Guest Commentary: Hillary’s Health

[Editor:  Dr. Scott Sturman is an anesthesiologist who has practiced for many years in Fresno.  His assessment of Hillary Clinton’s medical condition, obviously viewed from afar, is the best we have seen.  B.E.]

By Dr. Scott Sturman

One of the fittest nearly 60 year old women on the planet, who has climbed mountains over 19,000 feet in the Andes, Himalayas, and Africa, cannot obtain home health care insurance because a bone scan taken in a doctor’s office indicates she has osteopenia.  On the other hand, we are lead to believe Ms. Clinton’s myriad of serious health problems does not disqualify her from becoming President of the United States.

When asked in a telephone interview today (9/13/16) by Anderson Cooper how many times she has fallen, the response was typical Clintonesque: “Just couple of times that I can remember.”   

What is known about her health history?

• She requires life long coumadin treatment for hypercoaguability and has experienced 2 episodes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a life threatening transverse sinus thrombosis. The latter can effect the cerebellum and cranial nerves, leading to balance and swallowing difficulties.  Her dysequilibrium has led to falls causing a fractured elbow and a concussion complicated with a 6th nerve palsy and transient double vision.  Her memory loss due to the concussion was so severe that she was unable to recall the events surrounding her role in the Benghazi affair. 
• Despite being at risk for a pulmonary embolism due to the history of DVT, she was not treated in a hospital and given the presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia.
• Despite Ms. Clinton’s recollection of just a couple of falls, the public is aware of at least three.  The two listed above and the latest this weekend as documented by an amateur videographer at the 9/11 ceremony.  We are lead to believe it was a benign vaso vagal event, when someone feels warm, the heart slows, and fainting ensues.   But any keen observer notices in this case the head and neck sway side to side before the legs buckle – not what one would expect in a typical vaso vagal incident.
• She has demonstated choreoathetoid movements at campaign rallies.  Some speculate this is a manifestation of Parkinson’s Disease or its treatment, but this is only conjecture.  What is certain is that this movement disorder is pathologic.
• Ms. Clinton is prone to prolonged coughing spells.  In most people the likely cause is GERD, but in Ms. Clinton’s case a swallowing disorder and chronic aspiration must be considered.  
• If and when Ms. Clinton shares her medical history with the public, it would be prudent to consider two paramount Clinton strategies: deny and not recall.

SS