Topics: Justin Bieber, Lyme disease, Mental Health, Justin Timberlake, Health, Reality TV
Justin Bieber has shared the reason why a bacterial disease, which appears to be common among celebrities, often goes under the radar.
The 'Daisies' hitmaker, 31, opened up on his health woes and revealed that he'd been diagnosed with the illness back in 2019.
He joined a long list of A-listers who have also suffered from the same 'invisible' condition, including the likes of Bella Hadid, Alec Baldwin, Kelly Osbourne and Shania Twain.
The latest famous face to reveal their diagnosis was Justin Timberlake, who penned an emotional statement last week (31 July) about how 'living with it can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically'.
Advert
He candidly wrote: "When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure," before going on to detail the frustrating symptoms he endured, including 'a massive amount of nerve pain' while performing on stage, as well as 'crazy fatigue or sickness'.
And it seems Bieber's symptoms were similar, as six years ago he talked about dealing with extreme bouts of fatigue, which led him to undergo a series of medical tests and finally get a diagnosis.
The illness we're talking about is Lyme disease - a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
It's usually easier to treat if it's diagnosed early; however, the symptoms, such as a high temperature and muscle pain, can easily be confused with those of other common and less serious illnesses, such as the flu.
The main warning sign of Lyme disease is a bullseye-shaped rash, which can appear anywhere between days and months after you're first bitten, meaning it can easily go undetected for a long time.
This is especially dangerous because if Lyme disease goes untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, the heart and the nervous system.
In the months before Bieber's diagnosis, the singer came under relentless health speculation, with false rumours swirling that he had a drug problem due to his appearance.
He was forced to shut down the speculation by revealing that the illness was the real reason he looked unwell.
Taking to Instagram at the time, he wrote: "While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s**t, on meth etc. they failed to realise I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health."
He added: "It's been a rough couple years but [I’m] getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever."
Bieber reassured fans that he was in good hands and was getting the 'right treatment' and then, in 2020, he went on to release a documentary called The Dark Season about his health struggles and time away from music.
As seen in the programme, he told a doctor: "So, I've been struggling with my energy for quite some time now, and I just haven't known why."
He continued: "I realised after a series of tests that I have what's called Lyme disease, which is a super silent disease that's not really very well known. It's very hard for doctors to test for it.
"Basically, infections have played a big part in my acne and in overall toxins in my body, which creates all this stuff so it feels good now to know why I feel so crappy all the time."
Also speaking in the doc, Dr Erica Lehman - one of Bieber's physicians - explained: "Lyme disease is the fastest growing bacterial infection in the United States right now.
"We know that it can cause a whole spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms - mood changes, irritability, depression, anxiety. Justin fits the picture of these symptoms."
As per the NHS website, two types of blood tests are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease; however, these tests are not always accurate in the early stages of the disease.
You may need to be retested if you still have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result.
