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vitiligo, lupus & mj
Published Jul. 2, 2009Views: 738
In 1986 Michael Jackson was diagnosed with Vitiligo and Lupus. Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. Lupus is an auto-immune and inflammatory disease which attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs and can be fatal. In the 1993 Oprah Winfrey interview with Jackson he finally admitted to having this illness to debunk the ‘skin bleaching’ rumors.
Vitiligo is associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases like Lupus and Addison’s. Lupus can cause inflammation of the heart, lungs, joints and many, like Jackson, experience pneumonia and cardiac manifestations and anemia. Extreme fatigue and joint pain are common with Lupus. Although it seemed odd years ago, Michael wearing a mask was wise. He came into contact with millions of people, each one a risk to his health when living with Lupus.There is no cure for Vitiligo, nor is there a cure for Lupus.Treatments for Vitiligo include a topical steroid cream (mild topical corticosteroid cream). Corticosteroids are a group of drugs similar to hormones such as cortisone and are often used to treat Lupus patients. Ultraviolet therapy and photochemotherapy may be use to help darken the patches, although this may increase skin cancer risk, burning or blistering. Vitiligo patients with over 50% of their body may opt for depigmentation, to match the already depigmented areas.I don't know what's true, and what's not true. I just think that if this is true, it explains at least one of MJ's mysteries.Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
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