Pop star Justin Bieber has revealed that he has partial facial paralysis which is caused by a condition known as the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
In a video, he shared on Instagram on June 11, the 28-year-old pop singer told his fans that he will have to cancel shows because of the diagnosis.
The condition that led to Bieber’s facial paralysis is a rare neurological disorder caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox and herpes zoster.
“The virus can remain dormant in a person who has had chickenpox as a child,” the US-based National Organization for Rare Disorders said.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome include paralysis, drooping, and weakness on one side of the face, which leads to difficulty in emoting, eating, and closing the eye.
This disorder also leads to rashes on the ear, tongue, or roof of the mouth, vertigo, and pain in the ear.
Rarely, the symptoms of the disease include dry eyes and mouth and loss of taste.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, health professionals conduct blood tests for varicella-zoster virus, some skin tests, and an MRI of the head.
