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| China-Japan-Koreas | |
| How Sick Is Kim Jong-il? | |
| 2010-10-19 | |
A dark spot on his right cheek appears to be getting larger. It is being variously attributed to kidney problems or old age. Kim suffers from diabetes and his kidneys are believed to have been damaged as a result. If toxic compounds in the body are not released due to kidney problems, they build up underneath the skin, and if those areas are exposed to ultraviolet rays, the pigment darkens. Kim Hyoung-kyu, a kidney expert at Korea University Medical Center, said, "He shows signs of chronic kidney failure. In that case, a person's life is in danger as more than half the kidneys lose their function even after dialysis unless the person has a transplant within five years." Kim's stroke seems to have occurred in the right side of his brain, which affects the left side of his body. Typically, if nerve functions do not improve a year after a stroke, they remain damaged for life. His left shoulder appeared slumped as the muscles supporting it have grown weak. As a result, Kim cannot lift his left arm very high and cannot fold it inward. He can turn his head to the right, but hardly turns it to the left. This is believed to be due to rigidity in his neck muscles. He drags his left foot when walking as well. His face appeared grim throughout the parade. His lips were stiff and his face expressionless. Brain damage due to stroke often causes depression and experts say his expression is indicative of that condition. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #7 Perhaps he's sick enough that transplant surgery is too risky. |
| Posted by: Pstanley 2010-10-19 21:44 |
| #6 "How Sick Is Kim Jong-il?" Physically or mentally? |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2010-10-19 19:09 |
| #5 If he needs one, Kimmie will FIFY - now we know why Fredo is keeping his distance. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2010-10-19 08:54 |
| #4 Heh. Five years. If he needs one, Kimmie will find a donor in about five minutes tu3031 is right and as well as that he has many brothers and sisters who could be compatible donors. |
| Posted by: Bernardz 2010-10-19 08:53 |
| #3 In that case, a person's life is in danger as more than half the kidneys lose their function even after dialysis unless the person has a transplant within five years. Heh. Five years. If he needs one, Kimmie will find a donor in about five minutes. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2010-10-19 08:23 |
| #2 How Sick Is Kim Jong-il? He's so sick that germs are afraid of him. |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-10-19 00:44 |
| #1 Doncha love Kremlinology? And I thought it was a dead art. |
| Posted by: gromky 2010-10-19 00:08 |