The weekend that passed saw the end of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. For someone who had the world at his feet, to die so early with serious medical problems, seems like a tragedy. “It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known,” his brother Jermaine said.
Cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from pumping blood to the body. It can occur after a heart attack or be caused by other heart problems. Michael Jackson also suffered from a skin disorder called VITILIGO. This disease explained his rather unusually changing looks. Medically, Vitiligo is a relatively common disorder that causes depigmentation in patches of skin. It occurs when the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation which are derived from the neural crest, die or are unable to function.
People who develop vitiligo usually first notice white patches (depigmentation) on their skin. These patches are more commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, genitals, and rectal areas. In addition to white patches on the skin, people with vitiligo may have premature graying of the scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard. People with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.
While vitiligo is usually not harmful medically, its emotional and psychological effects can be devastating. Some people who have vitiligo feel embarrassed, ashamed, depressed, or worried about how others will react. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help people cope with vitiligo. Also, various treatments can minimize, camouflage, or, in some cases, even eliminate the white patches.
