Ashton Kutcher’s Vasculitis, A Rare Autoimmune Disorder: What Is It?

Actor Ashton Kutcher recently revealed his battle with an autoimmune disease that affected his hearing, vision and ability to walk.

Access Hollywood obtained footage from an interview on Monday night’s episode of National Geographic’s “Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge,” in which the actor talked about a rare autoimmune disorder he developed not long ago much and called vasculitis.

The 44-year-old actor said in the interview: “Two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis, which, like, knocked out my vision, knocked out my hearing, knocked out, like… my whole balance,” according to the Access Hollywood report.

ASHTON KUTCHER REVEALS VASCULITIS DIAGNOSIS, SAYS HE COULDN’T WALK, TALK OR HEAR

Kutcher also said in the interview, “You don’t really appreciate it until it’s gone. Until you’re like, ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again, I don’t know if’ I’ll ever hear again, no I know if I’ll be able to walk again.”

In this April 15, 2018, file photo, Ashton Kutcher arrives at the 53rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Vasculitis Foundation says that “vasculitis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the blood vessels.”

It also notes: “It is used to describe a family of nearly 20 rare diseases, characterized by the narrowing, weakening, or scarring of blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow and damage vital organs and tissues.”

The disease can affect blood vessels such as arteries, capillaries and veins.

The Cleveland Clinic’s Vasculitis Care and Research Center said on its website that vasculitis is an autoimmune disease, in which the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissue, which contributes to inflammation of the blood vessels. .

Researchers now believe that this inflammatory response may be triggered by infections, medications, environmental or genetic factors, allergic reactions, or another disease process.

Ashton Kutcher along with his wife, Mila Kunis, whom he met when they were both filming “That ’70s Show,” which ran for eight seasons.

The disease can affect blood vessels such as arteries, capillaries and veins, and symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary from person to person, Cleveland Clinic experts said.

Symptoms also depend on the tissues and organs affected.

The actor said it took about a year to regain his senses, according to media reports.

The rheumatologists said while some forms of vasculitis may get better on their own, others may require lifelong medical care.

Treatment of the disease depends on the specific type of vasculitis and the areas/organs involved, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Treatment may include the use of corticosteroids or, in some cases, drugs that suppress the immune system.

Ashton Kutcher said he’s “lucky to be alive,” according to a new interview.
(Getty Images)

Regardless of the severity, health experts said early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.

The actor said it took about a year to regain his senses, according to media reports. “I’m lucky to be alive,” Kutcher said in the interview.

Blood vessel and heart scans, as well as tissue biopsies, may also be performed.

Common symptoms of the disease include the list below, according to the Ceveland Clinic.

Skin rashes

fatigue

weakness

fever

Joint pains

A stomachache

Kidney problems (including dark or bloody urine)

Nerve problems (including numbness, weakness, and pain)

Cough and/or difficulty breathing

Other symptoms may also occur, depending on the area of ​​the body affected by vasculitis.

The Cleveland experts noted that if a small blood vessel is affected, it could rupture, producing small areas of bleeding in the tissue that appear as small red or purple dots on the skin.

Ashton Kutcher, 44, has two children with his wife, Mila Kunis.
(Reuters)

They also noted that a nodule or lump on the skin might be noticed when a larger blood vessel near the surface of the skin becomes inflamed.

A doctor can diagnose vasculitis based on symptoms, a person’s medical history, physical exam, and laboratory tests. Blood vessel and heart scans, as well as tissue biopsies, may also be performed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Kutcher, who shares two children with wife Mila Kunis, whom he met when they filmed their hit TV series, “That ’70s Show,” talked about overcoming challenges.

“The moment you start seeing your obstacles as things made for you, to give you what you need, that’s when life starts to be fun, right?” Kutcher said in the Bear Grylls interview, according to Access Hollywood.

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He added: “Start sailing above your problems instead of living under them.”