Doctors keeping an eye on pope
Key points
- Pope John Paul II's doctors were on guard for complications Wednesday, a day after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalized with the flu and breathing trouble.
- Pneumonia remained a potentially lethal threat, but the Vatican said there was "no cause for alarm."
- The pope will remain hospitalized for a few more days as a precaution, the Vatican said.
- A spokesman said the pope's inability to hold his back straight, a consequence of his Parkinson's disease and other ailments, has compressed his lungs and diaphragm.
Pope John Paul II's doctors were on guard for complications Wednesday, a day after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalized with the flu and breathing trouble.
Pneumonia remained a potentially lethal threat, but the Vatican said there was "no cause for alarm."
The pope will remain hospitalized for a few more days as a precaution, the Vatican said.
A spokesman said the pope's inability to hold his back straight, a consequence of his Parkinson's disease and other ailments, has compressed his lungs and diaphragm.
Tests showed the pope's heart and breathing to be normal.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.