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What is Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as a deer or bear tick, which carries a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Initially, the disease causes rashes, fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, it can lead to severe joint and nervous system pain, paralysis, mental fogginess, and inflammation of the heart and the membranes around the brain and spinal cord."
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Ben Stiller has spoken out many times about his struggle with Lyme disease. Diagnosed with the condition in 2010, he told the 'Hollywood Reporter', "I'm symptom-free now, but Lyme doesn't ever leave your system. It's a really tough thing."
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Before being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Lyme disease. It is unconfirmed whether the two conditions are related.
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At the 2017 LymeAid gala, hosted by Alec Baldwin, the actor shared that he genuinely believed he was going to die alone when he was suffering from chronic Lyme disease in 2011. Thankfully, he is now healthy and remarried!
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Richard Gere, the iconic actor, had to postpone filming for 'Autumn in New York' while he was treated for Lyme disease. Like Alec Baldwin, Gere believed he was going to die due to the severity of his symptoms.
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Yolanda Hadid has written a book about Lyme disease and frequently shares her experiences. At the 2016 Global Lyme Alliance Gala, Hadid remarked, 'It’s hard for people to understand the invisible disability that owns our life, especially behind the beautiful face that shines so bright on the covers of magazines.
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Yolanda Hadid's daughter, Bella Hadid also suffers from Lyme disease. She spoke at the same gala about the disease's deteriorating effect on her energy levels, her passion for horseback riding, and her social life.
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At one point, there was a conspiracy theory that this Canadian singer, Avril Lavigne had died because she was out of the public eye for a long time. She later explained that she had been fighting Lyme disease after a tick bite in 2014. Now, she actively raises awareness about Lyme disease.
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Singer Shania Twain announced her diagnosis in 2017. Her disease caused dysphonia, a condition that left her unable to sing, and she had to retrain and exercise her voice to recover.
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Kelly Osbourne wrote about her experience with Lyme disease in her 2018 memoir. She was bitten by a tick at her father's birthday party, which was held at a reindeer sanctuary. Despite showing symptoms, she had to fight to convince doctors that it was real.
Why is Lyme disease so common, and which celebs are struggling with it? Discover the reasons behind the widespread occurrence of Lyme disease and learn about the celebrities who are battling this challenging illness.
From their symptoms to their treatments, get an inside look at how these stars are managing their health while in the spotlight.