Celine Dion is giving fans an honest look at her life with stiff person syndrome.
In a new documentary, the famous singer experiences a scary medical crisis during a physical therapy session, and it’s all caught on camera.
In 2022, Dion revealed she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome. In the documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” she shares that she had been dealing with symptoms of this rare, progressive neurological disorder for 17 years.
“I need my instrument. And my instrument was not working. So we started to elevate the medicine,” Dion, 56, said after struggling to hit certain notes during her 2018 and 2019 tours.
Though she completed her 2018 tour, Dion had to postpone several dates from her 2019 tour due to the “common cold” before the pandemic shut it down.
Her tour resumed in 2022, but she had to keep canceling and rescheduling shows. It wasn’t until she announced her diagnosis that she officially canceled the rest of her appearances.
“I can’t lie anymore,” Dion says in the documentary. “From a sinus infection to an ear infection to whatever. Sometimes I would point my microphone toward the audience, and I would make them sing it. There are moments where I cheated and I tapped on the microphone like it was the microphone’s fault.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Celine Dion performs live at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park at Hyde Park on July 05, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Redferns)
In the documentary, there’s a part where Dion shows a very personal moment. She’s lying on a massage table doing exercises for her physical therapy when her foot suddenly starts to cramp. Soon after, her whole body tightens up and she can’t move or talk to the people around her.
The camera keeps recording as another person from her medical team rushes in with a nasal spray called benzodiazepine. They give it to Dion, who’s in so much pain that she’s crying, even though she can’t move. It’s really hard to watch this part of the video.
Once the spasms have subsided – they typically last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour – Dion is able to sit up and speak.
“Every time something like this happens, it makes me feel so embarrassed,” she says. “I don’t know how to express it, you know, to not have control over yourself.”
Her physical therapist speculates the attack was brought on by being “overstimulated” from an earlier singing session.
“If I can’t get stimulated by what I love, then I’m going to go on stage, and you’re going to put the pulse oximeter on me and turn me on my back?” she wonders.
Dion hopes that one day soon she’ll be able to return to the stage.
Why You Feel the Urge to Poop After Eating, Explained by a Doctor
Why You Feel the Urge to Poop After Eating: A Doctor Explains
Many people experience the need to use the restroom shortly after eating, and according to medical experts, this is a completely normal occurrence.
A healthcare professional on TikTok recently highlighted this common phenomenon, reassuring those who frequently rush to the bathroom after meals that they are not alone.
Understanding the Gastrocolic Reflex
Despite what it may seem, feeling the urge to have a bowel movement immediately after eating does not mean that your food is being digested unusually fast. Instead, this sensation is due to the “gastrocolic reflex.”
According to VeryWell Health, the gastrocolic reflex is a natural physiological response that stimulates movement in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract after consuming food. This reflex helps create space in your digestive system for incoming food by triggering contractions in the colon.
Dr. Salhab explains that as the stomach expands with food, it signals the brain, which then prompts the colon to contract. This reaction often leads to the urge to have a bowel movement. The waste that is expelled, however, is not from the most recent meal but consists of older digested food and fluids stored in the colon.
When the Reflex Is More Intense
For individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the gastrocolic reflex can be more pronounced. According to the Cleveland Clinic, IBS can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and excessive gas.
Dr. Salhab notes that some people experience intense abdominal cramps or even diarrhea following meals due to heightened colon contractions. Fortunately, there are ways to manage these symptoms effectively.
Managing Symptoms
To reduce the severity of post-meal bathroom urges, Dr. Salhab recommends avoiding certain trigger foods and beverages. These include:
- Carbonated drinks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Certain citrus fruits
- Dairy products (for some individuals)
- Fried and fatty foods
By making mindful dietary choices, you may be able to minimize discomfort and maintain better digestive health.
Share the Knowledge!
If you found this information helpful, share it with your friends and family so they, too, can better understand their digestive health!
Leave a Reply