Obama's Sore Throat Isn't That Innocent

I hope President Obama remembered to re-enroll in his health insurance plan — he does have until February 2015, after all — because it looks like he doesn't have an ordinary cold. After suffering from a sore throat over the last couple of weeks, Obama went to the hospital today for some tests. The good news: he's not dying. The bad news: the president reportedly has acid reflux, which exacerbated his sore throat. Poor Obama, as if his 2014 could get any worse.

Reuters reports the president went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Saturday, complaining of a persistent sore throat. There, Obama underwent a CT scan and a fiber optic exam, according to a statement released by the White House.

Obama's physician, Captain Ronny Jackson, said in the White House statement that the president had acid reflux, likely triggering the sore throat. The physician explained:

The [fiber optic] exam revealed soft tissue swelling in the posterior throat ... The CT scan was normal. The president's symptoms are consistent with soft tissue inflammation related to acid reflux and will be treated accordingly.

According to Jackson, Obama received a CT scan, which is typically done to look for tumors and hemorrhages, after he was evaluated by an ear, nose and throat specialist. Jackson reiterated that the CT scan was a "routine" procedure, conducted because doctors found the inflamed tissue in Obama's throat.

And to downplay further concerns about Obama's health, Jackson said he recommended the president go to Walter Reed for tests because he had a break in his crazily hectic agenda — not because he was in serious danger. Jackson again emphasized that the CT scan was done "purely as a matter of convenience" in regard to the president's busy Saturday afternoon. He's going to be OK, guys, really.

In fact, Obama was just out celebrating the holiday season on Thursday, attending the annual tree lighting in Washington, D.C. with Michelle Obama and their two daughters. Sore throat caused by acid reflux, be damned.

Also, what a better reminder to enroll in Obamacare than the president rushing to the hospital to get that pesky sore throat figured out. True illness, or an elaborate Healthcare Dot Gov marketing ploy? (I bet we can expect some #SoreThroatTruthers coming out of the woodwork soon.)

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