Ashton Kutcher speaks about his experience with a rare form of vasculitis
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Ashton Kutcher opened up about his struggle with a rare form of vasculitis.
Here is everything you need to know.
Ashton Kutcher shares about his battle with vasculitis
Ashton Kutcher recently revealed that he suffered from vasculitis in an exclusive clip for National Geographic’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge which was obtained by Access Hollywood.
The That 70’s Show star also claimed that the autoimmune disorder affected vision, hearing, and ability to walk for more than a year.
The 44-year-old actor-turned-entrepreneur mentioned, ‘Like two (now, three) years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis.’
Additionally, he continued, ‘Knocked out my vision. It knocked out my hearing, it knocked out, like, all my equilibrium. It took me like a year to like build it all back up.’
Kutcher spoke to renowned television show host and adventurer Bear Grylls while they hiked through brambles and trees.
Moreover, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native was heard saying in the clip, ‘You don’t really appreciate it until it’s gone. Until you go, ‘I don’t know if I’m ever gonna be able to see again, I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to hear again. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to walk again.’
He added, ‘I’m lucky to be alive.’
What is vasculitis? And its symptoms?
Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels including arteries and veins. The inflammation might cause the vessels to thicken, which further reduces the flow of the blood and the walls get constricted.
As per the information on Mayo Clinic, if the blood flow is restricted enough, it might cause damage to a significant tissue or even an organ.
The website states, ‘There are many types of vasculitis, and most of them are rare. Vasculitis might affect just one organ or several. The condition can be short-term or long-lasting.’
Furthermore, the medical information further reads,’ Vasculitis can affect anyone, though some types are more common among certain age groups. Depending on the type you have, you may improve without treatment. Most types require medications to control the inflammation and prevent flare-ups.”
General symptoms of vasculitis include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, fatigue, rash, aches, and pains.
Meanwhile, the disorder might cause severe symptoms such as hearing loss, blindness, ulcers, skin sores, and shortness of breath.
Dr. Peter Merkel, the chief of rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine said that although some symptoms of vasculitis only last days, others persist longer.
He noted, ‘Any nerve damage often takes months to recover from, because the nerves have to regrow, and that happens slowly. Unfortunately, some damage may never recover.’
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