American pop star Justin Timberlake has disclosed that he is battling Lyme disease, a condition he described as mentally and physically draining.
The 44-year-old singer made the revelation shortly after concluding his recent tour, shedding light on the health challenges he had faced behind the scenes.
Timberlake shared that he had been grappling with persistent symptoms, including extreme fatigue, pain, and illness, which doctors eventually identified as Lyme disease.
The diagnosis, he said, brought clarity to the physical and mental struggles he endured during performances.
“Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease which I don’t say so you feel bad for me but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” he said.
He acknowledged that some fans had complained about a lack of energy at certain shows but explained that he had been performing under difficult conditions, pushing through intense nerve pain and overwhelming exhaustion.
“Living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness,” Timberlake added.
Lyme disease is an infectious illness caused by bacteria transmitted through tick bites. It is commonly found in forested areas of North America and Europe. Symptoms may vary but often include fever, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and in severe cases, nerve complications.
