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Wendy Williams returned toThe Wendy Williams Show Monday after a long hiatus and had some surprising health news to share with viewers: Wendy, 54, revealed that she was recently diagnosed with lymphedema.
The talk show host has suffered from multiple health concerns, including hyperthyroidism and Graves disease. Wendy has been open about her ongoing health struggles and took time off to focus on her health earlier this year.
Wendy explained her swollen ankles visible in paparazzi images are due to the lymphedema. Lymphedema, by the way, Ive been diagnosed, she explained on air, People reported. Its not going to kill me, but I do have a machine-and how dare you talk about the swelling of it all.
View this post on Instagram Wendys back Monday and Im feeling like... Which WENDY are you? New episodes start July 8th! #wendywilliams #mood #summermood A post shared by Wendy Williams (@wendyshow) on Jul 2, 2019 at 7:29am PDT
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Wendy also noted her swollen ankles during a previous show. My ankles and my feet are swelling as we speak. This here is embarrassing," she reportedly said according to US Weekly .
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), lymphedema is a type of swelling that typically happens in the arms and legs. This happens, per the NLM, when there is inadequate lymph drainage in the body and lymphatic fluid, which contains white blood cells, builds up under the skin.
Some causes of lymphedema include infection, scar tissue pertaining to the lymph nodes, inherited lymph node issues, or cancer. According to the NLM, treatment can help control symptoms and typically includes exercise, compression devices, skin care, and massage therapy.
Wendy isn't letting the new diagnosis get her down. She said she's currently dating a doctor and has a treatment plan for her condition. Ive got it under control. If [the swelling] in my feet never goes all the way down, at least I have this machine, she shared with her audience. I sit for 45 minutes a day. Its the best party entertainer ever. Everybody [that] comes over wants to do it.
Here's hoping Wendy keeps up her signature sense of humor during her treatment.