Inside Celine Dion’s devastating health battle as the singer battles stiff person syndrome

Celine Dion’s devastating health battle with stiff person syndrome has shocked her fans. The singer is releasing a documentary titled “I Am: Celine Dion” on Prime Video on Tuesday, June 25, in which she gives her fans an intimate look into her life, professional achievements and her battle with stiff person syndrome.

Almost two years ago, the Canadian singer announced her diagnosis and disappeared from the public eye. With the release of her documentary, the legendary musician is now giving her fans an insight into her life since the diagnosis.

Here you can get an insight into Celine’s health problems, what we know about the disease and what she has told us so far.

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What was Céline Dion diagnosed with?

Last December, Céline Dion canceled her world tour after being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord.

The cause of stiff person syndrome has not yet been found. While scientists are still working to determine the cause, they suspect that it may be an autoimmune reaction. In this disease, the body attacks its own nerve cells, causing sufferers to have difficulty controlling their muscles.

How serious is stiff person syndrome?

Stiff person syndrome is a spectrum that includes several disorders. Most people with this syndrome have unique antibodies in their blood. These antibodies block enzymes that help create a necessary acid called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The acid blocks certain nerve signals, which can cause nerve cells to not function as intended.

SPS can be fatal in some cases. Although it can be fatal, this is usually caused by complications of the disease rather than the disease itself. Fatal cases are often due to blood clots, wound infections caused by the patient being immobile, or chest muscle spasms that impede a person’s breathing.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of the neurological disorder is painful muscle contractions and spasms that begin in the legs and back. The spasms can also affect the abdomen and, although less commonly, the upper trunk, arms, neck and face. The spasms usually occur when the patient is startled. Sudden movements, cold temperatures and emotional stress can also trigger spasms. The muscle contractions can cause difficulty walking and unsteadiness, which can lead to falls and injuries. People living with the syndrome may also have a stiff or rigid posture and chronic pain.

Other symptoms include shortness of breath, problems with eye movement leading to double vision, speech problems, and lack of coordination. Individuals diagnosed with stiff person syndrome may also experience anxiety and agoraphobia due to falls caused by S.

What symptoms does Celine have to deal with?

Celine has spoken openly about how the disease affects her life. The legendary singer has said that she has lost control of her muscles since being diagnosed. Speaking to NBC’s Hota Kotb on the Today Show, Celine revealed how uncomfortable life with SPS is. The singer also suffers from muscle stiffness, which affects her quality of life and her ability to do things she loves.

She also regularly struggles with muscle spasms in her neck and abdomen. “It’s like someone is strangling you. It’s like someone is pressing on your larynx/throat,” she said. “When I cook – because I love to cook – my fingers, my hands get in position. … It gets tight, but it’s like you’re in a position that you can’t get out of.”

One incident was so severe that she broke a rib. “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life… sometimes they cause difficulty walking and do not allow me to use my vocal cords to sing as I am used to,” she said.

“All I can do is sing,” she said. “That’s what I’ve done my whole life. And it’s what I love doing most.”

Is there a cure for SPS?

There is no cure for SPS, but there are therapies that can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. “Patients can try immunotherapies such as intravenous immunoglobulins, which support the immune system. Doctors may also prescribe benzodiazepines to calm the central nervous system, as well as muscle relaxants. Stretching exercises, massage, yoga, acupuncture and physical therapy can help patients continue to move and reduce discomfort.