Celebridades que viven con enfermedades crónicas

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox habló sobre su enfermedad de Parkinson (que afecta las células nerviosas del cerebro y afecta la función muscular y el habla) en 1998.

Le llevó siete años después de ser diagnosticado hacerlo público, pero no se arrepiente. Desde entonces ha estado en una cruzada para ayudar a encontrar una cura.

Selma Blair

Selma Blair compartió por primera vez su diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple (EM) , una afección que afecta el cerebro y el sistema nervioso central, en Instagram en octubre de 2018.

Aparentemente, se había sentido “mal” durante años, pero lo atribuyó a un nervio pinzado. Ahora camina con un bastón, pero sigue siendo sincera sobre su lucha contra la enfermedad en las redes sociales.

Frankie Muñiz

Frankie Muniz tiene un largo historial de conmociones cerebrales, tanto desde la niñez como desde su carrera automovilística. Los médicos creen que esto ha provocado más de 15 ataques isquémicos transitorios , que son básicamente "mini accidentes cerebrovasculares".

Como resultado, tiene pérdida de memoria, particularmente de su Malcolm en los días intermedios.

Muñiz ha aceptado su pérdida de memoria y su enfermedad crónica, y afirma que eso no le impide seguir adelante en la vida.

Wendy Williams

Wendy Williams compartió su diagnóstico de enfermedad de Graves , una forma de hipertiroidismo, en 2018 en su programa de entrevistas. Al parecer, durante algún tiempo pensó que se trataba de la menopausia.

Su condición le hace sufrir confusión mental, ciclos menstruales irregulares, espasmos oculares y más.

Carrie Ann Inaba

Carrie Ann Inaba habló sobre su diagnóstico de síndrome de Sjogren durante una entrevista con la revista People . El síndrome de Sjogren es una enfermedad autoinmune que causa sequedad en los ojos, boca seca, dolor en las articulaciones, fatiga y otros síntomas.

También ha compartido sus experiencias con la fibromialgia y planea permanecer abierta sobre sus “enfermedades invisibles” para crear conciencia.

gina rodriguez

A Gina Rodríguez le diagnosticaron a los 26 años la enfermedad de Hashimoto , la causa más común de hipotiroidismo.

Al parecer lo padece desde hace varios años y lo controla con medicamentos y cambios en el estilo de vida.

gabriela unión

A Gabrielle Union le diagnosticaron adenomiosis , una enfermedad crónica que hace que el tejido endometrial crezca hacia la pared uterina. Lamentablemente, como resultado, ha sufrido innumerables abortos espontáneos.

Union trabaja activamente para crear conciencia y ayudar a otros que están "sufriendo en silencio".

Yolanda Hadid

Yolanda Hadid, la estrella de Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, ha luchado contrala enfermedad de Lyme desde 2012. Al parecer contrajo la enfermedad a través de picaduras de garrapatas.

Hadid escribió en un blog que ha perdido la capacidad de leer, escribir e incluso mirar televisión porque no puede procesar información ni estimulación.

Aunque experimenta con nuevas formas de limitar los síntomas, dice que la recuperación es un camino largo y sinuoso de pequeñas victorias”.

Daniel Reynolds

Hace ocho años, el cantante principal de Imagine Dragons sintió por primera vez un dolor de espalda "debilitante" que duró bastante tiempo.

Finalmente le diagnosticaron espondilitis anquilosante (EA) , una enfermedad crónica que provoca inflamación de las articulaciones. Dos de sus hermanos también tienen AS.

Ahora aboga por crear conciencia a través de un programa de entrevistas en la web.

Sara Hyland

Sarah Hyland tiene displasia renal , que ocurre cuando las estructuras internas de los riñones del feto se desarrollan de manera anormal en el útero.

Hyland recibió un trasplante de riñón en 2012 y un segundo trasplante en 2017 después de que su cuerpo rechazara el primero.

Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham ha luchado durante años contra la endometriosis , una afección dolorosa que hace que el tejido se salga del útero. En 2018 se sometió a una histerectomía total en un intento de aliviar los síntomas.

Tuvo un camino difícil hasta llegar al diagnóstico y apoya a otras mujeres que sufren la misma lucha dolorosa.

Selena Gómez

En 2015, Selena Gomez reveló que tiene lupus , una enfermedad inflamatoria que hace que el sistema inmunológico ataque sus propios tejidos.

En su caso, el lupus dañó sus riñones, lo que la llevó a un trasplante de riñón en 2017, que fue donado por su mejor amiga.

Ella le da crédito a su mejor amiga por darle el "mejor regalo de la vida" y dice que le está yendo "bastante bien ahora".

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas se encuentra entre los 1,25 millones de estadounidenses que viven con diabetes tipo 1 . Le diagnosticaron cuando tenía sólo 13 años.

Jonas dijo que le preocupaba que esto detuviera su carrera, ya que le diagnosticaron justo cuando comenzaba en la industria. Afortunadamente, lo maneja bien.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga reveló en 2017 que tiene fibromialgia , que causa dolor muscular generalizado, junto con fatiga y problemas con el sueño y la memoria.

Su condición le ha provocado “dolor severo” y cancelaciones de giras muchas veces durante su carrera musical.

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid, la hija de Yolanda Hadid, sufre la enfermedad de Lyme crónica , al igual que su madre.

“Todo comienza con confusión mental; durante un tiempo no pude articular frases”, dijo sobre su lucha en 2016.

Su enfermedad a menudo la deja exhausta hasta el punto de tener que reprogramar campañas.

pequeño Wayne

En 2013, Lil Wayne reveló que tiene epilepsia , un trastorno neurológico caracterizado por convulsiones.

El rapero ha dicho a los entrevistadores que ha tenido innumerables convulsiones a lo largo de su vida, incluida una serie de tres episodios consecutivos que fueron tan graves que su frecuencia cardíaca cayó al 30% de su actividad normal, lo que casi provocó la muerte.

Lil Wayne’s battle with epilepsy is serious and may be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, and consumption of alcohol.

Kim Kardashian West

Kim Kardashian West has come forward about her battle with Psoriasis—an autoimmune skin condition that she has had for years.

In 2017, she told People Magazine that she had started light therapy, and that it was actually working quite well to reduce her symptoms.

Daisy Ridley

The Star Wars actress first spoke out about her struggles with Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) back in 2016. Both of which are hormone related conditions that cause pain, infertility, irregular cycles, excessive hair growth, acne, and weight gain.

She had been diagnosed at age 15, and now advocates for women who also suffer from the same thing.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid, another daughter of Yolanda Hadid, also suffers from a chronic illness like her mother and sister. However, Gigi has Hashimoto’s Disease—an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid hormone.

Her condition went undiagnosed during the beginning of her modelling career, which she says set her back a bit due to her weight struggles.

Venus Williams

In 2011, Venus Williams opened up about her struggle with Sjogren’s Syndrome—an autoimmune disease that causes dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.

Williams struggles a lot with fatigue, saying most days she has some level of tiredness, and sometimes she feels so sick she cannot get out of bed.

Sasha Pieterse

Sasha Pieterse was only recently diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)—a hormone imbalance that often causes severe pain.

She said she had various symptoms for quite some time before figuring out what was wrong.

Winnie Harlow

Model, Winnie Harlow, spoke up in 2018 about her Vitiligo—which causes loss of skin color in large blotches.

Harlow wants the public to know that she is not a “vitiligo sufferer,” nor is she a “vitiligo model”: “I am a model, and I happen to have Vitiligo. Stop putting these titles on me or anyone else. I am not suffering! If anything, I am succeeding at showing people that their differenced done make them who they are!”

Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2001. He has told interviewers that diabetes has a lot of hurdles to jump over, and that changing his lifestyle and taking it seriously are the most important ways to manage the disease.

Shania Twain

In 2003, Shania Twain was bitten by a tick while she was horseback riding. Unfortunately, she contracted Lyme Disease as a result, and for some time she was very worried she would never sing again.

Although she found a way to persevere, it has been confirmed that her voice changed as a result of the disease.

Halsey

Halsey has Endometriosis—the condition where tissue grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain in the pelvic region.

Halsey says her diagnosis was a relief as it meant she “was not crazy,” and was not “being a baby,” when it came to suffering through the symptoms.

Magic Johnson

NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson has HIV. The retired basketball player has been living with the disease for over 25 years. At the time of diagnosis, he was recently married with a pregnant wife.

Johnson has said that he likely contracted the disease through intimate contact with someone else, and he only found out about it through a routine physical.

Even so, Johnson has remained well, and has been managing his disease through medication and lifestyle changes.

Halle Berry

Back in 1989, Halle Berry was filming the television series, Living Dolls, when she lapsed into a diabetic coma.

Shortly afterward, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes—at the age of 22.

Missy Elliott

In 2011, Missy Elliott revealed that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ Disease—an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid, causing hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

A few years prior, she had nearly wrecked her car while experiencing tremors, which is what led to testing and a diagnosis.

She has been doing well since then.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon has Lupus—an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your own organs and tissues.

Cannon’s journey with Lupus has included blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and various hospitalizations.

He now advocates for others with the condition, calling himself a “lupus warrior,” and reminding others that “health is the real wealth.”

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman has Fibromyalgia—a chronic disorder causing pain, stiffness, fatigue and depression.

In an interview with Esquire in 2012, he mentioned that his pain is “excruciating,” particularly up and down his arm.

He believes it originated from a near-fatal car crash in 2008 that resulted in paralysis in his left hand.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana had mentioned in an interview that she has Hashimoto’s Thydoiditis—an autoimmune disease.

Both her mother and sister are also affected by this condition. As a result of the condition, she experiences fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and calcium deficiencies, and more.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

At age 20, Jamie-Lynn Sigler was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, called the myelin sheath.

It took the actress years to come to terms with her diagnosis, and didn’t always abide by her treatment plan or be honest with her doctors—which she now says may have caused her disease to progress quicker.

She now knows how important her support system is, and actively works to manage her disease.

Pink

Pink suffers from Asthma—a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing fits.

Pink says she trains for concerts by singing while on the treadmill, so she can manage her breathing while she sings and performs actively on stage.

George Clooney

George Clooney suffers from Chronic Pain—long standing pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period or occurs along with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Chronic pain may be "on" and "off" or continuous.

Clooney spoke in 2012 about an accident had led to his struggle with chronic pain. He says the biggest hurdle is psychological—he has to come to terms with knowing he will never feel “good” again, and that most days he will wake up feeling like he has “the worst hangover ever.”

Jack Osborne

Jack Osborne has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and his biggest symptom has been depression. He says his depression often “comes out of nowhere” and really knocks him down.

While he does experience a slew of other symptoms, he says the mental and psychological side of it all is the worst part.

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi has Endometriosis—a painful condition that causes tissue to outside the uterus.

Lakshmi had apparently had symptoms for decades, but didn’t realize she was any different than other girls. That is, until she was 36 years old and suffered from a medical event that led to surgery.

Lakshmi has since co-founded EndoFound (The Endometriosis Foundation of America) which strives to increase recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate surgical training, and fund research.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks had battled high blood sugar numbers for quite some time, until one day his doctor revealed that he “graduated to Type 2 Diabetes.”

Hanks admits his diagnosis was expected and likely from his unhealthy eating patterns. He had been warned by his doctor that he was “pre-diabetic” for years, but ignored the red flags.

He has since changed his lifestyle to manage the disease.

Christy Turlington

Former supermodel Christy Turlington discovered she had Emphysema only after being screened for the disease after the passing of her father. Though she was no longer a smoker at the time, the damage to her lungs was irreversible.

Emphysema is a kind of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that causes shortness of breath at physical exertion, a chronic cough, increased mucous, wheezing and fatigue.

Melanie Griffith

Melanie Griffith was diagnosed with Epilepsy after a scary incident on a boat, where she experienced a grand mal seizure and was taken to hospital. After returning back to the boat, she had another seizure which landed her back in the ER.

Her seizures are mostly triggered by severe stress. She managed her condition with medication, but had finally become seizure-free after divorcing her husband of 18 years—Antonio Banderas—which she claims was “the real healer.”

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey has Bipolar Disorder—a mental health condition characterized by intense mood swings.

Carey lived with her disorder behind closed doors for many years as she was afraid of what people would think of her.

Eventually, she got the courage to seek help, and was able to get back to the life she loved—writing songs and making music.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty struggles with Crohn's Disease— a chronic inflammatory condition that causes persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramping and other digestive problems.

"There's nothing sexy about women saying: 'I've got to go to the bathroom right now,'" Doherty reportedly told interviewers. Although she takes medication to curb her symptoms, she says some days are just awful.

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams opened up about her battle with depression on Mental Health Awareness Day in 2018.

She wrote a memoir about it, called “Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life — and Can Save Yours,” where she opens up about thoughts of ending her own life, struggles with friends and family, and lessons she’s learned about prioritizing her mental health.

Bruce Willis

In 2023, Bruce William publicly shared his frontotemporal dementia (FTD)diagnosis—which overtime disrupts a person’s ability to think, care for themselves, and live independently.

In 2022, he made his official departure from Hollywood as he was experiencing a disorder called aphasia—which is a symptom of FTD.

Although his health is deteriorating, Willis is “continuing to do well,” according to a recent update in May 2024 from his daughter Rumer.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 22, after suffering for years with addiction and eating disorders.

Since finally receiving treatment, Lovato has become an advocate for “Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health.”

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps reveló que después de los Juegos Olímpicos caería en una profunda depresión , que a menudo le llevaba a pensar seriamente en acabar con su propia vida.

Todo comenzó en 2004, cuando fue fotografiado con parafernalia de sustancias y fue detenido por conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol. Esto luego le llevó a automedicarse.

Desde que buscó tratamiento, Phelps abrió la Fundación Michael Phelps y ahora trabaja para brindar programas de manejo del estrés a los niños.

Gregg Allman

En 1999, a Rocker, Gregg Allman le diagnosticaron hepatitis C , una afección "silenciosa" que deteriora lentamente el hígado y, eventualmente, puede provocar cirrosis o cicatrización del hígado.

Cree que contrajo la enfermedad mientras se hacía un tatuaje cuando tenía 20 años. Fueron necesarios años de fatiga crónica antes de que finalmente le diagnosticaran.

Se sometió a un trasplante de hígado en 2010 después de que la terapia con medicamentos no logró frenar la progresión de la enfermedad. Sin embargo, se recuperó del trasplante y desde entonces se convirtió en portavoz de Tune into Hep C, una organización para crear conciencia sobre la hepatitis C crónica, que actualmente afecta a 3,2 millones de estadounidenses.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande habló en 2018 sobre su lucha contra el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) después del ataque terrorista que tuvo lugar en su concierto en Manchester en 2017. El ataque provocó la muerte de 22 personas y más de 100 personas gravemente heridas, incluidos niños. .

Según los informes, Grande dijo: "Ese fue uno de los mejores años de mi carrera, pero el peor año de mi vida".

tia mowry

A Tia Mowry le diagnosticaron endometriosis cuando tenía veintitantos años, después de años de luchar contra el dolor, pero sus médicos la diagnosticaron erróneamente, lo cual es muy común en esta afección.

Mowry habló sobre sentirse tan sola durante muchos años mientras nadie creía la magnitud de su dolor.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones ha sido diagnosticada con Trastorno Bipolar II , que se clasifica por períodos bajos más prolongados. Se dice que sus episodios son provocados por el estrés, que solo llegó a su punto máximo cuando su esposo, Michael Douglas, estaba luchando contra un cáncer de garganta en etapa IV.

En 2011, Zeta-Jones ingresó en un centro de salud mental y desde entonces ha estado buscando ayuda activamente y con regularidad.