Michael Jackson's Health and Appearance - Health Concerns

Health Concerns

In early 1984, Jackson was treated of scalp burns; his hair had caught fire during a shooting for a commercial.

On March 12, 1988, Jackson cancelled a show in St. Lois which was rescheduled for March 14; on March 13, Jackson performed in St. Lois although he was crooked with a cold. The cold progressed to laryngitis; the show on March 14, was also cancelled. Three shows in Tacoma, scheduled from October 31 to November 2, 1988, had to be cancelled on his physicians advices because Jackson had the flu. Two shows in Los Angeles were cancelled due to swollen vocal cords; three shows in Los Angeles scheduled for November 20, 21 and 22 were also cancelled; these five concerts were rescheduled for January 1989.

Among other things, laryngitis can be caused by an infection or an excessive use of voice. Treatment also includes voice rest. Jackson had been working with vocal trainer Seth Riggs for more than three decades. Riggs has developed a method which enables the artists to "sing safely."

In June 1990, Jackson was admitted to a Santa Monica hospital with chest pains. According to Dr. Mark Zatzkis "laboratory and X-ray tests of Jackson's heart and lungs revealed no abnormalities"; the pains "were caused by bruised ribs suffered during a vigorous dance practice".

In August 1992, a concert in London, England had to be postponed due to a viral infection. Four days later, Jackson performed in Cardiff, Wales. In September 1992, a concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany was cancelled because Jackson was taken ill with the flu. In Lausanne, Switzerland, an ambulance took Jackson back to his hotel after the show; another show in Basel, Switzerland was also cancelled. In October 1992, two concerts in Turkey, Istanbul and Izmir, and another one in Athens, Greece had to be cancelled due to loss of voice caused by a cold. His private doctor attended to Jackson in Istanbul. According to organisers Jackson's "vocal cords were irritated". These concerts were supposed to be the last three shows of the tour's European leg. Jackson attended to a throat specialist in London, and was advised to seek further treatment in Los Angeles.

In August 1993, two shows of Jackson's Dangerous Tour in Thailand had to be cancelled due to dehydration. On August 27, 1993, Jackson "returned to the concert stage". On August 30, 1993, a show in Singapore had to be cancelled due to nausea and a severe headache. In the opinion of his physician, Dr. David Forecast, Jackson "was in no condition to perform". A neurology specialist attended to Jackson. The specialist confirmed Forecast's diagnosis of "late-onset migraine", and medication was prescribed for Jackson who also unterwent tests in a hospital in Singapore. The show was held two days later.

One cause for dehydradration can be burns; the body loses fluids by water seeping into the damaged skin.

The first concert in Santiago de Chile, scheduled for October 21, 1993, was cancelled due to lumbar problems; two days later, Jackson performed at Estadio Nacional. Another concert in Lima, Peru, scheduled for October 26, 1993, was cancelled due to a torn muscle suffered during a show in Brazil. Several concerts in Mexico City were cancelled due to tooth problems. Two abscessed molars were pulled. However, there were five shows in Mexico City. The last concert of the Dangerous Tour was held in Mexico City, on November 11, 1993.

In November 1993, Jackson announced the cancellation of the remaining Dangerous Tour due to an addiction to painkillers which had been prescribed after a recent constructive scalp surgery.

It was also reported, Jackson cancelled shows in Russia and Israel. However, these two concerts did take place. The rescheduling of the concert in Israel was not due to health problems.

According to Dr. Neil Ratner, Jackson suffered a back injury in July 1997; one of the stages collapsed during a concert in Munich, Germany. However, the History Tour continued; there was only one concert cancelled after the fatal accident of Princess Diana about two months later. In fact, such an incident happened during a charity concert in Munich, in 1999. Jackson was later taken to a hospital. Jackson's promoter Marcel Avram said he received abrasions and bruises. Jackson left the hospital the next morning.

On February 15, 2005, Jackson was admitted to the Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria with "flu-like symptoms." According to Dr. Chuck Merrill, Jackson was in stabel condition and would recover within a few days. Jackson left the hospital on February 16, 2005; Dr. Todd Bailey said Jackson "continued to need care for some persistent viral symptoms, but otherwise he was in good spirits." One week later, the jury selection for the child molestation trial resumed, in Jackson's presence.

On March 10, 2005, Jackson appaered late in court after having received treatment in a hospital due to a back problem. During the trial, Jackson occasionally needed help to get to his seat. On June 5, 2005 Jackson was taken to the emergency room at the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital to seek treatment of a back pain. Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone Bain, said "stress contributed to the back problem". During the trial Jackson had been briefly in hospital several times.

Dr. Christopher Rogers testified in the trial against Dr. Conrad Murray that, in his opinion, Jackson "was healthier than the average person of his age." Rogers said the arteries around Jackson's heart were free of fat and cholesterol, which is unusual for a 50-year-old individual.