Celine Dion’s rare neurological disorder: 5 things to know about the ailment {2022}
A cult Grammy Award winner Celine Dion on Thursday , broke the news concerning her special neurological disorder - Stiff Person Syndrome. Find out more about the details of this.
To the astonishment of many people's dismay, the popular Canadian singer and Grammy Award winner Celine Dion on Thursday, took to Instagram and told her followers and friends that she was being treated for a neurologic condition called Stiff Person Syndrome. Due to this, the 54-year old singer spoke out her struggles with singing and walking, noting that she would be not able to perform scheduled performances on her home country of the UK and Europe in the coming year.
1. How old is Celine Dion and where is she from?
Celine Marie Claudette Dion was born on March 30, 1968, in Quebec, Canada. She celebrated her 54th birthday in 2022.
The youngest of 14 children, Celine joined her parents Adhemar and Therese Dion on the road when she was a baby.
They formed a singing group called Dion's Family and toured Canada with the children and would later open a piano bar where Celine impressed customers with her singing voice when she was just at 5-years-old.
2. Does Celine Dion have a partner and children?
Following Celine dion's late husband Rene Angelil died in 2016, Celine has been linked to the backing dancer Pepe Munoz.
Celine along with Rene have been married for over 22 years following the wedding ceremony in 1994 until the time of his passing. They had three children.
Nine-year-old twins Eddy Angelil & Nelson Angelil.
in 2020. Celine was rumored to be with 34-year-old Pepe Munoz, however it has not been confirmed by Celine herself.
3. What is Celine Dion's net worth?
Celine Dion is among the most successful artists throughout history.
The actress's wealth is reported to be $800 million, and according to Forbes she earned $37.5 million during 2019 ..
A staggering half of her money was earned in Las Vegas alone. Since the beginning to the A New Day show, Celine has made around $400 million from performing around 70 shows per year.
Celine has sold more than 220 million albums in her 30 year career. She also serves as the spokesperson of L'Oreal.
4. What exactly is Stiff Person Syndrome all about?
Based on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke the most prestigious institution within the USA, "Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurologic disorder that is progressive. The symptoms can include tight muscles that affect the trunk (torso) and arms and legs, as well as greater sensitization to touch, noise and emotional stress and trigger muscles spasms."
"Over time, those with SPS can develop abnormal postures, which are often hunched over. Certain people might be too impaired to move or walk. A lot of people fall often because they lack the reflexes that are normally required to catch themselves. This could lead to serious injuries. SPS sufferers may be scared to leave their home due to sounds from the street, like the sound of the car's horn, could cause spasms or fall," the US-based institute stated.
5. Is it possible to treat Stiff Person Syndrome be treated?
According to the research from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "Several symptoms improve when you take diazepam orally (an anxiety-reducing drug as well as a relaxant) or with medications which ease muscle spasms like gabapentin or baclofen."
"A study sponsored by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) demonstrated an intravenous immuneglobulin (IVIg) treatment works in reducing stiffness and sensitization to noise, touch and stress, as well as improving gait and balance in patients with SPS. IVIg is a source of immunoglobulins (natural antibodies made in the body's immune system) made from healthy donor," it reads. There isn't a treatment for this disorder at present.
6. What is the best way to identify this disorder?
A definitive diagnosis is made by a blood test that determines the amount of glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibody levels. A majority of patients with SPS are diagnosed with high (higher) concentrations of GAD antibodies. Antibody titers play a significant role in to diagnose SPS as the official data from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has stated.
7. What are the people who suffer from stiff-person syndrome?
The condition affects approximately one-fifth of million people and most neurologists encounter just the one or two cases they encounter in their lives, according to the Dr. Emile Sami Moukheiber of the Stiff Person Syndrome Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, as reported by CNN.
"The first instance that was stiff person syndrome documented in the 1950s, as per Newsome the doctor, and the condition was formerly known as'stiff-man syndrome'. Since then, it's been discovered to affect two times more females than males and the term was changed to stiff-person syndrome in order to avoid confusion." the doctor explained.
8. What are the causes of stiff-person syndrome?
"Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is believed to be a manifestation of an autoimmune condition," according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. While the causes of the illness are still unknown, "people with SPS have an elevated level of GAD an antibody that is able to fight an enzyme that is involved in the production of a key neurotransmitter within the brain." The US's premier institute says.
Due to the rare nature of the disease as well as the lack of clarity of its symptoms are more likely to seek medical attention for chronic pain prior to seek treatment for neurological issues according to the research findings of the institute said.
Meanwhile, the singer Celine Dion is hoping to return stronger than she was before.