Featured Image Credit: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
Topics: Lyme disease, Health, Justin Timberlake, Celebrity, US News, Music
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Lyme disease, Health, Justin Timberlake, Celebrity, US News, Music
After announcing he's the latest celeb to be diagnosed with a disease that seems to have fellow Hollywood locals in a chokehold, Justin Timberlake has shared a fiery message.
The musician broke the news of his ailing health last week (31 Jul) in a lengthy Instagram message that concluded his recent two-year-long Forget Tomorrow global tour.
"If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically," 44-year-old Timberlake told his fans.
"When I first got the diagnosis, I was shocked for sure."
Advert
The 'Cry Me A River' singer went on to detail the frustrating symptoms he endured whilst awaiting his official diagnosis, recalling 'a massive amount of nerve pain' whilst performing on stage, as well as 'crazy fatigue or sickness'.
For those who haven't yet sussed the condition in question - which a vast horde of stars seem to be suffering from - we are, of course, talking about Lyme disease.
Timberlake, Ben Stiller, Riley Keogh, Kelly Osbourne, Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin, Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, and Yolanda and Bella Hadid are just some of the celebs that have come out and shared their Lyme disease diagnosis.
The 'Can't Stop The Feeling' hitmaker not only promised to use his platform to spread awareness of the condition, but vowed to take some time to himself.
And by the look of his latest Instagram post, he's doing exactly that.
Taking to the snap-sharing app, the father-of-two uploaded a photo of himself wearing a sweatshirt that reads 'I'm not doing s**t today. Mission accomplished', and playfully sticking out his tongue.
For anyone unfamiliar with the nature of the ailment, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection is transmitted when a person is bitten by a tick.
The condition is also believed to be battled by around 476,000 Americans alone each year (as per the Center of Disease Control and Prevention).
As well as a skin irritation known as a 'bullseye' rash, Lyme disease is also associated with flu-like symptoms, including a fever, headache and fatigue. In more severe cases, however, the condition can also trigger a facial droop, nerve pains, numbness, or tingling or issues with the heart, known as Lyme carditis.
In terms of its apparent prevalence in the celebrity realm, a number of field experts have suggested theories as to why this may be the case.
Many have suggested lifestyle as the most influential factor, with many stars boasting sprawling countryside estates in locations such as the Hamptons and Malibu. In these areas, which are thick with dense vegetation, like tall grasses and leaf litter, ticks tend to be more prevalent.
Their pricey pastimes - like horseback riding, which take place in the countryside - are also thought to play into this.
Other experts suggest wealth for being a factor as to why so many celebs seem to have Lyme disease, being that many of them can afford savvy medical care, which can help with fast diagnoses following extensive screenings and tests.
Fame is also thought to be a factor, in that - it's not that celebs are 'more likely' to be diagnosed with the condition. It's simply that, when they are diagnosed, their platforms give them a wider reach to talk about it.
Lyme disease is generally curable, especially when diagnosed and treated early with a course of antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Most people recover fully within two to four weeks, though it’s important to finish the entire course even if symptoms improve.
However, some individuals report ongoing symptoms like fatigue, pain, or cognitive difficulties despite successful treatment — a condition known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). The cause of PTLDS remains unclear, and further antibiotic treatment has not been shown to help and may even be harmful. Instead, care is focused on managing lingering symptoms while researchers continue to investigate the condition.