Odd marks on Joe Biden’s face shocked reporters: What they are

Joe Biden: The marks were from the mask that he was using which helps him breathe at night, White House said.

When Joe Biden came out in public on Wednesday, odd marks that were seen on his face shocked many reporters prompting a reply from the White House which said that the US president has sleep apnea and is using a medical machine for the same. The marks were from the mask that he was using which helps him breathe at night.

US president Joe Biden speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP)

Joe Biden has been using a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) that gently pumps air into a mask over the mouth and nose during sleep, holding the airways open for the sleep apnea- a disorder that cause a person to stop breathing while asleep, White House informed.

Sleep apnea prevents restful and healthy sleep and the condition can cause serious complications. But it is often very manageable, especially with close adherence to prescribed treatments. The symptoms include seizures in which one temporarily stops breathing during sleep, gasping for air during sleep, snoring, and daytime fatigue due to lack of sleep. It can also result in poor memory and lack of concentration.

Since when does Joe Biden have sleep apnea?

Joe Biden disclosed about him having sleep apnea in 2008 but is using a machine now, White House officials said. The lines on his face were apparent when the US president delivered a speech in Chicago.

As per the American Medical Association, approximately 30 million people in the US may have sleep apnea, though only about 6 million are diagnosed with it.