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Nick Cannon: Lupus diagnosis scared me

5th March 2012

Nick Cannon says that he "scared a lot of people" with his recent health issues.

The America's Got Talent host opened up about his lupus diagnosis on Good Morning America today and revealed how he was doing.

The 31-year-old is married to singer Mariah Carey and their twins Moroccan and Monroe will turn a year old next month.

"I scared a lot of people," Nick said about finding out he has the disease. "I scared myself."

"The technical term is lupus nephritis. It's a rare form of lupus that's just attacking my kidneys. They thought it was just kidney disease and then they were trying to figure out why my immune system was attacking my kidneys and that was sort of the root of it all.

"My kidneys were in tip-top shape but I started to feel pain again. And because of my schedule and everything, I had a few blood clots in my lungs which then affected my heart as well.

"A lot of people have passed away from that, and the doctor said, luckily I was in such great shape and taking care of myself, because a lot of people have been taken down by it."

Nick added that he was forced to leave his New York radio show and slow down his hectic schedule to help aid his recovery.

"I have been ordered to sleep at least six hours a night," the comedian revealed. "They say rest is probably the best medicine."

"I'm dealing with it. Of course I'm not used to the medicines, but I feel like I'm starting to figure out a lot of holistic ways, meditation and stuff to get through it the diet is the worst part. I can't have any fast food anymore no Happy Meals, nothing."

But he says his dutiful wife Mariah, who he has dubbed "Dr. Carey" has been looking after him and ensuring he sticks to his new eating plan.

"She made me an egg-white sandwich before I left the house this morning," he revealed. "Those are the things I have to be eating now, no more bacon. She takes care of me, makes sure I'm eating what I'm supposed to be."

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