Afew days ago, it became known that  Celine Dion suffers from stiff person syndrome, a rare disease that has forced her to cancel her tour.

The artist is not the only one with a rare condition, as there is an actress who has suffered from thrombocytopenic purpura for more than 15 years.

Celine Dion diagnosed with 'Stiff Person Syndrome', an incurable neurological disease

Julia Roberts struggles with this disease, which is characterized by a decrease in platelets.

Although the pathology has never prevented her from continuing her professional career,  Julia Roberts has to undergo treatment on a daily basis, just like anyone else who suffers from it.

The symptoms of thrombocytopenic purpura

The 'Pretty Woman' star became alarmed by the appearance of several bruises and her husband,  Daniel Moder, was the one who asked her to visit a doctor to see what was going on.

When she did, she was diagnosed with thrombocytopenic purpura, which can sometimes have no symptoms, but if it does, they are as follows:

Bruising and excessive bruising. Bleeding of the skin, which appear as rashes, on the lower legs. Bleeding from the gums and nose. Bloody urine and/or stools. Heavy menstrual flow.

What is thrombocytopenic purpura and how is it treated?

This disease is caused by the immune organs creating antibodies against platelets, which causes the spleen to destroy them, thus lowering the levels of platelets in the body.

Treatment for thrombocytopenic purpura is sometimes reduced to medical check-ups that test platelet levels, according to specialised websites.

The usual approach is to focus on increasing the number of platelets and, in more severe cases, to remove the spleen directly.

The drugs used for  Julia Roberts' disease range from steroids to immunoglobulin, romiplostim, eltrombopag and rituximab, all of which are designed to increase platelet levels and also reduce the immune system's response, since it tries to destroy them.