Vasculitis: The serious autoimmune disease that almost left Ashton Kutcher blind

Hollywood superstar, Ashton Kutcher recently disclosed that he suffered from a debilitating case of vasculitis, an autoimmune disease that affected his sight, hearing and mobility, CNN reports. Here’s what to know about the condition.

‘I’m lucky to be alive’

In an exclusive video from an upcoming episode of National Geographic's ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge’, Kutcher, 44, said he had a rare kind of the condition about two years ago which adversely affected his ability to see, hear and walk. He added that it took him a year to get back on his feet and that he felt lucky to have survived it.

You don't really appreciate it until it's gone, until you go, 'I don't know if I'm ever gonna be able to see again. I don't know if I'm gonna be able to hear again, I don't know if I'm going to be able to walk again. I'm lucky to be alive.

Director of Groundhog Day, Harold Ramis lost his life to this same condition in 2014 after battling it for four years.

Vasculitis

According to CNN, this condition often occurs when the body's immune system attacks veins, arteries and small capillaries resulting in reduced or suspended flow of blood which can result in organ damage or aneurysm, (a bulge in the wall of a blood vessel).

This is particularly dangerous because a burst aneurysm can cause internal bleeding, leading to death. However, general symptoms of vasculitis can range from mild to life-threatening depending on the organs involved, according to the National Institutes of Health. Common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, rash, aches, pains and fever.

You may have other symptoms depending on the part of the body that is affected and if the vasculitis is serious.

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