WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S health secretary Alex Azar is recovering from a painful intestinal condition and will be reducing some work activities for the time being, a Health and Human Services official said Tuesday.
Azar, who was hospitalized briefly over the weekend, has been diagnosed with diverticulitis, the official said.
That’s an inflammation or infection of small pouches that bulge outward through the colon. Such pouches — called diverticula — are common among older adults. They often don’t produce any symptoms unless they become inflamed or infected. Azar is 50.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity, saying HHS is trying to balance a private medical matter with the public’s right to know.
Azar has been working from home and participating in meetings by phone, but he’s scaling back public appearances for now. He won’t attend a Senate budget hearing scheduled for Thursday.
It’s Azar’s first bout of diverticulitis, said the official. Treatment can include antibiotics, pain relievers, and a change in diet.
Azar is a former pharmaceutical company and government executive, who was tapped by President Donald Trump as his second health secretary and charged with devising a strategy to reduce prescription drug costs.
Separately, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was also hospitalized because of diverticulitis over the weekend. McCain’s case required surgery. The senator has been undergoing treatment for brain cancer.
Aren’t we all.
This is the bowel obstruction they removed…
yeah…
I can’t see how it could be more metaphorical …
The Health Sec. … finding things hard to stomach ----
I was tempted to feel schadenfreude, just because, although I know nothing about him, I assume he’s a terrible person since Trump appointed him.
But then I realized when you’re my age, Instant Karma’s toolbox is bigger than the Snap On truck.
The most prevalent intestinal condition in the Drumpf cabinet is a lack of guts, except in the area of lining their own pockets.