Chronic health issues affect millions of people, and celebrities are no exception. Here are six stars who have opened up about their lives with chronic illness, and who share some tips about how they deal.
1. P!nk
Singer P!nk is known for her high-flying stunts and acrobatics routines during concerts, but she admits that singing can be difficult because she suffers from asthma. She has had the disease since she was two but has worked to overcome her respiratory issues.
2. Nick Jonas
When singer and actor Nick Jonas was thirteen, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Jonas, who was about to have a breakout success with The Jonas Brothers, was shocked by the news.
However, Jonas has learned how to cope with his condition. “I’m in the best health I’ve been in, and I’m feeling really good about it, not only about my own life with diabetes and having tools that I can manage it with but also about the message I have, which is try to be an encouragement,” he says.
3. Halsey
Singer Halsey has endometriosis, a condition which causes uterine tissue to grow outside of the uterus. This condition can cause extreme pain, especially during menstrual cycles.
Halsey opened up on Instagram about her struggle, writing, “for those of you who have followed this battle of mine or who may suffer with it yourself, you know the extremes to which it can be mentally exhausting and physically painful.”
4. Selena Gomez
In 2015, Selena Gomez revealed that she had been diagnosed with Lupus and had undergone chemotherapy for treatment. Even though she sought treatment, she revealed that she is still dealing with issues surrounding her condition, saying “I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks, and depression can be side effects of Lupus, which can present their own challenges.”
Still, Gomez is hoping that by being open about her struggles, she can inspire others. She says by revealing her condition, she has “hope that others will be encouraged to address their own issues.”
5. Avril Lavigne
Singer Avril Lavigne has been open about her battles with Lyme disease, a tick-bourne illness that can cause persistent fatigue and flu symptoms.
According to the singer, having Lyme disease feels “like having all the life sucked out of you.” The singer was so ill that she was bedridden for five months, and “thought [she] was dying,” because her symptoms were so severe.
6. Gina Rodriquez
Hashimoto’s disease is a condition that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, which can cause issues like weight gain, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Actress Gina Rodriquez has opened up about her own battle with this disease, saying “It’s always been a battle for me with weight. Keeping weight off is very difficult because my metabolism is pretty much shot, which to me felt like a curse when I was 19…”. However, she admits that she feels lucky to be able to represent women who struggle with this condition.
She has even found a way to help treat some of her symptoms through exercising, which she believes is good for her thyroid gland.
Chronic illnesses can affect anyone, and these celebrities are no exception. Although they have are all suffering from serious, and potentially life-threatening illnesses, it is inspiring how much hope and optimism they have about what they have and can still accomplish despite their diseases.