What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome? Justin Bieber diagnosed with rare neurological disorder

Music famous person Justin Bieber introduced Friday that he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

“It is from this virus attacks the nerves in my ear, my facial nerves, and has caused my face to have paralysis,” Bieber stated in a video posted to Instagram.

The 28-year-old musician was compelled to cancel three appearances this week on his Justice World Tour consequently. “Obviously my body is telling me I gotta slow down,” he stated.

Bieber described among the signs: “As you can see, this eye is not blinking, I can’t smile on this side of my face, this nostril will not move,” he stated, gesturing to the options that hardly moved as he tried to blink and smile.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is named after the American neurologist who recognized it within the early twentieth century.

It is attributable to varicella zoster, the identical virus which causes each chickenpox and shingles, explains the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. It is additionally rare. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, solely 5 folks per 100,000 are estimated to contract Ramsay Hunt yearly.

It can happen in anybody who has had chickenpox, and is triggered by a shingles outbreak, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic. It could cause each a rash round one ear and paralysis on one aspect of the face, as is apparently being skilled by Bieber. Other signs can embody listening to loss and vertigo.

Depending on the extent of the nerve harm, recovery often happens inside just a few weeks, in accordance with info from the Mount Sinai Health System. Treatment choices can embody anti-inflammatory and antiviral medicines corresponding to prednisone, acyclovir and valacyclovir.

In extreme circumstances, it may well trigger everlasting listening to loss and eye harm, the Mayo Clinic says. 

In his Instagram video, Bieber sounded optimistic about his recovery.

“I’m gonna get better,” he stated. “I’m doing all these facial exercises to get my face back to normal. And it will go back to normal — it’s just time. We don’t know how much time it’s gonna be, but it’s gonna be OK.”