The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association estimates that 1 in every 5 Americans is living with an autoimmune disorder. These conditions affect people regardless of their level of fame, as evidenced by the number of celebrities who also deal with autoimmune disorders. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an autoimmune disorder occurs when the body’s immune system cannot differentiate between its own cells and foreign cells, leading to the body mistakenly attacking normal cells.
Some of the most common autoimmune disorders include type 1 diabetes, lupus, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Women make up nearly 75 percent of cases for these conditions, as reported by AARDA. While most autoimmune disorders are chronic, they can be managed with treatments like immunosuppressive medications, supplements, blood transfusions, and physical therapy.
Diagnosing autoimmune disorders can be challenging, and living with a chronic health issue can be isolating. That’s why more celebrities are speaking out about their experiences with autoimmune disorders. Venus Williams, who has Sjögren’s syndrome, shared a touching message to others living with chronic illness in a 2019 interview with Prevention, encouraging them not to give up and to seek support.
Celebrities like Halsey, Selma Blair, Carrie Ann Inaba, Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez, Nick Cannon, and Dan Reynolds have all been open about their autoimmune disorders and how they have impacted their lives. These individuals serve as inspirations for others dealing with similar conditions, showing that it is possible to thrive despite the challenges posed by autoimmune disorders.
