Jonathan Ross has shared the extent of his daughter Betty's health battle, after her diagnosis with life-changing illness fibromyalgia.
The popular talk show host appeared on ITV's Loose Women earlier in the week where he said that since being diagnosed she had faced a "tough few years". Jonathan told the panel, including host Kaye Adams, Denise Welch and Frankie Bridge, that at first, the family thought Betty had long covid before being given a different diagnosis.
The dad said: "She has fibromyalgia and she has chronic fatigue syndrome and POTS syndrome as well, which is where your heart rate shoots up.” Jonathan candidly spoke about just how large an impact Betty's health battle has had on her life and how the family do things as a whole.
READ MORE: Expert's warning over dieting mistakes and fads ahead of New Year
He said: "She still can't walk very far. We got her an electric wheelchair in the summer, so we can at least go out and go for walks with the dogs and that's lifted her spirits a lot.
“Because that's the problem, if anyone out there who knows or who's got someone with a long term illness, you know, it's the depression. Being stuck indoors and not being able to join in with things because even stairs are a challenge to her. So if we're going out we have to give her plenty of time to get ready, get downstairs and then have a rest before we go to the next step, you know."
What is fibromyalgia?
According to the NHS website fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.
It's also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by things that are physical or emotional like an injury, an infection or stress.
Although there's currently no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with. Lifestyle changes, therapies and medicine can all help to ease the symptoms.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
As well as widespread pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- increased sensitivity to pain
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, which can make you feel very tired (fatigue)
- problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
- feelings of frustration, worry or low mood
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are changeable – for example, they can sometimes suddenly improve or get worse. You should see a GP if you think you have fibromyalgia.
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
For more celeb news, videos and pictures follow our designated Facebook page HERE
READ NEXT:
Coronation Street star announces she's pregnant as she shares bump picture
Top ten discontinued chocolate bars we all miss
Emmerdale fans taken aback by warning before show starts
'Big bang' heard on TUI flight after trainee co-pilot's mistake at Manchester Airport
