BETHESDA, Md -- Doctors ordered President Clinton Saturday to rest his voice for 10 days to ease chronic irritation of his vocal cords, following a physical exam that found him in excellent health despite gaining 18 pounds.
The 53-year-old president underwent five hours of poking and probing by a battery of doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital near Washington. Besides the throat problem, they found him still troubled by stomach acid and removed two small precancerous growths called actinic keratoses over his right eye."I believe the president is in outstanding condition," said cardiologist Richard Morrissey, who oversaw a treadmill test that found Clinton able to reach a maximum heart rate of 90 percent, considered excellent for a man his age.
But since Clinton's last physical in October 1997, he has gained 18 pounds, up to 214, still in the normal range for his age. Doctors told the president he should watch his diet and exercise more.
"He would be much happier if he lost about 10 pounds ," said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, who added that some of the weight was due to an increased regimen of weightlifting that has added muscle to his 6-foot 2-inch frame.
Clinton has been hoarse for about two weeks, ever since his 20-hour flight from Washington to New Zealand for an Asia-Pacific summit. Talking has only made it worse, and the president has been unable for the most part to cut back on his extensive schedule of speechmaking.
Clinton's long-time ear, nose and throat doctor from Arkansas, James Suen, said Clinton's throat problem was a result of "talking too much," plus the reflux of stomach acid bubbling up to his throat.
"The problem is that unless he rests his voice, that edema (irritation) won't go out and he will have to cut back on a lot of the unnecessary talking such as yelling at the ballgames," Suen said. "I told him not to yell. But he really has to cut back on his talking as well as his speeches."
Physicians noted swelling of the vocal cords consistent with chronic irritation by examining the throat with a small fiber optic endoscope without sedation. Clinton tolerated the procedure well, they said.
Lockhart said it would be hard getting the loquacious president to clam up given his speech commitments.
"But I think the president is concerned about the hoarseness and his ability to make the fine speeches he makes around the country so I think we're going to do our best to make sure we get him the rest he needs," he said.
Clinton's cholesterol was slightly elevated from his 1997 exam, at 196, but still in the normal range.
Because of the hoarseness, his allergist, Talal Nsouli, said he modified Clinton's allergy treatment away from antihistamines so the president's throat does not get so dry.
Clinton's hearing problem, which led to use of a hearing aid after his last exam, was unchanged from before.