President Biden May Have Parkinson's Disease, Health Expert Says After 2024 First Presidential Debate

President Biden May Have Parkinson's Disease, Health Expert Says After 2024 First Presidential Debate
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons/The White House)

President Joe Biden may have a neurological disorder.

Joe Biden May Have Parkinson's Disease

According to Professor Robert Howard, an expert in old-age psychiatry at University College London, doctors can't diagnose someone without examining them. However, based on the footage from the first 2024 presidential debate, he saw some signs that Biden might have Parkinson's.

He pointed out that he was freezing and rambling and struggled to maintain attention. Although he was 98 percent fine most of the time, he seemed to lose his train of thought. The expert noted that "fluctuations and dips in attention" are key symptoms of Parkinson's.

There were speculations that Biden, 81, had dementia. Howard pointed out that while both conditions affect the brain, they manifest differently. He likened dementia to the blown lights in the house and Parkinson's to a flickering bulb. It goes a bit and dims from time to time.

The expert noted that the US president's only problem was keeping the light the whole time. Additionally, he looked expressionless and had a mask-like appearance, which is often observed in people with Parkinson's disease.

Howard noted that these should not be dismissed as symptoms of aging. If Biden has Parkinson's, though Howard stated that he wasn't saying the POTUS has, he was probably already meeting top doctors and was already in optimal treatment.

Dr. Mike Smith, an NHS GP from Hertfordshire, also said that if he were examining a patient with Biden's symptoms, he would consider Parkinson's.

Although shaking hands are among the well-known symptoms of Parkinson's, not all patients develop them. Howard added that those who suffer from the condition also fall because there are moments when they "freeze up physically." Their legs tend to become stiff, and they move slowly. Biden has been filmed falling on stairs on multiple occasions.

Although Howard wasn't certain about Biden's condition, he added that if he had Parkinson's, his health would only worsen over time because the disease is progressive. Parkinson's has no treatment, as medication only addresses the symptoms.

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What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease affects the neurological system and the body's nerve-controlled regions. The onset of symptoms is gradual. A tremor in one hand that is hardly perceptible may be the initial symptom. Although tremors are prevalent, the disease can make you stiff or move more slowly.

You may have little to no expression on your face in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. As you walk, your arms might not swing freely. You can start to speak more slowly or slurred. Over time, the disease will worsen, and so will the symptoms.

Medication may significantly lessen the symptoms. A medical expert may occasionally recommend surgery to control specific brain regions and alleviate your symptoms.