2023-09-19 00:03:27
Title: Céline Dion Reveals Battle with Stiff Person Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment
Subtitle: Rare chronic disease causes muscle stiffness and painful cramps
Date: September 2023
Céline Dion made a shocking announcement about her health, revealing that she suffers from “stiff person syndrome (SPS)”. This rare chronic disease is characterized by muscle stiffness and painful muscle cramps. While there is no cure for SPS, treatment can help slow down its progression and manage the symptoms.
Stiff person syndrome, classified as a neurological disorder with autoimmune characteristics, primarily affects the trunk and abdomen muscles. Over time, patients may also experience stiffness and spasms in the legs and other muscles. This condition greatly impairs mobility, making walking difficult and increasing the risk of falls and injuries. Individuals with SPS also exhibit increased sensitivity to stimuli.
Dr. Andrew McKeon, a neurologist and expert in autoimmune neurology and movement disorders at the Mayo Clinic, stated, “This neurological condition can affect anyone at any age. It is more common in women, usually from the age of 40 or 50. More than 50 percent of patients have a concurrent non-neurological autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes or autoimmune thyroid disease.” The prevalence of SPS is extremely rare, with only 1 in 1 million people being affected by it.
The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, and while a cure is not available, treatment options exist to manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the syndrome. Medications such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and neuropathic pain medication are commonly prescribed. Additionally, antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs may be used to address psychiatric symptoms and seizures that can accompany SPS. Disease-modifying therapies aim to change the immune response and reduce the harmful antibodies that attack healthy cells. One such therapy is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which has shown improved symptoms for up to one year following a course of five sessions. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and aqua therapy have also been found to provide relief for individuals with SPS.
The symptoms of SPS extend beyond muscle stiffness and rigidity. Other notable signs include difficulty turning and bending, painful muscle spasms, atypical stooped posture, stiff gait, exaggerated startle responses to stimuli, and a higher likelihood of falling. In later stages, SPS can affect facial muscles, and in rare cases, even the respiratory muscles.
Stiff person syndrome is recognized as an autoimmune disease. Approximately 80 percent of patients with SPS produce an antibody called glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD), which attacks proteins in the neurons affecting muscle movement, thereby impacting spinal cord and brain function. The exact cause of autoimmune diseases remains unknown, although genetics likely play a role.
While SPS may pose significant challenges to those living with it, awareness and proper treatment can greatly improve quality of life. With diligent medical management and the support of various therapies, individuals with stiff person syndrome can find relief and lead fulfilling lives.
Sources:
– Mayo Clinic
– Multiple Sclerosis Society
– National Organization for Rare Disorders
Last updated: September 2023]
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