President Biden defended his GOP rival Mitch McConnell after the Senate leader again froze while answering questions from reporters – insisting that the strange episode was “part of his recovery” from a recent concussion.
The president said McConnell’s “response” was not unusual when recovering from such an injury, and denied having any concerns about the 81-year-old’s ability to effectively lead the Senate.
“I talked to Mitch. He’s a friend and I talked to him today,” Biden said when asked about McConnell’s health at a press conference on FEMA’s response to Hurricane Idalia. “And, you know, he’s his old self on the phone.
“And one of the leading women on my staff, her husband is also a neurosurgeon,” she said. “It’s not at all unusual to have the reactions that Mitch sometimes has when you have a bad concussion — it’s part of his recovery.”
“So I’m sure he’ll be back to his old self.”
McConnell was cleared to continue working Thursday, with Capitol Attending Physician Dr. Brian Monahan said in a statement he consulted with the Kentucky Republican and his neurology team.
McConnell stared off into space for nearly 30 seconds Wednesday while answering questions about his plans to run for re-election.WLWT5
McConnell was cleared to continue working Thursday.WLWT5
McConnell could not answer questions about the re-election campaign. AP
He found McConnell “medically clear to continue his schedule as planned.”
“Occasional dizziness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected from dehydration,” says Monahan.
McConnell suffered a concussion in a fall March 8 at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in Washington. He also fell while disembarking a canceled flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in northern Virginia on July 14.
Thirteen days later, McConnell was answering questions from reporters at the Capitol when he suddenly avoided and assumed a blank stare for about 20 seconds. On that occasion, the Senate Republican leader was led away by his colleagues before returning to the microphone to answer additional questions.
Later on Wednesday, the Senate leader again froze while answering questions about his prospects of running for re-election in 2026.
His eyes darted upward and he stared blankly into space as an assistant asked him if he had heard the question.
After about 30 seconds, McConnell seemed to snap back to reality and took two additional questions. A senator’s representative also chalked up the strange moment to dizziness shortly after it happened.
President Biden on Thursday defended GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, saying his “freeze” was part of his recovery from a concussion. Yuri Gripas – Pool via CNP / MEGA
It was the second time he froze — McConnell previously trailed off and stared blankly for about 20 seconds while speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill in July.AP
Although McConnell’s exact condition has not been confirmed, two leading theories in the medical community are that the symptoms of the condition stem from either a partial seizure or a mini-stroke.
Dr. Lee Schwamm, a professor of biomedical informatics and data science at Yale School of Medicine who has not treated the senator, suggested to The Post that the most plausible theory is a partial complex seizure, which can be caused by previous brain trauma — such as a concussion.
“He didn’t lose his balance. He did not fall. He froze … His hands were gripping the lectern, but if you look at his face, you’ll see his eyes veer to the right,” explained Schwamm, who also suggested that the repetitive nature of the incident could mean that McConnell suffers from partial epilepsy. .
Dr. Steven Giannotta, chairman and professor of neurosurgery at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, who also had not seen McConnell, explained that transient ischemic attacks, widely known as “mini-strokes,” are not unheard of. in the elderly.
However, Schwamm warns, the repeated nature of clotting incidents makes a TIA less likely.
“I think TIA or warning stroke is definitely valid in the differential diagnosis with the first spell [in July],” he said. “With the second time this spell has happened and especially with the eye movement changes we’ve seen – that makes it less likely.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
