Obama releases medical information: "excellent health."
WASHINGTON--Likely Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is in "excellent health," according to a summary of Obama medical records released on Thursday. The 276-word summary was written by Dr. David L. Scheiner, the Chicago doctor who has been Obama's personal physician since March, 1987. Obama has not had a check-up in more than a year. Scheiner described Obama as "lean and muscular with no excess body fat." Obama is still using Nicorette gum to stay off cigarettes--he has quit smoking several times, his doctor notes.
HIghlights:
*Triglycerides of 44(normal under 150), cholesterol 173 (normal under
200), HDL 68 (normal over 40), and LDL 96 (normal under 130). Chem 24,
urinalysis and CBC were normal, PSA was 0.6, very good. An EKG was
normal.
The Obama campaign decided to release this summary of Obama's health
status at this time to contrast with the long medical history of GOP
presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Az.). The McCain campaign last
week allowed a select group of reporters to study McCain's more complex
medical history, complicated because of his skin cancer and injuries
suffered while serving in the military and as a prisoner of war in Viet
Nam.
click below for full Scheiner letter....
from the Obama campaign....
Below and attached is a letter from Senator Obama’s physician detailing a summary of his health records.
DAVID L. SCHEINER, M.D.
Hyde Park Associates in Medicine, Ltd.
1515 East 52nd Place, Chicago, IL 60615
To Whom It May Concern:
I am David L. Scheiner, a board certified general internist licensed to
practice in the State of Illinois. I am on staff at the University of
Chicago Hospitals and Rush University Medical Center. I have been
Senator Barack Obama’s primary care physician since March 23, 1987. The
following is a summary of his medical records for the past 21 years.
During that period of time, Senator Obama has been in excellent health.
He has been seen regularly for medical checkups and various minor
problems such as upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and minor
injuries.
His family history is pertinent for his mother’s death from ovarian
cancer and grandfather who died of prostate cancer. His own history
included intermittent cigarette smoking. He has quit this practice on
several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success.
Senator Obama’s last medical checkup was on January 15, 2007; he had no
complaints. He exercised regularly often jogging three miles. His diet
was balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids. A complete review
of systems was unremarkable. On physical examination, his blood
pressure was 90/60 and pulse 60/minute. His build was lean and muscular
with no excess body fat. His physical examination was completely normal.
Laboratory studies included triglycerides of 44(normal under 150),
cholesterol 173 (normal under 200), HDL 68 (normal over 40), and LDL 96
(normal under 130). Chem 24, urinalysis and CBC were normal, PSA was
0.6, very good. An EKG was normal.
In short, his examination showed him to be in excellent health. Senator
Barack Obama is in overall good physical and mental health needed to
maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President.
Sincerely,
David L. Scheiner, M.D.
By Shailagh Murray
Sen. Barack Obama is in "excellent health," according to a letter from his longtime physician (PDF) released by the campaign. And yes, that gum he's often chewing is Nicorette.
In
the 21 years that Dr. David L. Scheiner, a Hyde Park internist, has
treated Obama, the Illinois senator has reported a series of minor
problems, like rashes, respiratory infections and unspecified -- but
possibly basketball-related -- minor injuries.
Scheiner noted a
history a cancer in Obama's family. His mother died in her early 50s of
ovarian cancer, and his grandfather died of prostate cancer. As for
Obama, "his own history included intermittent cigarette smoking,"
Scheiner wrote. "He has quit this practice on several occasions and is
currently using Nicorette gum with success."
Obama chews lots of
gum on the campaign trail, although never on stage. He'll pop in a
piece while he's boarding his airplane, or when he heads to the back
cabin to talk to reporters.
Scheiner last saw Obama in January
2007, before he hit the campaign trail. The fitness-conscious candidate
jogs three miles regularly, his doctor reported, and "his diet was
balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids." Obama's eating
habits are notoriously disciplined. Staffers say he favors salmon for
dinner and trail mix for snacks.
Obama's blood pressure was
90/60 and pulse 60/minute, Scheiner reported. "His build was lean and
muscular with no excess body fat." He might have even less now, because
the candidate seems to get thinner the longer he spends on the road.
Laboratory
studies found Obama's triglycerides of 44(normal is under 150);
cholesterol at 173 (normal is under 200), a PSA count of 0.6 (very
good). His EKG was normal.
"In short, his examination showed him
to be in excellent health," Scheiner wrote. "Senator Barack Obama is in
overall good physical and mental health needed to maintain the
resiliency required in the Office of President."
if Obama elected.
Glad to hear a informed voice
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