If you had plans to check out Céline Dion at her Las Vegas residency early this spring, we’re sad to tell you things are on hold. The pop star just announced she is canceling shows scheduled through April 18^th due to a medical issue.

Dion has been battling a chronic ear condition that affects her ability to sing, and it is to the point where she is requiring surgery. A message was posted on Facebook for fans:

“We regret to inform you that the performances of Céline at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace scheduled for March 27 through April 18 have been cancelled. Céline has been dealing with a condition in her middle ear known as Patulous Eustachian tube, which causes hearing irregularities, and makes it extremely difficult to sing.

She has been experiencing this condition for the past 12-18 months but it has been successfully treated with various ear drop medications. During the past couple of weeks these medications have no longer been working to treat the condition, so she will undergo a minimally invasive surgical procedure to correct the problem.

‘My luck hasn’t been very good lately… I’ve been so looking forward to doing my shows again and this happens…. I just can’t believe it! I apologize to everyone who planned to travel to Las Vegas to see my show. I know how disappointing this is, and I’m so sorry.’ – Céline”

Patulous Eustachian tube (PET) is a condition that causes the eustachian tube to stay open most of (or all) the time. The tube is located between the middle ear and throat and helps to equalize pressure near the ear drum and middle ear. That is typically the only time it opens.

In people who have PET, they may be affected by a group of symptoms including echo sounds in the ear, sounds of shouting when hearing one’s own voice (autophony), or having a feeling that your ear is filled with something (like air). Simply hearing something becomes torture.

It can become unbearably comfortable to speak, sing, or move – because a person’s movements can cause the tube to open and stay open extended periods of time. While the exact cause is yet to be discovered, scientists believe that there are certain risk factors involved, including but not limited to:

• Weight loss (wears down the fat padding around the tube’s valve)
• Certain medications (diuretics, hormonal drugs)
• TMJ
• Stroke, MS, other conditions that affect the neurological system
• Pregnancy
• Stress

Treatment usually entails managing symptoms with a saline solution or nasal spray, or engaging in activities that provide short-term relief. In cases like Céline Dion’s, surgery is recommend so that the patient can have a normal quality of life.

Some individuals give up activities like acting, playing music, or singing because PET is so rough and painful to live with. Even breathing can be frustrating.

For many sufferers of PET, surgery successfully quells any symptoms. After her surgery, Dion is expected to resume her shows in May. Here’s to hoping for a healthy recovery!

Are you familiar with Céline Dion’s condition? Will you be missing one of her performances?

Source:

NIH