what looked like swelling in Trump’s legs during the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey on July 13. A few days later, photos from his meeting with Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the White House showed noticeable bruising on his hands.

Vaccine safety, a debate the Trump administration just cannot let go. Once again, the same debate is stirring up, and this time an internal Food and Drug Administration memo that The New York Times obtained has linked death of at least 10 children to the COVID vaccine. While the document has not been released publicly, it has already caused controversy and prompted talk of tighter regulations.

The New York Times however reports that the memo did not include essential such as the ages of the affected children, any underlying health conditions, or how the agency reached its conclusions. It also did not identify which manufacturers’ vaccines were involved. Since the findings have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal, many critics of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have raised concerns about the accuracy and timing of the claims. Kennedy has long questioned the safety of Covid shots, even as scientific consensus maintains that vaccines are safe and have saved countless lives.

So, What Does The Memo Say About Vaccination And Death Of Children?

Dr Vinay Prasad, who is the head of FDA's vaccine division wrote the memo based on the findings of a review of reports that suggested that the deaths were linked to myocarditis, which is a rare inflammation of the heart muscle.

But, what does the science say? Scientists have studied the connection between Covid vaccines and myocarditis for years, especially among teenage boys and young men. Most studies have shown that the condition is rare and usually resolves quickly.

Even so, Dr Prasad wrote to staff that the memo marked the first time the FDA would acknowledge that Covid vaccines may have played a role in the deaths of American children. He indicated that he would propose several new oversight measures. It is unclear whether the White House had been briefed on these plans or how closely officials would follow them. When The New York Times reached out to Department of Health and Human Services for a comment, the request was declined.

A Shift In Vaccine Policy

This memo comes at the time when the administration has already taken a more cautious stance on vaccines. Kennedy's team has already introduced new limits on who can or cannot receive COVID shots. The shot has now been restricted to people over 65 and younger individuals with medical vulnerabilities. Officials have also called for renewed studies on long-established vaccines that have been considered safe for decades.

Public health experts from previous administrations have warned that casting doubt on vaccines could have serious consequences. Covid has killed more than a million Americans, including about 2,100 children. Experts note that many more lives were saved because vaccines became widely available.

What Are The Experts Saying?

The memo appeared just before a significant upcoming meeting of the CDC’s vaccine committee, which now includes members known for supporting the medical freedom movement. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease specialist, said the timing did not seem accidental and called the release “irresponsible.”

Other experts expressed concern that the memo lacked important context. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia pointed out that myocarditis from Covid infection itself has been far more severe than the rare cases linked to vaccines.

Dr. Prasad also criticized previous mandates for school and workplace vaccination, claiming they pressured people into receiving shots that might pose risks. His memo ended by addressing internal disagreements within the agency and outlining how staff should resign if they oppose the new direction.

Delhi woke up to a slightly lower levels of AQI on Sunday Morning, November 30, as city's AQI dropped to 269 at 7am down from 305, which was recorded at 4pm on Saturday. This now falls under the "poor" category. However, experts say that the relief is temporary.

Many health experts and those who have studied the impact of pollution on humans have pointed out that anything above 300 is harmful to humans. These harms are not just limited to respiratory illnesses, and to lungs, causing lung cancers, but can also be the reason why obesity is on the rise.

Can Air Pollution Cause Obesity?

As per a 2021 study titled Effect of Air Pollution on Obesity in Children: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, there is a connection between air pollution and weight gain through biological behavioral mechanism. The major pollutants causing obesity are nitrous oxides, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter.

These could lead to systematic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. The study mentions that fine particulate matter [PM2.5], when it enters our body, it influences the metabolism rates.

The 2021 study also revealed that increase in air pollution, and road traffic noise was also associated with childhood obesity.

Also Read: 'Facing Breathing Issues After Morning Walk' Says CJI Surya Kant As Delhi's Toxic Air Worsens

Another 2011 study titled The influence of air pollution on cardiovascular and pulmonary function and exercise capacity: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), found that air pollutants may indirectly impact body weight by raising the risk of chronic conditions like blood pressure, heart diseases or lung diseases. "Exposure to higher concentrations of air pollution was associated with higher resting blood pressure and lower ventilatory function. Ozone was associated with reduced exercise capacity," researchers of the study wrote.

The latest study published in 2024 titled The association between air pollution and obesity: an umbrella review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews, found that air pollution can impact metabolic function by influencing inflammation in fat tissue. It leads to an increase in oxidative stress and alters one's dietary habits.

Pollution And Women's Health

This does not end here, air pollution could also negatively impact women. As Dr Anuradha Kapur, Principal Director (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) and Head of Unit, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket says, "Environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and microplastics, can affect reproductive health and hormone regulation, potentially impacting menstrual cycles."

Dr Sonam Simpatwar, Gynaecologist with a diploma in reproductive medicine, practising at Central Railway Hospital, Mumbai further explained how pollutants impact women's health:

Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals found in pollution, plastics, and pesticides can mimic or interfere with hormones, potentially affecting menstrual cycles.

Climate Change: Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in water quality can impact food production, nutrition, and overall health, which can indirectly affect menstrual health.

Stress: Environmental stressors, such as pollution and climate change, can lead to increased stress, which is known to influence menstrual cycles.

"It's important to note that these are potential factors, and more research is needed to fully understand their impact on menstrual health," she said.

High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), commonly called "bad" cholesterol, continue to be a leading modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) worldwide. While statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications have significantly improved treatment, many patients still do not reach the LDL-C targets recommended by guidelines.

However, a new potential solution has emerged. The experimental daily oral drug called enlicitide, part of the PCSK9 inhibitor class, demonstrated in a key Phase 3 study (CORALreef Lipids) a reduction in LDL-C of about 55.8% at 24 weeks, with post-hoc analysis suggesting reductions up to 59.7% compared to a placebo.

Statins Vs Enlicitide

Statins are the standard first-line treatment for high LDL-C and have strong evidence for lowering the risk of cardiovascular events. Yet, many patients either cannot tolerate high doses or still have elevated cholesterol levels. Injectable PCSK9 inhibitors, which are monoclonal antibodies, address this gap and can lower LDL-C by up to 70% but are expensive, require injections, and have limited uptake.

Introducing an oral PCSK9 inhibitor could make powerful LDL-C reduction more accessible. According to trial data, enlicitide may achieve reductions similar to injectable options while being more convenient and potentially more widely available.

Enlicitide: A Potential Breakthrough for "Bad" Cholesterol

The CORALreef Lipids Phase 3 study involved 2,912 adults at risk of or with established ASCVD who were either already on lipid-lowering therapy or unable to take statins. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a daily 20 mg dose of oral enlicitide or a placebo. At 24 weeks, the main analysis showed an average LDL-C reduction of 55.8%, with a post-hoc reanalysis estimating 59.7%. The drug’s safety profile was similar to placebo, with no major safety concerns reported and low rates of discontinuation due to adverse effects.

Enlicitide Implications: What Does This Mean Clinically?

These reductions are substantial, suggesting oral enlicitide could:

• Improve adherence since it eliminates the need for injections
• Increase access, particularly in resource-limited areas
• Provide an alternative for patients intolerant or resistant to statins

In India, where ASCVD prevalence is high and expensive therapies are less accessible, this pill could provide a practical, scalable option alongside diet, exercise, and current statin or ezetimibe treatments.

Enlicitide Caveats: Unanswered Questions To Be Mindful Of

Despite the promising LDL-C reductions, several key issues remain:

• Cardiovascular outcomes: It is not yet confirmed whether enlicitide lowers heart attacks, strokes, or mortality. Current data focus on cholesterol reduction, not clinical endpoints.
• Long-term safety: Data beyond 24 weeks and one year is limited.
• Approval and cost: Enlicitide is still investigational and not available for regular use. Regulatory approvals, like FDA evaluation, will review full data. Its real-world adoption in India will depend on cost and accessibility.
• Patient selection and combination therapy: How enlicitide will be integrated with existing statins, ezetimibe, and lifestyle interventions is still under review. Guidelines may require updating.
• Sub-group efficacy: Will results apply across different ethnicities, comorbidities, and specifically the Indian population? Local data will be important.

The investigational oral pill enlicitide could represent a major advance in cholesterol management. For patients whose LDL-C remains high despite statins, or who cannot tolerate injections, it offers a potent and convenient alternative. Yet, medicine requires caution.

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a doctor or specialist before starting or changing any medication