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Nerve injury giving singer Akothee sleepless, painful nights

The self-proclaimed President of Single Mothers Esther Akoth alias Akothee was recently hospitalized. The celebrated singer who has been accused by some relatives of faking the illness, took to Instagram to condemn them and explain her battle with nerve injury. Akothee who is still recuperating has also asking Kenyans to stop body-shaming her.

“I am swollen due to the struggle with sleepless nights of pain. I am afraid to go to bed because I wake up feeling some numbness in my fingers. This situation is scary for me,” she said. 

Singer Akothee is suffering from a nerve injury, according to Dr Sally Kosgei, a Nairobi-based neurologist. Nerve injury, she explains, occurs when a nerve is compressed or injured by the surrounding tissues such as tendon, bones and muscles. 

As a result, the neck, shoulder, and limbs are most likely to suffer from the pinched nerve. Dr Sally explains that a pinched nerve most often leads to pain, numbness and less sensation in the affected area. 

“Tingling, pins, needle-like feeling muscle weakness is experienced as swelling may also occur in some cases,” she told The Nairobian.

Nerve injury can be caused by vigorous twisting movement or certain postures, obesity, stressing work and above all, effects from arthritis. the doc explains.

“Those who are likely to suffer from the nerve injury are the people who are on prolonged bed rest, overweight, diabetic, expectant mothers, and those suffering from thyroid, arthritis,” she added.

Maintaining good posture, limiting repetitive moves, maintaining weight and doing exercise can help in preventing the problem, she advised. She further added that at the extreme end, treatment can be administered by taking anti-inflammatory medications wearing splints and cervical collars, undergoing physical therapy and surgery.

Earlier on the celebrated singer had hinted that a pinched nerve on her neck was affecting her arm leading to sessions of physiotherapy. 

“This hurts badly, especially at night. I can find the correct position to place my neck because I feel my neck is tired, burning and overburdened,” Akothee said.

Following her illness, many of her followers have wished for her quick recovery and good health. Other celebrities who have battled nerve injuries include Hollywood actor Jennifer Aniston and tennis great Andre Agassi.