8 Celebrities Battling Chronic Illnesses

Celebrities often appear to be completely perfect on the surface, but some of even the most well-known names in Hollywood have underlying conditions that are not readily apparent. Here are some of the biggest stars who are battling chronic illnesses in stride.

The world recently found out that pop star Selena Gomez has been dealing with lupus for several years. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body cannot distinguish between normal, healthy tissue and foreign agents, such as viruses or bacteria. The body’s own immune system will attack healthy tissue leading to range of symptoms associated with the disease.

Since experiencing his first symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or MS, in 1980, Montel Williams has been living with the disease and has managed to overcome many obstacles despite his condition. Currently, there is no cure for MS, which is an immune disorder that attacks the central nervous system.

Catherine Zeta-Jones has sought treatment for her bipolar disorder and has been relatively vocal about living with the condition with the hope of encouraging others also suffering from bipolar disorder.  People dealing with bipolar disorder have to cope with swings in and out of both mania and depression.

Because she’s known for having flawless skin, it can be hard to believe that Kim Kardashian suffers from psoriasis. There is a range of symptoms associated with this chronic skin condition, most notably itchy, flaky skin.

Surprisingly enough, Lil Wayne has to cope with epilepsy and the seizures that come with it. After being hospitalized for several days, Lil Wayne decided to change his lifestyle to better accommodate his condition. Epilepsy is a nervous system disorder that affects cells in the brain and causes seizures.

Partially as a result of intentional weight gain for certain roles, Tom Hanks has developed Type II diabetes after dealing with elevated blood sugar levels for some time. Type II diabetes is a common ailment affecting many people in the U.S. as a result of unhealthy weight gain and other factors.

As far-fetched as it sounds, the popular singer Pink has lived with asthma almost all of her life. This chronic illness can make breathing difficult by constricting airways during asthma attacks, so it’s a wonder the singer has done so well in her chosen career. Being so successful despite her asthmatic condition is a huge inspiration for others suffering from asthma.

Actress Shannen Doherty has to deal with the sometimes debilitating Crohn’s disease and all of the incredibly inconvenient symptoms that are a part of the disease. Crohn’s disease is an immune disorder that causes digestive problems such as cramping, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. While there is no cure for the disease, it is possible to control symptoms with medication and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.