This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
On July 9, 2019, media personality Wendy Williams shared her diagnosis with lymphedema, a chronic condition causing swelling in her ankles.
Lymphedema is an incurable disorder of the lymphatic system, a network of channels and glands that remove excess fluid and help fight infections.
According to the FDA, breast implants can cause lymphedema by tampering with the lymphatic system, a condition Williams lives with alongside Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism.
Williams' diagnosis comes after a tumultuous period in her life, including a divorce from her husband of 21 years, Kevin Hunter, a stint in hospital for a fractured shoulder, and time in a sober house after battling alcoholism and cocaine addiction.
Williams has been open about her struggles with addiction and her efforts to maintain her health, including cutting down on salt, alcohol, and caffeine, which can exacerbate swelling.
‘And how dare you talk about the swelling of it all! It’s lymphedema. And I’ve got it under control,’ Williams said by way of conclusion.
