Inside Alan Jackson's Health Battle
Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson is one of the bestselling music artists of all time, but the honky-tonk hitmaker's health problems have forced him to take a step back from his career. As the "Chattahoochee" singer revealed in 2021, he suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a group of inherited, genetic neurological disorders that lead to nerve damage.
Read on for the latest updates on Alan Jackson's health, and whether you can expect to hear more music from him.
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What is Alan Jackson's health condition?
Jackson suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which is also known as "hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy." According to Johns Hopkins, the disease is an inherited nerve abnormality that causes problems in the nerves to your feet, legs, hands and arms. People with the disease may have difficulty walking, in part due to decreased sensation in their lower extremities.
When was Alan Jackson diagnosed?
The "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" singer was diagnosed a decade ago, but he only revealed his struggle to the public in September 2021.
Does Alan Jackson have Parkinson's disease?
Jackson does not have Parkinson's disease, which is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as tremors and difficulty with balance. However, he does suffer from a genetic disorder that impacts his ability to walk called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Related: Alan Jackson Reveals Desire to Return to Music Amid Health Struggles
Can Alan Jackson perform with his disease?
Jackson has been honest about the fact that performing has become increasingly difficult for him.
"[The disease has] been affecting me for years," he said in a 2021 interview with TODAY, during which he publicly revealed his diagnosis for the first time. "And it's getting more and more obvious. And I know I'm stumbling around on stage. And now I'm having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable."
Still, after opening up about his health struggles, Jackson took the stage to pay tribute to Loretta Lynn at CMT's Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn broadcast in November 2022. Next, he's set to perform alongside Kenny Chesney and others at the 2023 CMA Awards to honor the late Jimmy Buffett.
Related: What Was Jimmy Buffett's Cause of Death?
Is Alan Jackson's disease curable?
There's no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but the illness typically progresses slowly, and it's not in and of itself a deadly condition. The symptoms can be managed with physical and occupational therapies, braces and other orthopedic devices. Patients might also require pain medication to manage discomfort that comes with muscle cramps or nerve damage. People who suffer from the disease should speak to their physician about treatment options.
Why did Alan Jackson quit music?
Jackson has not quit music, although he's understandably had to focus more on his health than his career in recent years.
In conversation with his daughter, Mattie Jackson, for the Feb. 21, 2023 episode of her podcast, In Joy Life with Mattie Jackson, the "Remember When" singer shared his thoughts on his future and whether or not he will release new music.
"Yes. I would hope so. I mean, I may not have toured much, but, like I said, the creative part jumps out every now and then," he said.
He went on to say that he's "always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies" and promised that there is "some more music to come, yes.”
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