Celebrities Living With Autoimmune Disease

Several celebrities and other famous people have been open about their experiences with autoimmune diseases, raising awareness and providing support to others facing similar challenges.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

What is lupus?

Lupus, sometimes known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs. This attack can cause inflammation throughout the entire body, leading to a wide range of symptoms and potential complications including organ failure. 

While the exact cause of lupus is not fully understood, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors. Some triggers that may contribute to the exacerbation of lupus flares include sunlight, certain medications, infections and hormonal changes.

Lupus can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain and blood cells. The symptoms of lupus can vary widely from person to person and may come and go over time. Common symptoms of lupus include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain and swelling
• Skin rashes, particularly a malar, or "butterfly", rash across the cheeks and nose
• Fever
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Cognitive dysfunction commonly referred to as "brain fog"
• Raynaud's phenomenon 
• Mouth or nose ulcers

Some celebrities with lupus include: 

Selena Gomez: The singer and actress has been open about her battle with lupus, undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017 due to complications from the disease.

Toni Braxton: The singer and actress has been open about her struggles with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and tissues.

Shannon Boxx: The retired professional soccer player, who represented the United States in multiple FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, has lupus and has been open about her struggles with the disease, particularly during her athletic career.

Other celebrities with lupus include: Seal (Discoid Lupus (DLE)), Nick Cannon (Systemic Lupus) and Kristen Johnston (Lupus myelitis, a rare form of lupus affecting the spinal cord). 

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the skin. It causes the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to the formation of thick, red and scaly patches on the skin's surface. These patches, known as plaques, can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.

The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. In psoriasis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to grow and multiply at an accelerated rate. This rapid turnover of skin cells leads to the characteristic thickening and scaling of the skin seen in psoriasis.

Psoriasis can vary widely in severity, with some individuals experiencing only mild symptoms and others experiencing more severe and widespread symptoms. Common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales (plaques)
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Soreness or burning sensations in affected areas
• Thickened, pitted, or ridged nails
• Swollen and stiff joints (psoriatic arthritis), in some cases

Some famous people with psoriasis include:

Cyndi Lauper: The singer-songwriter has psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin.

Phil Mickelson: The professional golfer has psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis that often accompanies psoriasis. He has spoken about how the condition has affected his golf career and his approach to managing his health.

Other celebrities with psoriasis include: LeAnn Rimes, Kim Kardashian, Lance Bass & Cara Delevingne.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers (called myelin), as well as the nerve fibers themselves, leading to inflammation, damage and scarring (sclerosis). This damage disrupts the flow of electrical impulses along the nerves, causing a wide range of symptoms.

The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not known, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental and immune system factors. Factors such as genetics, viral infections, vitamin D deficiency and smoking have been implicated in the development and severity of MS flares.

MS can cause a variety of symptoms, which can vary widely from person to person and may come and go over time. Common symptoms of MS include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness or stiffness
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Blurred or double vision
• Problems with coordination and dexterity
• Electric shock sensations with certain neck movements (Lhermitte's sign)
• Cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems or difficulty concentrating
• Bowel and bladder dysfunction
• Emotional changes, such as depression or mood swings

Montel Williams: The former talk show host has multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. He has been an advocate for MS awareness and research.

Jack Osbourne: The television personality and son of Ozzy Osbourne was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012. He has been involved in MS advocacy efforts and has spoken about his journey with the disease, including his experiences with treatments and lifestyle changes.

Other celebrities with MS include: Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair and Art Alexakis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract. The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). While both conditions share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in terms of their symptoms, location within the digestive tract and patterns of inflammation.

Crohn's disease: Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, although it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (colon). In Crohn's disease, inflammation can occur in patches throughout the digestive tract and can extend through the entire thickness of the intestinal wall.

Symptoms of Crohn's disease may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Complications of Crohn's disease may include strictures (narrowing of the intestine), fistulas (abnormal connections between different parts of the intestine or between the intestine and other organs), abscesses, and complications outside the digestive tract, such as arthritis or skin problems.

Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum. In ulcerative colitis, inflammation typically begins in the rectum and may extend continuously along the colon in a continuous pattern.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency to have bowel movements and weight loss. Complications of ulcerative colitis may include severe bleeding, perforation of the colon, toxic megacolon (severe dilation of the colon) and an increased risk of colon cancer.

Celebrities with IBD include: 

Shannen Doherty: The actress has been living with Crohn's disease, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.

Pete Davidson: The comedian and "Saturday Night Live" cast member has Crohn's disease. He has been open about his struggles with the condition and has used his platform to raise awareness.

Mike McCready: The guitarist for the rock band Pearl Jam has ulcerative colitis. He has been open about his struggles with the condition and has spoken about how it has impacted his life and career.

Missy Elliott: The rapper and producer has Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.

Gigi Hadid: The model has Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that leads to an underactive thyroid.

Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga has spoken about her struggles with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that can be accompanied by fatigue and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is a common co-morbidity for many autoimmune diseases. 

Morgan Freeman: The acclaimed actor has spoken about his experiences living with fibromyalgia. He has discussed how the condition has affected his daily life and career.

Other celebrities with fibromyalgia include: Kyle Richards, Sinead O'Connor, Gina Rodriguez, Janeane Garofalo, Paula Abdul

Michael J. Fox: The actor and advocate has Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and can be considered an autoimmune condition.

These celebrities have used their platforms to raise awareness, advocate for research, and provide support to others living with autoimmune diseases. Their openness about their health challenges has helped reduce stigma and foster a greater understanding of autoimmune conditions.