Why is everyone suddenly talking about Cline Dion's medical condition?

A recent interview betweenCline Dion's sister Claudetteand a Quebec magazinehas led to a resurgence of headlines about the Grammy Award-winning singer and her raremedical condition.

On Dec.12,Claudette Diontold 7 Jours magazine that Clinehadlost control of her musclesdue to illness. The comment was made when reporters, who were speaking to Claudette about her own music career, asked about Cline's condition as she dealswith a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome.

The disorder most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time.The spasms often begin in the legs and back but can also affect the abdomen or even the upper trunk, arms, neck and face, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Claudette Dion said in theFrench-language interviewthat her sister is focused on overcoming her illness but that progress has been difficult.

"She is working hard, but she does not have control of her muscles," the elder sister said.

"Vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. That is what really hits me," she added.

Claudette didn't elaborate on which of her sister's muscles are currently affected. However, the interview has been cited in articles published by a host of news agencies, including the New York Daily News, CBS News and The Guardian.

Representatives for Cline Dion did not respond to a request for comment. There hasbeen no formal update on Dion's condition by any medical doctors.

What one expert says about the condition

Stiff person syndome is a chronic condition in which the severity of symptoms can fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, according toDr. Alfonso Fasano, a clinician investigator at the Krembil Brain Institute at UHN and a professor of neurology at the University of Toronto.

Fasanowouldn't speculate on Dion's current condition, but he talked to CBC News about thetwo main types of treatments for the incurable disease.

"The two groups of options are:first one, symptomatic.So we try to cover, to mask the problem, the problem being stiffness. So there are muscle relaxants," he said.

"The other type of treatments we can use are meant to address the overactive immune system.... This can range from simple steroids to plasma exchange, which is a way to remove from the blood pathological antibodies, or even more aggressive forms of immunosuppressants," he added.

Public appearance at a hockey game

On Oct.31, Cline Dion made a surprise stop at an NHL hockey game in Las Vegas to watch the Montreal Canadiens take on the Golden Knights. It was one of her first public appearances since announcingher diagnosislast December.

In a video posted by the Canadiensto several social media platforms,Dion and Habshead coach Martin St. Louis are seen hugging, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries in French.

WATCH | Dion's October visitwith the Montreal Canadiens:

Cline Dion makes surprise appearance at Montreal Canadiens game in Las Vegas

1 year ago

Duration 0:50

In one of her first public appearances since being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, the Canadian icon showed up at a hockey game in Las Vegas with her family to watch her hometown team take on the Golden Knights.

In an interview with CBC News last month, Claudette Dionspoke about her younger sister's condition, calling her "strong and disciplined."

Claudette has offered multiple updates on Cline's condition in recent months, including an Augustinterview with Hello! Canada where she said the spasms "are impossible to control."

Dion was initially determined to persevere through her diagnosis, at first delaying ablock of dates on her Courageworld tour.

In May, shecancelled remaining dates through April 2024.

"I'm not giving up... and I can't wait to see you again," she said at the time.

"Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulty when I walk andnot allowing me to use my vocal cordsto sing the way that I used to," she added.

WATCH | Dion's older sister gives interview on the singer's condition:

Cline Dion's sister offers clues into singer's health

11 months ago

Duration 2:04

Cline Dion's sister, Claudette, revealed how Cline wants to return to the stage despite the debilitating effects of her rare neurological disorder. The details were revealed during an interview with the Quebec arts and culture magazine 7 Jours.

Claudette Dion, who at age 75 is20 years older than Cline, said fans of theMy Heart Will Go On singer continue to send messages of support through the Fondation Maman Dion, the charity created in their mother's name to support children in grade school.

"People tell us they love her and they are praying for her," she said.