Celine Dion, the most famous sufferer of stiff person syndrome (Samir Hussein / Getty)
Formed the statements of the world singer Celine Dion About her cessation of presenting some international shows due to her suffering from a rare disease known as Stiff-Person Syndrome, the focus of attention of thousands around the world during the recent period, and many wondered regarding what this disease is, how it is infected, and methods of treatment.
The famous star posted a video clip through her account on the site Instagramin which she explains her decision to postpone her singing tour For the year 2023, due to her health condition, which raised many question marks regarding the causes of her infection with this disease, and the extent of its danger to patients.
According to the definition of the American University of Yale, “stiff person syndrome” is a type of neurological disorder that causes Rigidity and spasms In the trunk and limbs, it is a rare neurological disease that causes stiffness, and thus the inability of people to perform daily tasks normally.
A neurologist, worshiping the groom, defines “stiff person syndrome” as a disease that affects the nerves and muscles in the body. these limbs so that the injured person is unable to move them.
The doctor adds: “There is no clear reason regarding the causes of this disease, and usually the patient cannot be diagnosed with this type of disorder because the symptoms usually resemble different diseases, and therefore the accuracy of his diagnosis requires tools that may not be available except in medical centers specialized in this type of disorder.” Disorders The symptoms of the disease differ from one person to another, as a patient may become unable to walk, or even carry out routine daily tasks, while other people suffer from muscle aches only.
According to Johns Hopkins Hospital data, the number of people infected with this disease around the world does not exceed a few thousand, as the disorder affects one or two people out of every million people, but the real rate may be much higher than that because symptoms can reflect many other medical problems. such as Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, or diseases such as anxiety and phobias.
Stiff person syndrome affects women more than men
Stiff person syndrome is believed to have features of an autoimmune disease, according to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and is considered one of the diseases that are not related to external causes, such as diet, exercise programs, and others.
Stiff person syndrome affects women more than men, and most patients begin to feel symptoms between the ages of thirty and sixty, and the syndrome is often associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, pernicious anemia, and hypothyroidism.
Although the exact cause of the disease is not clear, the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says, “People with it have elevated levels of an antibody known as GAD, which works once morest an important neurotransmitter enzyme in the brain.”
Because the disease is rare and its symptoms are vague, people often seek care for chronic pain before they seek neurological care. On average, it takes regarding 7 years for someone to receive a diagnosis of stiff person syndrome.
The initial symptoms of the disease appear in the form of stiffness of the muscles of the trunk, arms and legs, and symptoms may develop with the progression of the disease, so that the patient becomes unable to control certain limbs, and the patient is likely to become more sensitive to injury when exposed to noise or intense lighting, according to a report by John Hospital. Hopkins, as they can act as triggers for muscle spasms over time, and sufferers may develop a form of paralysis that prevents them from being able to move.
Muscle stiffness commonly arises following overuse of skeletal muscles. For example, staying in bed for a long time can cause muscle atrophy, or a new type of sport leads to muscle stiffness or stiffness. These factors are temporary, and they cause damage. For muscle cells, but in the case of chronic disease, the survival of the muscles in a state of stiffness is continuous, which leads to a feeling of constant pain.
There is no specific treatment for this disease, and there are a few hospitals around the world that can deal with it, specifically in the United States, such as Johns Hopkins and Cleveland hospitals, so patients may need to travel to see a specialist and get personal treatment.
Al-Aris explains that doctors prescribe some medications to control symptoms and pain, including muscle relaxants and sedatives, and in the advanced stages of the disease, physical therapy sessions may be required to dismantle sclerosis, and this type of disorder can also be treated by targeting the immune system through pharmaceutical.
Doctor Emile Sami, of the Stiff Person Syndrome Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, says: “Immune globulin medications can help reduce sensitivity to light or sound stimuli, which may help avoid convulsions. Painkillers, anti-anxiety medications and muscle relaxants are part of the treatment, and botulinum toxin injections are also used: “If left untreated, the disease can cause a patient’s ability to perform daily life requirements to be impaired.”
