Actor Ashton Kutcher has revealed a recent battle with a rare form of the autoimmune disorder vasculitis, claiming that he feels "lucky to be alive."
Kutcher, best known for his comedic turn on That 70s Show and who recently appeared in the film Vengeance, made the revelation during an exclusive clip from his upcoming appearance on the National Geographic series Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge. During, the actor described his condition as a "weird, super rare form" of the disorder and claimed that impacted his senses.
"Like two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis, that like knocked out my vision, it knocked out my hearing, it knocked out like all my equilibrium," Kutcher told host Bear Grylls.
What Is Vasculitis?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vasculitis refers to a family of disorders that are characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels that cause disrupted blood flow.
There are around 20 distinct kinds of vasculitis, which are differentiated based on the size and the location of the vessels impacted. The disorders can affect vessels as small as capillaries, which are between 5 and 10 micrometers in diameter, and ones as large as the aorta, the main vessel that pumps blood out of the heart.
"Common symptoms include skin rashes, fatigue, weakness, fever, joint pain, vision changes, headaches, nasal congestion and / or bloody nose, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, kidney problems (dark urine), nerve problems (numbness, weakness and pain)," the Cleveland Clinic's official page for vasculitis reads.
Kutcher did not specify which variety of vasculitis he suffered from two years ago, only noting that it was a rarer version of the disorder and, based on the symptoms, a more severe one. All forms of vasculitis are considered rare, affecting around 30 in 100,000 Americans.
Some forms of vasculitis are mild and can resolve on their own over time. Others are considerably more severe and can require active treatment.
"You don't really appreciate it, until it's gone," Kutcher continued. "Until you go, 'I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to see again, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to hear again, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to walk again.'"
What Causes Vasculitis?
The precise causes of vasculitis are not fully understood at this time.
Some are believed to be tied to genetic factors, according to the Mayo Clinic, while others are potentially linked to blood vessels targeting the immune system by mistake.
In general, the disorders can be further complicated by things like age, sex, infections like hepatitis B or C, and the use of substances like tobacco or cocaine.
Newsweek reached out to rheumatology experts at the Cleveland Clinic for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Thomas Kika is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in upstate New York. His focus is reporting on crime and national ... Read more
