LUPUS - an incurable autoimmune disease - has plagued the lives of a number of celebrities including Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga.
Although the illness often affects women, Nick Cannon fans want to know more about his particular struggles with lupus.
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Does Nick Cannon have lupus?
Nick Cannon was diagnosed with lupus in 2012.
Since then, the 42-year-old TV host, actor, rapper, and comedian has had to make significant lifestyle changes such as consulting doctors, undergoing changes in his diet, and preparing himself mentally, as well as physically, for the disease.
Nevertheless, the America's Got Talent host admitted back in December 2022 that he isn't "superman," no matter how hard he tried to keep himself healthy.
“I promised myself I would never be back at this place again…" he wrote on Instagram after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
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"But this is a great lesson to take care of YOU or YOU won’t be able to take care of everyone else.”
He added: “Don’t trip though, I don’t need any well wishes or prayers, just some solid rest and I will be back on the journey to becoming stronger than ever.”
What Nick Cannon said about his condition?
January 2022 marked 10 years since Cannon was first diagnosed with lupus.
He chose to play a video documenting his health journey on The Nick Cannon Show and told audiences before playing the clips: "Ten years ago, I experienced a sudden and mysterious illness that almost took my life.
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"At the time, I had no idea it was lupus. And, you know me, I always have to have a camera on. So I would literally open up my phone, grab my camera and I would talk to the camera, and I documented the entire health journey."
In one of the voiceovers he is heard saying: "I have been diagnosed with lupus, and after a decade of close calls, blood transfusions, chemotherapy and hospitalizations, I continue to push through.
"Throughout this journey, I had to change everything about the way I live my life, and it wasn't easy."
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What is lupus?
Lupus is a "lifelong" disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs, causing pain and damage to the tissues.
Inflammation caused by lupus can affect any part of the body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs.
No two cases of the condition - which is more common in women - are the same.
Symptoms can strike suddenly or progress more slowly, they can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
Most people diagnosed with the disease suffer flare-ups when their symptoms get worse for a while before clearing up.
According to NHS, the three main symptoms of the illness include:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain and swelling
- Rashes on the wrists, hands and face, where it can appear like a butterfly covering the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic include:
- Fever
- Skin lesions that show up and can worsen after sun exposure
- Fingers or toes that turn white or blue in the cold
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes
- Headaches, confusion, and memory loss
If you notice you have an unexplained rash, persistent fever, aching joints, or fatigue, you should speak to a doctor.
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Those of African-Caribbean, Chinese, and Asian descent are more likely to develop lupus and often notice symptoms between the ages of 15 and 45.
Celebrities that are publically struggling with Lupus include Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Toni Braxton.
