Imagine Dragons is as American pop-rock bank from Las Vegas, known for their hit songs "Radioactive," "Thunder," and "Believer." Their lead vocalist, Dan Reynolds, surprised fans in 2015 by announcing that he has been diagnosed with two medical conditions. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) at the age of 21, and ankylosing spondylitis at 24. He also has suffered from depression and anxiety.
With the help of rheumatologist Susan Baker, MD, he started treatment and closely examined his diet and exercise routines. One of the first things that had to go was his "cereal addiction" and a diet high in processed foods.
"I went on an anti-inflammatory diet. Everyone is different," he explains. "What works for me is a lot of fish, chicken, rice, vegetables. I'll avoid bread, dairy, and sugar. I eat fruit and get natural sugar, but I avoid anything that's processed."
He also amped up his exercise routine, making it a daily priority and exercising from 1-3 hours/day. Besides weight training, he also does yoga to prevent stiffness and pain. In January 2019, he was even featured in Men's Health. During disease flare-ups, he takes a biologic medication to ease pain and get him back into remission.
Reynolds recommends that anyone struggling with medical or mental health issues try and be kind to yourself and remove stressors in your life:
"Do things every day that will de-stress your life. Treat yourself to whatever shuts your mind off. If I need to listen to my true-crime podcasts, or go to the gym, or read my book, that's what I'm going to do. My priority in life is my health. If my health isn't there, I can't do anything -- I can't be a good dad, a good musician, a good husband. I can't stress the need to de-stress enough."
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disorder that affects the digestive system. This condition is characterized by abnormal inflammation of the mucosal layer of the rectum and colon. The inflammation usually causes ulcers to develop in the large intestine. UC usually appears from ages 15 to 30, although it can develop at any age. The inflammation tends to flare up multiple times throughout life, which causes recurring signs and symptoms.
UC is most common in North America and Western Europe; however, the prevalence is increasing in other regions. In North America, ulcerative colitis affects approximately 40 to 240 in 100,000 people. It is estimated that more than 750,000 North Americans are affected by this disorder. Ulcerative colitis is more common in whites and people of eastern and central European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent than among people of other ethnic backgrounds.
What causes UC?
A variety of genetic and environmental factors are likely involved in the development of UC. Recent studies have identified variations in dozens of genes that may be linked to UC; however, the role of these variations is not completely understood. Researchers speculate that this condition may result from changes in the intestinal lining's protective function or an abnormal immune response to the normal bacteria in the digestive tract, both of which may be influenced by genetic variations.
Several of the genes that may be associated with UC are involved in the protective function of the intestines. The intestinal mucosa provides a barrier that protects the body's tissues from the bacteria that live in the intestines and from toxins that pass through the digestive tract. Researchers speculate that a breakdown of this barrier allows contact between the intestinal tissue and the bacteria and toxins, which can trigger an immune reaction. This immune response may lead to chronic inflammation and the digestive problems characteristic of UC.
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Other possible disease-associated genes are involved in the immune system, particularly in the maturation and function of T cells. Certain genetic variations may make some individuals more prone to an overactive immune response to the bacteria and other microbes in the intestines, which may cause the chronic inflammation that occurs in UC. Another possible explanation is that UC occurs when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the cells of the intestines, causing inflammation.
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