'DWTS' Contestant Jeannie Mai Was Diagnosed With Epiglottis, A Rare Health Condition
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Jeannie Mai surprised fans on Monday, Nov. 2 when she revealed that she’ll need to leave Dancing with the Stars due to a recently-diagnosed health condition. The Real co-host made the announcement via a statement to Good Morning America on Monday.
In the statement, Jeannie said she’s been hospitalized with a condition called epiglottitis: "My doctors discovered a health concern with my throat which requires immediate attention and surgery. I am heartbroken that my DWTS journey has to end here."
"I have pushed myself to new limits physically and mentally, and I am so proud of how far we've come," she added in the statement.
Jeannie’s partner, Brandon Armstrong, also shared a video message with GMA. "Guys, we are devastated by the news that we're gonna have to cut this season short," he said. "But Jeannie's health does come first. Thank you to all the fans that have helped get us this far, and we are praying for a speedy recovery from Jeannie." Jeannie hasn’t shared any updates on her health on social media, and Brandon has only re-posted messages of support from fans and friends on his Instagram Stories.
If you've never heard of epiglottis before, it’s understandable that you might have questions. Here’s what you need to know about the health condition:
So, what is epiglottitis exactly?
Your epiglottis is a small cartilage "lid" that covers your windpipe. It’s usually upright at rest to allow air to pass into your larynx and lungs, Medline Plus explains. When you swallow, the epiglottis folds backward to cover the entrance of the larynx (voice box) so food and liquid don’t get into your windpipe and lungs. After you swallow, the epiglottis goes back to its original upright position.
Epiglottitis is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that happens when the epiglottis swells, blocking the flow of air into your lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What causes epiglottitis?
There are a few different reasons why someone might develop epiglottitis, according to the Mayo Clinic:
Burns from hot liquids
Direct injury to your throat
Various infections, including streptococcus pneumonia, streptococcus A, B, and C, and staphylococcus aureus.
The most common cause used to be infection with haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), the same bacteria that causes pneumonia, meningitis, and infections in the bloodstream, but the Mayo Clinic says that vaccinations have made this cause more rare.
What are the symptoms of epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis can happen at any age, and the symptoms in adults can be slightly different from the ones children may experience. The Mayo Clinic says these are the most common symptoms in adults:
Severe sore throat
Fever
A muffled or hoarse voice
Abnormal, high-pitched sound when breathing in
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Drooling
Epiglottitis can lead to serious complications, like respiratory failure and infections elsewhere in the body.
How is epiglottis treated?
Treatment can be pretty intense. People may need to wear an oxygen mask, be intubated for several days to get oxygen into the lungs, or have a needle inserted into their trachea (i.e. windpipe) to allow air into the lungs, bypassing the larynx.
And, if the epiglottis is due to an infection, it may need to be treated with antibiotics.
As Jeannie said, her doctors have begun a treatment plan that "requires immediate attention and surgery," but not much else is known about the current status of her condition.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery, Jeannie!
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