Singer Celine Dion has postponed her “Courage World Tour” dates till 2024 due to complications from stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological ailment that causes spasms and muscular stiffness, the celebrity said on Friday.
Dion delayed a few of her concerts in December after discovering the cause of her musculoskeletal discomfort and mobility issues. At the time, Dion said, “While we’re still studying about this uncommon ailment, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been suffering.
She receives physical treatment every day, but “she is in a lot of pain,” a source close to Dion told CNN.
I’m very sorry to disappoint all of you once again, Dion is quoted as saying in the Instagram post announcing the tour’s cancellation. Even though I’m working so hard to regain my strength, travelling is still incredibly challenging.Even though it pains me, it’s better that we cancel everything right now until I’m really prepared to return to the stage again since continuing to postpone the performances would not be fair to you. I want everyone to know that I won’t give up. and I’m eager to meet you once again.
Stiff person syndrome: what is it?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, stiff person syndrome is characterised by muscular stiffness and spasms, increased sensitivity to stimuli like sound and light, and emotional disturbance that may result in muscle spasms. People who have the illness may eventually adopt “hunched over postures,” according to the NINDS.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the ailment often starts with stiffness in the muscles of the trunk and abdomen before progressing to stiffness and spasms in the legs and other muscles.
There may be “quite severe” muscular spasms. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Stiff Person Syndrome Centre director Dr. Emile Sami Moukheiber, they may lead to falls, excruciating pain, and serious impairment. “Falls caused by strong spasms happen often. Startle, intense emotions, and chilly conditions might cause these spasms.
Any fall may result in serious harm since these spasms have the power to shatter bones.
Spasms, according to Dion, have an impact on “every aspect” of her daily life, making it difficult for her to walk and sing the manner she is used to in her December Instagram video. To tell you this today saddens me.
Moreover, the illness might lead to anxiousness.
According to Dr. Scott Newsome, director of the Stiff Person Syndrome Centre, “many patients, if not all, have an anxiety that is intrinsic to the disease and that anxiety actually feeds on the physical ailments of the disease that people can have.”
Because “street noises, such as the sound of a car horn, can trigger spasms and falls,” the NINDS observed, patients with stiff person syndrome sometimes might be hesitant to leave their houses.
Who is susceptible to stiff person syndrome?
Rare cases of stiff person syndrome exist. The illness affects only one in a million individuals, and the majority of general neurologists only witness one or two instances throughout their careers, according to Moukheiber.
According to Newsome, the first instance of stiff person syndrome was documented in the 1950s, and the condition was formerly known as “stiff man syndrome.”
In order to prevent misunderstanding, the term was changed to stiff person syndrome once it was discovered that twice as many women as males were affected.
The Cleveland Clinic states that while the illness may manifest at any age, symptoms often appear in the 30s or 40s for most people.
How does stiff person syndrome start?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, stiff person syndrome is believed to exhibit characteristics of an autoimmune disease: The autoimmune disorders type I diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anaemia are usually linked to it.
The organisation states that while the specific origin is unknown, research suggests it could be brought on by an immunological reaction “gone awry” in the brain and spinal cord.
The institution said on its website that “people with SPS have elevated levels of GAD, an antibody that works against an enzyme involved in the synthesis of an important neurotransmitter in the brain.” A blood test that counts the antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) may provide a conclusive diagnosis.
A lumbar puncture, often known as a spinal tap, and an electromyography (EMG), which detects electrical activity in the muscles, are further testing.
Due to the disease’s rarity and the uncertainty of its symptoms, patients often seek neurological treatment after experiencing persistent pain. According to the NINDS, the syndrome might be mistaken for phobias, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, or even fibromyalgia.
According to Newsome, it typically takes seven years for someone to be diagnosed with stiff person syndrome.
Because the defining symptoms of stiff person syndrome aren’t present early in the examination, he said, “sometimes [patients] get labelled as crazy.”
What is the remedy for stiff person syndrome?
The symptoms of stiff person syndrome may be managed with medicines, but there is no known cure. Immunoglobulin medicines may lessen sensitivity to stimuli like light or sound, which may prevent falls or spasms.
Muscle relaxants, pain painkillers, and anti-anxiety drugs may all be used to treat this condition. Injections of botulinum toxin are also used at the Stiff Person Syndrome Centre.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, using acupuncture, physical therapy, heat treatment, and water therapy may have further advantages.
According to Moukheiber, the condition may seriously affect everyday functioning if it is not addressed.
Dion, who previously said that she has battled with her health for a time, said she is supported by her children and a superb team of medical specialists.
Every day, she stated, she worked hard with her sports medicine therapist to regain her strength and her performance capacity. However, I must confess that it has been difficult.
Loud sounds and bright lighting may cause muscular spasms in a performer like Dion.
If it is not aggressively, promptly, and effectively treated, “this is a very challenging illness that might take a toll on her,” Moukheiber added.
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