Television personality and Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has revealed she was hospitalised after experiencing a sudden and severe medical emergency while aboard a commercial flight. The 58-year-old addressed the alarming incident in a detailed Instagram post on Thursday, sharing her harrowing experience with followers.
In-Flight Health Crisis
Inaba explained she had been travelling from Los Angeles to New York City to participate in a Novartis campaign dedicated to raising awareness for Sjögren's disease. This autoimmune condition is one she personally lives with and manages. "Yesterday was quite a day," she captioned a video showing her in the back of an ambulance, recounting the ordeal that unfolded mid-air.
A Sudden Onset of Symptoms
"I was on my way to NY for something I am very passionate about. But had a small 'medical emergency' on the plane," Inaba wrote. She described a rapid onset of distressing symptoms: "I very suddenly felt quite ill. And while it seemed like food poisoning, I also suddenly broke out into a cold sweat, got dizzy and my arms went numb."
The judge, known for her composed demeanour on television, admitted the situation escalated to a point of genuine fear. "Normally I handle most of my health things on my own," she stated. "Like many people who live with autoimmune disease, I travel with a health tool kit and am prepared for the worst, but this scared me."
Complicating Factors and Seeking Help
Inaba's crisis was compounded by challenging flight conditions. She revealed she was in the aircraft's restroom when the emergency struck, coinciding with significant turbulence. "We were also experiencing turbulence and the flight attendants had been asked to sit in their seats as well," she noted.
This created a difficult dilemma. "I didn't want to have anyone else put themselves at risk... but when my arms went numb, it was time to ask for help." Her decision to alert the cabin crew ultimately led to emergency protocols being activated upon landing, resulting in her immediate transfer to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of living with chronic autoimmune conditions and the challenges of managing health while travelling. Inaba's openness about the event continues her advocacy work, bringing public attention to Sjögren's disease even through a personal health scare.
