Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid & other stars battling Lyme disease after Justin Timberlake reveals ‘debilitating' diagnosis
But
11
Justin Timberlake has opened up on his secret health battle
Credit: Getty
11
He was previously diagnosed with Lyme disease, but he is not the only star
Credit: Getty
Lyme disease is an infection that is transmitted to humans through infected ticks via a bite.
In 2022, over 62,000 cases were reported to the CDC, and it's most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest.
Whilst early treatment can be effective, people might face serious and long-lasting and serious symptoms if treatment is delayed.
The U.S. Sun takes a look at all the stars who have suffered with the disease.
READ MORE ON JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
The Hadid Family
11
Various members of the Hadid family have famously battled with Lyme disease
Credit: Getty
Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid has been very honest about her battle with the disease.
She spoke out about her diagnosis in 2017 and she wrote about it in her memoir, Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease.
At the
Global Lyme Alliance
in 2016, her daughter Bella Hadid also admitted how many aspects of her life, including her passion for horseback riding - had been hindered by the condition.
Gigi has not had the disease herself, but has spoken about the effects it has had on her family.
Most read in Celebrity
She admitted, "Growing up, having three of my family members sick made me very independent.
"My mom couldn't drive or get out of bed some days, so I took my brother to school with me, or I made lunch.
Justin Timberlake reveals secret health battle and confesses symptoms have been 'relentlessly debilitating' on tour
"But I also felt a lot of guilt for being the one person in the family who didn't understand what they were going through."
Gigi added, "It's hard when your whole family is in pain and you don't know what to do."
Avril Lavigne
11
Avril Lavigne admitted she was left bedridden for five months
Credit: Getty
The Sk8ter Boi singer first revealed that she was suffering from Lyme disease back in 2015.
She told People Magazine that she had been battling with symptoms for a year as she admitted, "I had no idea a bug bite could do this.
In 2019, she told the outlet that her charitable foundation was working with various organizations dedicated to fighting Lyme disease.
Whilst insisting she was well again, she added, "It gave me a purpose, and made me find myself all over again.
"When you go through something like that, you realize how fulfilling simple things are - things I could do anymore, like being able to get up in the morning and go to the kitchen and grab a cup of coffee."
Riley Keough
11
Riley Keough chose to start her family using surrogacy due to the disease
Credit: Getty
The daughter of Lisa Marie Presley admitted that she had Lyme disease when she appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair in 2023.
She opened up on how it affected her day-to-day life.
It also led to her decision to choose the surrogacy route when she wanted to start a
family
with her husband, Ben Smith-Petersen.
Riley admitted, "I can carry children, but it felt like the best choice for what I had going on physically with the autoimmune stuff."
The interview for the publication took place in Sweden where the actress chose to recover from the condition at a special holistic center.
She explained that she was on a "break" to try and "alleviate" symptoms with treatment that wasn't available in the states.
She added, "[There's] all kinds of things that you can't really do in America yet, like cleaning your blood."
Amy Schumer
11
Amy Schumer opened up on the medication she took to alleviate symptoms
Credit: AFP or licensors
The actress is best known for her TV work in comedy and even on Broadway.
But she opened up about her diagnosis with Lyme disease in an Instagram post in September 2020.
She posted a throwback image of her 'first ever fishing pole,' as she captioned the photo, "Anyone get LYME this summer?
"I got it and I'm on doxycycline. I have maybe had it for years. Any advice? Can you have a glass of
wine
or 2 on it?"
She continued, "I know to stay out of the sun. I'm also taking these herbs from cape cod called lyme-2.
"I also want to say that I feel good and am excited to get rid of it."
Justin Bieber
11
Fans thought Justin may have been on drugs due to concerning images, but he was just midway through battling the condition
Credit: GC Images
In July 2019, fans of Justin Bieber became concerned by a photo circulating the internet.
Whilst many speculated that he was on
drugs
, in January 2020 he explained that it was actually taken at the worst point of suffering with the condition.
On Instagram, he admitted, "While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s-, on meth etc. they failed to realize I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease.
"It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever."
Shania Twain
11
Country star Shania Twain suffers from vocal problems due to dysphonia
Credit: Getty
The singer is known for hits such as That Don't Impress Me Much and You're Still The One.
However, she has secretly faced vocal problems because of dysphonia, which is a result of Lyme disease.
She has been forced to both regain and retune her voice over the years due to the condition.
She previously told People Magazine, "I was very scared for a little while that I wouldn't sing again, ever.
"I went through that moment, but I found a way. I found a way to do it."
Shania now has to do lengthy warmups and 'very difficult' physical therapy when she uses her voice.
Ben Stiller
11
Hollywood actor Ben admitted the disease is still in his system
Credit: Getty
In 2010, the
A year later he told The Hollywood Reporter, "I'm symptom-free now, but Lyme doesn't ever leave your system."
Ben added, "It's a really tough thing."
Alec Baldwin
11
Alec Baldwin thought he could die from the effects
Credit: Getty
The former SNL star took to the stage at the LymeAid gala dinner for the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, where he was also the Master of Ceremonies.
During the evening, Alec was very candid about his battles with the medical condition.
He admitted, "I really thought this is it, I'm not going to live, I was alone, I wasn't married at the time, I was divorced from my first wife.
"I was lying in bed saying, 'I'm going to die of Lyme disease,' in my bed and 'I hope someone finds me and I'm not here for too long.'"
Kelly Osbourne
11
Kelly Osbourne was bitten by a tick at a birthday party thrown for her dad Ozzy
Credit: Getty
The former reality TV star is known for her presenting roles on
In 2004, midway through the height of popularity for The Osbournes on MTV, she attended her dad's birthday party.
Ozzy had the surprise bash thrown for him to celebrate his 56th birthday, which featured featured a reindeer sanctuary in the family's backyard.
However, Kelly was bitten by a tick during the event and would go onto suffer from an array of symptoms.
These included a sore throat and stomach pains as she later opened up on the impact of the condition on her life.
The former E! star admitted, "I've learned to advocate for myself when it comes to my
health
, and I trust my intuition."
In her memoir, There Is No F*cking Secret: Letters From a Badass Bitch, she continued: "If I think something is wrong, I refuse to let anyone dismiss it. And sadly, I stay the f--- away from reindeer."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The everyday hairstyle making Brits go bald & the easy trick to solve it, according to a hairdresser
A HAIR expert has revealed that brushing wet hair may cause more permanent damage to hair follicles than many people realise - and can lead to you going bald. Dr Roshan Vara, from Advertisement 3 If you are experiencing hair loss, you may need to change your brushing habits Credit: Getty They shared: "Wet hair has a lot of physical differences to hair when it's dry and that can affect its ability to handle stress from brushing. 'Water affects the hair shaft, and as a result, it experiences stretches in the cuticle because of swelling and that leads to breakage due to the strain.' Hair researchers have found that Dr Roshan explained: "Wet hair causes stretching which damages the protein structure, leading to weaker hair over time.' Advertisement More on hair So how do you combat this? SAFE SOLUTION Wide-tooth combs should be used instead of brushes, for wet hair, according to the hair transplant expert. Dr Roshan continued: "If you haven't brushed your hair before you wet it, don't use a standard brush, use a wide-tooth comb and start from the ends and work your way up. 'Never start brushing from the roots when hair is wet - you must avoid doing this to prevent damage.' Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Comment According to Dr Roshan, styling techniques that combine wetness and heat exacerbate the damage. They added: "Using a hairdryer on soaking wet hair is particularly damaging, even if many may do that without even thinking. My hair's so thin you can see my scalp but miracle £8 buy fixes it in seconds 3 Brushing hair when wet can damage it Credit: Alamy 3 You should use a wide comb to detangle your locks Credit: Alamy Advertisement 'The speed of which water is removed from the hair shaft can cause essentially a rupturing effect which pushes out the cuticle and leads to hair falling out as it isn't as strong as it needs to be." The protection of the hair cuticle continues its decline as a result of aggressive brushing on wet hair. Fine hair and chemically treated hair – whether coloured, permed or relaxed – are especially susceptible to wet brushing damage because their protein structure is already altered. Rush hair expert reveals how to repair damaged hair TINA Farey, Editorial director at Rush Hair, shares her advice… HOW TO RESTORE DAMAGED HAIR Whilst you can't fully reserve the effects of damaged hair, you can stop the problem from growing. Depending on the condition of your hair, I'd recommend getting a trim every six to eight weeks - this will prevent any split ends from travelling further up the hair shaft, which weakens the hair's overall structure and leads to more breakage. Even just an inch of the ends will completely transform the appearance of your hair – trust me. When it comes to products to help restore damaged hair, Goldwell's Rich Repair Treatment Mask is a firm favourite – strengthening damaged locks to be healthy and shiny once again. HOW TO PREVENT DAMAGE My number one tip is to always use a heat protectant – even if you're only blow-drying your hair. Consistent heat styling without one will leave your hair open to heat damage. I'd also recommend refraining from over-washing your hair as this can strip the hair of its natural oils – nobody wants a dry and irritated scalp! And finally, swap your sleek, slick back for a hair down day! They may be in fashion at the moment, but over time all that tension on your strands from being pulled will wreak havoc on your hair follicles – this could lead to thinning and bald spots in areas where the hair is constantly pulled.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Justin Timberlake reveals Lyme disease diagnosis
Justin Timberlake has announced that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The singer revealed the news on social media as he commemorated his Forget Tomorrow tour, which finished in Turkey on Wednesday. He wrote: 'If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has – then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. Photo by. 'When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' Justin has been facing backlash from fans during the tour for his lack of enthusiasm on stage and letting the fans do most of the singing during some songs. The diagnosis adds a bit of perspective to what fans were complaining about during some performances and the former NSYNC star added that he nearly stopped the tour altogether. He continued: 'I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going. The singer has faced backlash from fans during the tour. Pic: Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images 'Not only did I prove my mental tenacity to myself but, I now have so many special moments with all of you that I will never forget. 'I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself. But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted.' Justin believes that sharing the news could help others struggling with the disease and he hopes he and his fans 'can all find a way to be more connected'. Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as deer ticks. It can cause flu-like conditions, neurological problems, joint pain and other symptoms. In the vast majority of cases, Lyme disease is successfully treated with antibiotics. The 44-year-old cancelled and postponed multiple shows throughout the tour's run, citing health issues including bronchitis and laryngitis. Six of his US shows were postponed from October and November to February and he ultimately cancelled the final show of the American leg of the tour in Ohio due to the flu in February. Justin ended the post by thanking his wife, Jessica Biel, and their two sons, Silas and Phin. He said: 'Nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I'm on my way.'
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Not just Justin Timberlake: Why do so many celebrities have Lyme disease and how can we avoid tick bites?
The 44-year-old singer has said he "would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness". He shared the news of his diagnosis following the conclusion of his Forget Tomorrow world tour, having kept the news to himself until now. Writing on Instagram, the Cry Me a River singer explained: 'As many of you know, I'm a pretty private person. But as I'm reflecting on the tour and festival tour — I want to tell you a little bit about what's going on with me. 'Among other things, I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease — which I don't say so you feel bad for me — but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes. 'If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.' Timberlake is one of many celebrities to have spoken openly about living with Lyme disease. Last October, actress and comedian Miranda Hart revealed how her recent time away from the spotlight had been due to a private battle with the disease. 'Because once you've been bed and housebound with a fatigue-based chronic illness that takes a long time to be diagnosed — which sadly I know a lot of people will know — you miss life a lot,' she told The One Show last year. 'Unless you've had fatigue [like that], you don't understand what literally not getting off the floor is,' Hart also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme in a separate interview. 'I was basically bedbound and housebound. There'd be times where I'd look at a glass of water, and think, I don't know how to pick that up.' While Lyme disease is rare in the UK, with around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales each year (which, for a population of 67 million, is low), it's become a hot topic among celebrities due to its prevalence in the United States, and its risk of misdiagnosis. How do you get Lyme disease? Lyme disease can be acquired through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, which is more commonly known as a deer tick. It's typically first noticed when a 'bullseye' rash surrounds the infection site. The infection can cause flu-like symptoms at first, including a temperature, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain and tiredness and loss of energy. However, it's the long term symptoms that some celebrities have been raising awareness of recently. These are rare, occurring in 5 to 10 per cent of cases, and develop after treatment. Known as 'post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome', this syndrome lead Lyme disease sufferers to develop arthritis, chronic pain, heart palpitations and brain inflammations. Which other celebrities have Lyme disease? Justin Timberlake's diagnosis is the latest in a long, recent line of celebrities who have spoken publicly about battling Lyme disease. One of these is Bella Hadid, who has taken time out of her modelling career to deal with the complications of her diagnosis. "I know what it feels like to not want to get out of bed from bone pains and exhaustion and days on end of not wanting to socialize or be around people because the anxiety and brain fog just isn't worth it,' Hadid said in a speech at the 2016 Global Lyme Alliance. 'After years of this, you begin to get used to living with the sickness, instead of getting cured and moving on with your life.' Hadid's mother, Yolanda, and brother, Anwar, also suffer from Lyme disease. Riley Keogh is another celebrity who has been open about her diagnosis, sharing that she delivered her daughter Tupelo via surrogacy due to Keogh's Lyme-related health complications. 'I can carry children,' she told Vanity Fair, 'but it felt like the best choice for what I had going on physically with the autoimmune stuff.' Singer Justin Bieber also suffers from Lyme disease, opening up about his diagnosis via Instagram in 2020 after fans became concerned for his health. 'While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s***, on meth etc, they failed to realize I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease,' he wrote on Instagram. 'It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever.' Why do they call it the 'yuppie disease'? There has been a huge increase in the number of people reportedly suffering from Lyme disease in the United States according to data from the CDC, though some people are suspicious of its accuracy. Nearly half a million US citizens reported suffering from Lyme disease in 2022. But because this data is made up of self-reported diagnoses, the CDC says that this number is likely to be inflated due to patients diagnosed on 'clinical suspicion' when they do not actually have Lyme disease. This has fostered a suspicion around fake and mis-diagnoses, hence the derogatory nickname. Lyme disease is actually very difficult to diagnose, and many celebrities have reported issues with being mistakenly diagnosed with other health conditions. Kris Kristofferson, the country music legend who recently passed away aged 88, once revealed that he was mistakenly diagnosed with Alzheimer's when he actually had Lyme disease. Miranda Hart's comments last October marked one of the first times a British celebrity has spoken about struggling with the disease, because it is simply not as common in the UK. There are places in the UK where Lyme disease poses more of a risk, namely the south of England and the Scottish Highlands. In 2017, more specific high risk areas were named, including Exmoor, the New Forest and other rural areas of Hampshire, the South Downs, parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire, parts of Surrey and West Sussex, Thetford Forest in Norfolk, the Lake District, the North York Moors and the Scottish Highlands. In the US, Lyme disease is more common, with an average of 40 cases per 100,000 people, compared to the UK, where there is an average of 2.77 cases per 100,000 people. High risk areas in the US include the northeast, upper midwest and northwestern states.
