Logan Reid
Jeannie Mai was hospitalized in 2020 after being diagnosed with epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition that restricts airflow to the lungs. Mai, who was a contestant on the ABC reality dance competition series Dancing with the Stars, experienced a sore throat that turned out to be strep throat and quickly developed into a parapharyngeal abscess. She underwent emergency surgery and had to withdraw from the competition, expressing disappointment about her exit. Mai later shared her gratitude for the support she received during her recovery and reflected on the importance of not taking one's health for granted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Strep throat that turned into a parapharyngeal abscess |
| Diagnosis | Epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition |
| Surgery | Yes |
| Weight loss | 15 lbs |
| Diet | No solids, starches, meat, bread, crackers |
| Recovery | Difficult, particularly due to lack of sleep |
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What You'll Learn
Jeannie Mai had to undergo emergency surgery
Jeannie Mai underwent emergency surgery after being diagnosed with epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition. Epiglottitis occurs when the epiglottis, a small cartilage 'lid' that covers the windpipe, swells and blocks airflow to the lungs. Mai's condition was discovered after a sore throat developed into a throat abscess, which spread to other areas of her neck and ears within three days.
Mai, a TV personality and co-host of "The Real", was a contestant on Season 29 of "Dancing with the Stars" when she received the diagnosis. She shared her sadness about having to withdraw from the competition, expressing her gratitude for the experience and thanking her partner Brandon Armstrong for his support. Mai also encouraged her fans to continue voting for the remaining teams.
In a video recorded from her hospital room, Mai opened up about the procedure, explaining that her tonsils and throat had become so infected that the infection spread to other areas. She expressed her devastation about having to end her journey on "Dancing with the Stars" but was thankful that her condition was caught in time. Mai also acknowledged Dr. Nasseri, who identified her life-threatening condition.
Mai's emergency surgery was successful, and she shared updates about her recovery on social media. Two weeks after the surgery, she posted a video on Instagram, joking about her recovery process with the caption, "No chewing, no speaking, no bad t-shirts." She also expressed gratitude for her mother's support during her recovery.
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Mai was diagnosed with epiglottitis
Jeannie Mai was diagnosed with a severe case of epiglottitis, a rare inflammatory condition that affects the epiglottis and surrounding structures in the upper throat, including the arytenoid soft tissue, aryepiglottic folds, valleculae, base of the tongue, soft palate, and uvula. This condition can be life-threatening due to the potential for rapid airway obstruction.
Mai initially experienced a sore throat, which she believed to be strep throat. However, it quickly progressed into a parapharyngeal abscess, causing significant breathing difficulties. Her symptoms included a high-pitched sound while breathing, known as stridor, and cyanosis, which is indicated by blue skin coloring.
Epiglottitis is primarily caused by bacterial infections, with Haemophilus influenza type b being the most common pathogen, accounting for over 90% of pediatric cases. It can also be caused by non-type b H. influenza in vaccinated individuals. Other bacterial causes include mycobacteria, Bacteroides melaninogenicus, Enterobacter cloacae, and Escherichia coli, among others. Viral etiologies, such as herpes simplex viruses and Epstein-Barr virus, are less common.
The treatment for epiglottitis requires immediate emergency care, including close monitoring of the patient's airway and, if necessary, assisted breathing with machines. Intravenous (IV) therapy with antibiotics is crucial to treating the bacterial infection. The timely initiation of treatment is essential for a successful recovery.
Mai's condition required emergency surgery and forced her to withdraw from the ABC reality dance competition series, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). She expressed gratitude for the correct diagnosis and urgent medical attention, acknowledging the life-threatening nature of her condition.
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She had to withdraw from 'Dancing With the Stars'
Jeannie Mai was hospitalized and forced to withdraw from season 29 of Dancing With the Stars after being diagnosed with epiglottitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition. Epiglottitis occurs when the epiglottis, a small cartilage 'lid' that covers the windpipe, swells, blocking airflow to the lungs. Mai underwent emergency surgery to address the condition, and while the procedure was successful, she was left devastated by her early exit from the competition.
Mai expressed her sadness at not being able to continue on Dancing With the Stars, stating that her doctors had discovered a health concern with her throat that required immediate attention and surgery. She shared her gratitude for the support of her partner Brandon Armstrong and her fans, wishing the remaining competitors the best of luck. Mai's pro-dancing partner, Armstrong, also shared his disappointment, calling Mai's early exit devastating news.
Mai's diagnosis and subsequent surgery were unexpected, with the TV personality initially experiencing only a sore throat. However, the condition progressed rapidly, and she was fortunate to receive a timely diagnosis. Mai shared that the infection had spread beyond her tonsils and throat, permeating to other areas behind her neck and ears, ultimately requiring emergency surgery.
Mai's journey on Dancing With the Stars ended abruptly, and she was unable to say goodbye to the show and her competitors in person. However, the series aired a heartfelt and empowering video package in her honor, showcasing her memorable moments on the show. Mai took to Instagram to share her experience, expressing gratitude for her medical team and sadness about her departure from the competition. She also encouraged her fans to continue supporting the remaining teams and spread her votes across the final eight superstar teams.
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Mai was underweight and malnourished post-surgery
In 2020, Jeannie Mai was hospitalized due to a health scare. The TV host and celebrity contestant on "Dancing With the Stars" had to exit the show as she was diagnosed with epiglottitis, a sometimes life-threatening inflammatory condition that can restrict airflow to the lungs due to swelling. Mai described how her sore throat turned out to be strep throat, which quickly escalated into a parapharyngeal abscess. She was "devastated, mortified, upset, and in tears" as she had to withdraw from the competition and take a break from her role as a host on the daytime talk show "The Real".
Post-surgery, Mai was underweight and malnourished. She lost a significant amount of weight and strength, 15 pounds in total, due to bed rest and her restricted diet during recovery. Mai described the challenges she faced while eating, stating that she could not consume solid or hot foods and had difficulty sleeping due to coughing fits and bleeding. She expressed gratitude for the support she received and her survival, acknowledging that she could not take her health for granted.
Mai's fiancé, rapper Jeezy, played a crucial role in her recovery. He encouraged her to seek emergency medical attention, and she credited him for forcing her to go to the hospital. Mai's health scare and surgery served as a reminder of the fragility of health and the importance of timely medical intervention. During her recovery, she gradually reintroduced solid foods and continued her journey towards regaining her strength and returning to full health.
Mai's experience highlights the potential complications and challenges that can arise during recovery from emergency surgery. It underscores the importance of prioritizing health and seeking professional medical advice and treatment. Mai's transparency about her experience, including her physical condition and emotional struggles, provides valuable insights into the impact of emergency surgery and the road to recovery.
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She experienced difficulties sleeping during recovery
Jeannie Mai was hospitalised in 2020 due to a health scare. Mai, a TV host, had to exit the show 'Dancing With the Stars' due to this health issue. Mai was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition called epiglottitis, which can restrict airflow to the lungs due to swelling. Mai described the experience as "traumatic", and she was devastated to have to withdraw from the competition.
Mai underwent emergency surgery and experienced a challenging recovery process. One of the biggest challenges she faced was difficulty sleeping. She explained that when she fell asleep, even the slightest movement would trigger a coughing fit, which was extremely painful and could cause bleeding. As a result, she had to be cautious and avoid deep sleep to prevent these coughing fits. This meant that she couldn't fully relax and enter a state of slumber, which likely took a toll on her physical and mental health during her recovery.
Mai also experienced weight loss and felt physically weak during this time. She expressed gratitude for the support she received from her loved ones and fans, including her fiancé, rapper Jeezy. She acknowledged the seriousness of her condition and the importance of not taking her health for granted.
Mai's experience highlights the challenges that can arise during recovery from a health issue. Sleep difficulties can impede the healing process and impact an individual's overall well-being. It is crucial to address such challenges and provide support to ensure a smooth and healthy recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
Jeannie Mai was hospitalised due to a health scare. She was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition called epiglottitis, which restricts airflow to the lungs due to swelling.
Mai initially had a sore throat, which turned out to be strep throat that quickly developed into a parapharyngeal abscess. She described her breathing as sounding like "Darth Vader".
Mai had to take time off from hosting her daytime talk show, The Real, and she also had to withdraw from the ABC reality dance competition series, Dancing With the Stars.
