Celebrities with diseases

When it comes to health, celebrities can be just as vulnerable as the rest of us. Some of these famous faces are well known for championing their illness, while others may surprise you.

--Pamela Sitt, MSN Healthy Living

The supermodel (which Hollywood actor is she married to?) rocked runways in the 1990s, but her glamorous looks belied an ugly habit. Although she quit smoking in 1994, it wasn't soon enough to prevent her from developing this disease, which causes shortness of breath.

Bing: What is the disease Christy was diagnosed with at age 31?
Bing: What George Michael video starred Christy and other supermodels?

The former Disney star has grown up to be a triple-threat: singer, actress and reality TV judge on Fox's "The X Factor." In 2010, she dropped out of a tour with the Jonas Brothers to enter a treatment facility, where she was diagnosed with this disorder, which can cause risky behavior and mood swings.

Bing: What disorder does Demi have?
Bing: Shop for Demi Lovato music and DVDs

The E! News anchor, Fashion Police host and reality star shared her 4-year struggle to conceive a baby with viewers of her reality show, "Giuliana & Bill." But she had to put her pregnancy plans on hold when she was diagnosed with this disease, which affects one in eight women.

Bing: Which disease did Giuliana survive?
Bing: See a photo of her new baby boy

The Oscar-winning actress and mom of two has a rock-star husband (listen to his band's music), and maintains a popular lifestyle blog (find it). But in 2011, she revealed that she "felt like a zombie" and couldn't access her emotions as a result of this condition, which can cause changes in eating and sleeping patterns.

Bing: What is the condition Gwyneth said was difficult for her to accept?
Bing: See who came to her star-studded 40th birthday bash.

The basketball great is known for his towering height and trademark "sky-hook" move on the court. But even elite athletes become ill, and in 2009 Abdul-Jabbar went public with his diagnosis of this blood disease.

Bing: What disease does Kareem have that started with symptoms such as hot flashes and sweats?
Bing: See what honor he will get from the LA Lakers next season

The newswoman-turned-daytime talk show host is known for her sunny demeanor and quick smile, as well as her devotion to raising awareness for colon cancer. But in 2012, she revealed her own struggle during college with a disorder common to girls and women on her new talk show, "Katie."

Bing: What disorder did Katie overcome with the help of therapy?
Bing: Watch clips of her new show

The country singer became a star at age 13 with her debut album, "Blue," but these days she's better known as a tabloid target after her 2009 cheating scandal (with whom?). In 2008, she opened up about her lifelong struggle with this autoimmune disease, which took an emotional and physical toll on her as she grew up in the spotlight.

Bing: What condition has LeAnn had since the age of 2?
Bing: See what LeAnn looked like at age 13

The Oscar-winning movie director credits a lifelong condition that kept him indoors as a child, watching movies on television, for cultivating his love of film. Scorsese grew up in Little Italy in the 1940s and '50s, when the Manhattan neighborhood was ruled by the mob. Instead of living a life of violent crime, he now makes movies about it.

Bing: What common inflammatory disease does Marty have?
Bing: Which film earned Scorsese his first Oscar for directing?

The actor is well known for his memorable roles on "Family Ties," "Spin City" and "Back to the Future." But for the past decade his most visible role has been as an activist seeking a cure for this degenerative disease. Though he once expressed his concern over whether "sick people [can] be funny," he's signed on to star in a new sitcom airing on NBC in 2013.

Bing: What disease was Michael diagnosed with at age 30?
Bing: See photos of Michael J. Fox through the years