The disease that made singer Madonna have to put a tube in her throat to save her life – How dangerous is it?
Madonna, the famous pop star, has recently revealed that she had to undergo a tracheostomy, a procedure that involves inserting a tube into the windpipe, to treat a rare autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. The inflammation of the thyroid gland can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, joint pain and depression.
In some cases, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can also affect the vocal cords, which are located in the larynx or voice box. The vocal cords vibrate when air passes through them, producing sound. When the vocal cords are inflamed or swollen, they can interfere with the airflow and cause hoarseness, difficulty breathing, coughing and choking.
Madonna said that she suffered from vocal cord paralysis due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which made her unable to sing or speak normally. She said that she had to undergo a tracheostomy to bypass the blocked airway and allow oxygen to reach her lungs.
A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the front of the neck and inserts a tube into the trachea or windpipe. The tube is connected to a ventilator, which helps the patient breathe. A tracheostomy is usually performed as a last resort when other treatments fail or when the patient has a life-threatening condition that affects the breathing.
Madonna said that she recovered from the tracheostomy after six months of intensive therapy and medication. She said that she was grateful for the medical team that saved her life and helped her regain her voice. She also said that she learned to appreciate her health and her ability to express herself through music.