John F Kennedy, who became the youngest man elected President of the United States in part because he portrayed himself as vigorous, was actually much more ill than he ever disclosed.
Kennedy was in pain throughout his presidency, and had so many various health problems that he was taking as many as eight medications a day.
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Kennedy's back problems were well known, but newly revealed medical records reveal a much more extensive list of illnesses.
Range of illnesses Kennedy handlers allowed a historian, Robert Dallek, and a physician, Jeffrey Kelman, to look at previously undisclosed X-rays and medical records.
Dallek, who is working on a biography of the 35th President, and Kelman have written an article on JFK appearing in the December issue of The Atlantic magazine.
In addition to his back woes and a potentially fatal lack of adrenal function called Addison's disease, JFK also suffered from colitis, persistent infections, depression, food allergies, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and sleeplessness.
The authors said he had spinal fractures and metal screws in his vertebrae even though his autopsy report found "no significant gross skeletal abnormalities" other than the bullet wounds he received.
Kennedy was never unable to do his job despite all the pain, illness, and medication, Dallek said. Moreover, he never complained. – (HealthScout News)
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