Strictly star Amy Dowden has opened up about an ongoing health issue she’s currently experiencing.
The Welsh dancer – who is in remission for breast cancer – has a chronic health condition, Crohn’s, that she has suffered with since she was 11 years old.
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Strictly star Amy Dowden on Crohn’s battle
The Strictly star, 34, recently appeared on the Aimee Fuller podcast, Monday Mile, to discuss her health condition.
During the chat, the star revealed that the symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be worse than childbirth. She also revealed that when she has a flare-up, she can suffer up to five blackouts per day.
Crohn’s is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Some of the symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint pain, fever, fatigue and vomiting.
There is no cure. Treatment merely aims to reduce symptoms.
Amy has been suffering from the symptoms since she was 11 years old. However, it wasn’t until she was 19 that she was diagnosed with the condition.
Amy Dowden talks Crohn’s Disease
“If you think, a woman is designed for childbirth, you don’t pass out during childbirth. I can have four to five blackouts because the pain is that much that my body can’t control it,” she confessed on the podcast.
The star then continued.
I can have four to five blackouts because the pain is that much that my body can’t control it.
“I get swollen eyes, inflammation to my joints, my skin, but I’m very, very lucky that I work with the most incredible team and a lot of my severe symptoms are now under control and in remission,” she said.
The star has been to hospital more than 100 times in her life due to flare-ups from the condition.
Amy pays tribute to late friend
Earlier this month, Amy paid tribute to a friend of hers who died following a battle with cancer.
Taking to Instagram, Amy revealed that her friend and treatment partner, Hannah, had sadly passed away from breast cancer.
They met in the hospital whilst undergoing treatment.
“Life is cruel and I truly hate cancer! A beautiful soul, Hannah I met during treatment,” Amy wrote.
The star then explained their “appointments always aligned” so they got to sit together and “have a good natter” about the world.
“I spoke about Hannah on Loose Women. She immediately messaged me to say thank you and she loved it,” she then continued.
Amy described her pal as “the most genuine mother and soul”. Sadly, Hannah’s twin daughters had “already lost their dad to the horrible disease”.
“The news has hit me quite hard. I’m gutted and angry. RIP beautiful Hannah. What a woman!”
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