Chronic Illnesses Cannot Stop THESE Celebrities – Part I

They are rich, beautiful and famous, but celebrities are human too, and prone to be sick like all of us. Some celebs live with chronic health conditions that hamper their daily lives. Some celebrities with chronic ailments and how they manage them are given below:

Selena Gomez: Lupus

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Selena Gomez cancelled her 2013 tour when diagnosed with lupus, had treatment, with a break from the public eye. The chronic autoimmune disease is more common in women of child-bearing age than in men, with the body attacking its own cells as if they were harmful invaders. Symptoms range from mouth ulcers, kidney problems, skin rashes, and inflammation of various organs. There is no cure for lupus, but cortico-steroids / monoclonal antibodies help people manage symptoms and those seriously affected, use cancer-treatment drugs. Celebs Lady Gaga, Toni Braxton, Nick Cannon, and Seal, also have lupus.

Lena Dunham: Endometriosis

Writer and actress Lena Dunham since puberty, suffered from abdominal pain, irregular periods, and chronic exhaustion. Once diagnosed in 2005 with endometriosis , which occurs when the cells from the uterus lining are displaced and develop in other areas of the body, leading to irregular bleeding and pain, and cause problems when women try to get pregnant. Medicines help manage pain and slow disease progression while surgery removes endometrial cell growths in the body, according to experts. Other celebrities with endometriosis are Susan Sarandon, Jillian Michaels, and Padma Lakshmi.

Charlie Sheen: HIV

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Actor Charlie Sheen admitted that he is HIV positive in 2015, but his diagnosis was in 2011. Human Immunodeficiency Virus is no longer a death sentence. Experts estimate that 1.2 million Americans live with HIV which destroys one type of immune system cells, called T cells, which hinders affected people from fighting infections. When HIV wipes out most T cells, persons acquire immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Medicines known as anti-retroviral therapy help slow HIV progression and also protects the body’s immune systems. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (a daily pill), is effective in preventing infections in people at high risk of contracting HIV.

Tom Hanks: Type II Diabetes

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Actor Tom Hanks confirmed in 2013 that he has diabetes after dealing with unregulated blood sugar levels for decades when his medical doctor confirmed that he had diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels but not terribly high is known as “pre-diabetes”. Persons with diabetes cannot control blood sugar levels. Diabetes increases risk of heart diseases and other problems like blindness, nerve damage and kidney failure. Experts confirm 50% American adults have diabetes / pre-diabetes. Type-2 diabetes is managed with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Celebrity chef Paula Deen and actress Halle Berry are both diabetic.

Kim Kardashian: Psoriasis

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Finding flaky, red skin patches on her legs in 2011, the TV star was diagnosed with psoriasis as was Kris Jenner, her mother. Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder with immunity systems attacking  own cells rather than germs and viruses. Raised patches that become red and thick, flaky scales appear on the skin. About 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. This disorder ranges from mild skin rash to debilitating conditions, flaring up for weeks or months, and subsides periodically.  Psoriasis is a skin condition, but psoriasis inflammation impacts heart health. Experts blame drinking alcohol, smoking, high stress-levels, and certain medications, for triggering flare-ups. Psoriasis is treatable, but without any cure.