CELINE Dion has revealed she’s been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome – a condition which means her muscles tense uncontrollably.
In a tearful Instagram video, Celine, 54, told her followers why she had to cancel her upcoming European tour as she comes to terms with the extremely rare neurological disorder.
There is currently no cure for the condition, which can leave sufferers as 'human statues', sometimes unable to walk or talk.
Only about one out of every one million people have been diagnosed this syndrome, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Canadian superstar Celine told her fans she is trying to do what she can to minimise the symptoms.
She said: "As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.
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“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it's been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects one in a million people.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.”
Stiff person syndrome or SPS is a condition caused by persistent spasms.
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This usually involves multiple muscles, primarily the lower limbs, experts at University College London say.
Most people who develop the illness will receive a diagnosis from the ages of 40-60-years-old.
It’s a neurological disease with features of autoimmune conditions.
The first 4 signs include:
- intermittent spasms which then become continuous.
- Minor sensory stimuli (being more sensitive to noise, light and touch)
- Severe spasms
- Impaired breathing (in advanced cases).
The experts said that spasms don’t usually occur during your sleep.
How is it treated?
In most cases people with SPS respond to high doses of diazepam, which is often used as anti anxiety medication.
Pain relievers will also improve the symptoms but these will not cure the disorder.
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Many people with SPS will experience falls because they lack defensive reflexes, experts at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke added.
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