Justin Beiber took to Instagram to speak about his health struggles after he postponed three shows on his Justice World Tour.
The 28-year-old pop star recently revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which has caused him to have partial facial paralysis.
The chart-topping pop star – who married Hailey in 2018 – said in a video message: “Hey everyone Justin here, I wanted to update you guys on what’s been going on.
“Obviously as you can probably see with my face. I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome and it is from this virus that attacks the nerves in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis.
“Can’t believe I’m saying this. I’ve done everything to get better, but my sickness is getting worse. My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shows (doctors’ orders.) To all my people I love you so much and I’m gonna rest and get better.”
READ: Justin Bieber Cancels Upcoming Shows Due To Unknown Illness
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head near the inner ear. After having chickenpox as a child or shingles as an adult, the virus can lay dormant in the body. Why the virus reactivates and produces symptoms of Ramsay Hunt is not known.
Symptoms can include a painful rash inside the ear canal and outside the ear, at times attacking the tongue and roof of the mouth. Due to the inner ear involvement, people with the condition can also suffer vertigo (the sensation of dizziness or things spinning around you), or tinnitus, a ringing in the ear.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome can also cause hearing loss on the side of the face affected. Like Bieber, it can also cause a weakness, facial droop or paralysis on the side of the face which has been attacked by the virus.
That weakness can cause difficulty with closing one eye, making facial expressions and eating, as food can fall out of the side of the weakened mouth.
Treatment consists of steroids to reduce inflammation and pain medication. At time, antiviral medicines that help with the herpes family may be prescribed.
The ‘Sorry’ hitmaker and wife Hailey, 25, are trying to support each other through their health issues, and they’ve proven to be a “great team” over recent months. Hailey suffered a mini stroke earlier this year.
