Top 10 Inspiring Celebrities With Chronic Illnesses

This upbeat singer-songwriter is unstoppable. But in 2010, Sia took a break from performing. She felt sluggish and suffered panic attacks, and at one point even considered retiring. Sia then tweeted that she was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. With this autoimmune disorder, the thyroid gland is larger and runs faster than usual. Patients often suffer from bulging eyes, irritability, fatigue, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Luckily, it’s treatable. While Sia still has Graves’ Disease, she reportedly feels much better after undergoing thyroid hormone replacement therapy. To put it in her words, she “never gives up!”

There’s very little that this reality star keeps private, including her long-time battle with psoriasis. Both Kim and mom Kris have this autoimmune disease, which causes itchy, red, and scaly patches of skin. Psoriasis runs in families, and can appear all over the body. Kim even gets flare-ups on her face! While there’s no cure for psoriasis, it is, thankfully, treatable. Like many patients, Kim keeps her symptoms under control with cortisone shots. Her condition may be painful and visible, but it doesn’t stop her from running a media empire or owning the spotlight.

This lovable actor, director, and producer has an award-winning career. He’s also one of nearly 30 million Americans with diabetes. Hanks has reportedly had elevated blood sugar levels since he was 36, but now has Type 2 diabetes. He admits to leading an unhealthy lifestyle for many years, which likely culminated in his diagnosis. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, however, Type 2 diabetes is curable. Hanks has since followed a healthier diet, which could reverse his condition. While he jokes that he won’t reach his high school weight, we’re rooting for him!

Whether he’s playing God or narrating the lives of penguins, we can’t get enough of this legendary actor. But behind his golden voice and prestigious career, Morgan Freeman suffers from fibromyalgia. This disorder causes chronic pain, fatigue, and even memory and mood issues. Fibromyalgia can be genetic, but Freeman believes he developed the condition after a car accident in 2008. Freeman broke his left arm, and elbow in the crash, injured his shoulder, and even suffered nerve damage. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but Freeman says that marijuana helps relieve his pain. Despite his condition, he’s still one of Hollywood’s favourite faces and voices.

This writer and actress is an open book, even when it comes to her health. Lena Dunham had endometriosis, a condition that affects up to 1 in 10 women. With this disease, uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, which can cause painful periods, pain during sex, and even infertility if left untreated. As of 2017, Dunham is endo-free after undergoing five surgeries. By sharing her experience with endometriosis, Dunham has shed light on a disease that has long been misdiagnosed or flat out dismissed – giving hope to millions of women in the same boat.

Lyme Disease