Celebrities who have autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are more common than you might think. Just like anyone else, celebrities may have to live with them and fight a daily struggle in search of well-being.

In the image: Celine Dion

Autoimmune diseases are a group of illnesses in which the immune system attacks the body itself rather than protecting it from outside threats.

In the image: Kim Kardashian

It is difficult to specify general symptoms for autoimmune diseases. They vary from person to person and can manifest themselves differently.

In the image: Toni Braxton

There are more than 100 types of autoimmune diseases. Among the best known are diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

In the image: Gigi Hadid

Celine Dion is known to suffer from an autoimmune disease. This group of illnesses tends to have no cure.

One of the more complex and lesser-known autoimmune diseases is stiff person syndrome, which affects Celine Dion.

According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders, stiff person syndrome is rare, and progressive and affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.

Another star with an autoimmune disease, lupus, is singer and actress Selena Gomez. She underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 and shared the success of the surgery on social media.

According to a study published in the journal Nature, a team of researchers identified that lupus can be genetic, as is the case with Lady Gaga.

The singer told on Larry King Live: "Lupus is in my family and it's genetic... I have to take good care of myself..."

Lady Gaga comforted the audience by declaring that "As of right now, I don't have it." She explained: "I don't show any signs, any symptoms of lupus."

Lupus also affects singers Seal (photo) and Toni Braxton.

Kim Kardashian is also living with autoimmune diseases. She has lupus and psoriasis - a disease that causes skin cells to build up, causing sores.

Actress Zoe Saldana has Hashimoto's syndrome or thyroiditis. The disease is characterized by constant inflammation in the thyroid and is treated through hormonal supplementation.

Gigi Hadid and Gina Rodriguez are also living with Hashimoto's syndrome. It can cause problems with weight loss, which especially bothered Rodriguez when she first got her diagnosis.

As the 'Jane the Virgin' actress told Vogue magazine: "I rejected the fact that I had a disease... I went against the current by saying, 'Hollywood has to accept me because I'm curvy, and that's just the way it is.' But I wasn't accepting me."

As many people with autoimmune diseases, Rodriguez had to accept the fact that she would be limited by her illness. Still, her talent helped her overcome all obstacles.

Celebrities with autoimmune diseases can inspire others with the same conditions to keep believing in themselves.

In the image: Oprah Winfrey