Solange Knowles is known for her ethereal presence and artistic mystique in her music, but this month she revealed a powerful truth: she's been diagnosed with multiple health conditions since 2018.
In a Reel posted to Instagram by model and fellow musician Shaun Ross, 33, got real about his experience with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that followed his bout with long COVID. Solange left an empathetic comment, shedding light on her own experiences with the "debilitating, confusing, and lonely" symptoms of the condition that is POTS. The singer also went on to reveal she had been diagnosed with Sjogren's and MCAS in 2018.
"Sending u so much love and strength Shaun and to all in the comments struggling with the debilitating, confusing, and lonely symptoms of POTS !" Solange wrote in her comment, adding, "I got diagnosed with POTS, Sjogrens and Mcas in 2018 and really relate to not wanting your health to be your identity."
What Is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?
According to WebMD, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is "a disorder in which most of your blood stays in your lower body when you stand up, and in response, your heart rate jumps." The condition occurs when the autonomic nervous system isn't working properly and symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, fainting, and a rapid heartbeat.
Per Dysautonomia International, a resource Solange shouted out in her comment, doctors currently diagnose POTS when there’s a spike in heart rate—by at least 30 beats per minute or reaching over 120 beats per minute—within the first 10 minutes of standing up. While there's no cure, the condition can be managed through lifestyle changes and medication.
What Is Sjogren's Syndrome?
Per Cleveland Clinic, "Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that happens when your immune system damages the glands that produce and control moisture in your body."
The long-term immune system disorder is often identified by its two most common symptoms of dry mouth and dry eyes, per Mayo Clinic, and "often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus."
What Is Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)?
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is an immunological condition where the body’s immune cells, called mast cells, go into overdrive and release too many chemicals into the body.
Per the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, those with MCAS experience "repeated episodes of the symptoms of anaphylaxis – allergic symptoms such as hives, swelling, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and severe diarrhea. High levels of mast cell mediators are released during those episodes."
For those with MCAS, managing these flare-ups can be challenging, as the triggers and symptoms vary widely.
Solange's recent revelation serves as a bit of a health update from the star who first revealed she was 'quietly treating' an autonomic disorder when she had to cancel an NYE performance for Afropunk Fest in South Africa. In a since-deleted Instagram post, she wrote, "The past five months I have been quietly treating, and working through an autonomic disorder. [It’s] been a journey that hasn’t been easy on me… Sometimes I feel cool, and other times not so cool at all."
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Featured image by Getty Images
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