Singer Jessie J spent her Christmas Eve in a Los Angeles hospital after being struck down with Meniere’s disease. The 32-year-old artist disclosed her illness on a recent Instagram Live in which she revealed that she had difficulty hearing, singing and walking in a straight line because of the disease.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic and progressive ear condition that can cause sudden attacks of dizzy spells vertigo and loss of hearing. The disease may cause sufferers to feel like their world is spinning, lose their balance and feel sick.
There’s no treatment for the disease but there are medications available for controlling vertigo nausea and vomiting.
The “Flashlight” singer updated worried fans on what happened. She explained that she woke up and felt she was completely deaf in the right ear and couldn’t walk in a straight line.
“Basically I got told I had Meniere’s syndrome. I know that a lot of people suffer from it and I’ve actually had a lot of people reach out to me and give me great advice, so I’ve just been laying low in silence.”
“Now’s the first time I’ve been able to sing and bear it. I just miss singing so much and being around anyone.”
The star went on, “’It could be way worse, it is what it is. I’m super-grateful for my health. It just threw me off”
The artist added that she was glad she was quick to go to the hospital and was immediately put on the right medicine, which contributed to her fast recovery. If left untreated, Meniere’s disease can result in permanent hearing loss.
On Christmas Day, Jessie J posted a selfie on Instagram, where she confirmed that she had been diagnosed of the Meniere’s disease. She also detailed all the things she did after she was diagnosed, and how it gave her “BIG weird non traditional Christmas Eve vibes”. Her post was flooded with sympathetic messages from friends and fans.
Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage commented, “Menieres NOT fun…I feel your pain”.
Symptoms of Meniere’s disease (some can last for minutes to a few hours)
- Feeling like the room is spinning (vertigo)
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Ear pressure felt inside the ear
- Hearing loss
- Feeling sick
What you need to do during an attack:
- Take your medication
- Sit or lie down
- Close your eyes
- Keep your head still
- Only move slowly if you have to move at all
