What is stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition Celine Dion suffers from? (2024)

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What is stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition Celine Dion suffers from? ›

Stiff-person syndrome is an autoimmune and neurological condition that affects roughly 1 or 2 out of every 1 million people. Symptoms include stiffening in the torso and limbs, along with severe muscle spasm episodes.

Dion has been living with symptoms of stiff person syndrome for 17 years, she reveals in the documentary. The autoimmune disorder causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can leave her unable to move. A moment at the end of the documentary shows her spasms becoming so severe that they turn into a medical crisis.

Updates on singer's stiff person syndrome diagnosis. Dion is currently battling a serious neurological condition called stiff person syndrome. Here's what we know. Céline Dion is opening up about her health like never before in a new documentary, "I Am: Céline Dion," available to stream on Prime Video on June 25.

Patients typically present with initial symptoms between 40 and 60 years, although the onset has been reported in patients who are younger than 40 years and older than 60 years. From symptom onset to death, the course of SPS can range from 6-28 years.

Céline Dion is opening up about the moment she finally decided to share her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis. Dion, who was diagnosed in 2022, said in an NBC interview set to air Tuesday that she felt like she was "lying" to her fans.

It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder — in autoimmune conditions, the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues. Similar to other autoimmune conditions, SPS affects more women than men. Most people with stiff person syndrome have unique antibodies in their blood that are made by the body.

There is no cure for Stiff Person Syndrome. When doctors treat patients with this condition, they focus on relieving symptoms with medications such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and steroids. Intravenous Immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis, among other immunotherapies, may also be prescribed.

There is no cure for SPS, Yale Medicine notes. But there are treatments to help relieve symptoms – including various medications and immunotherapies prescribed by doctors and different types of physical therapy. SPS can be terminal in rare cases, Desai explained. "It's a rare disease to begin with.

Who is more likely to get stiff-person syndrome? SPS affects twice as many females as males. It is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases such as type-I diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anemia.

The spasms can either impact the entire body or just a specific area. The legs are the most commonly impacted area for these spasms and often lead to falls. The abdominal area can also experience spasms, causing a person to feel fuller faster and lead to unintended weight loss.

What are the first symptoms of SPS? ›

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, progressive neurological disorder. Symptoms may include: Stiff muscles in the trunk (torso), arms, and legs. Greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.

Since his diagnosis, Mr Alderson has been unable to do many of the activities he previously could, such as driving, cleaning, cooking, and walking the dog – and is even unable to hug his family. The rare, progressive neurological disorder causes stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs.

If your provider suspects stiff person syndrome, they may offer tests, which could include: Antibody blood test: A blood test can check for the presence of antibodies to GAD (or other relevant antibodies) and for other signs that might indicate or rule out other diseases.

SPS, formerly called stiff man syndrome, is a rare disease caused by an abnormal immune response. This neurological disorder occurs in only 1 to 2 people per million. Doctors sometimes misdiagnose it as other autoimmune disorders besides MS as well, such as Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia.