MUSIC
Enrique Iglesias set to return despite rare genetic condition
The artist suffers from a genetic pathology called ‘situs inversus’ which is characterised by having organs in a different orientation than most.
Enrique Iglesias is enjoying a sweet moment professionally thanks to the musical commitments he has on his schedule. The artist, who has been absent for a season due to health problems, is focused on the long-awaited international tour, The Trilogy Tour, where he will share the stage with singers of the caliber of Ricky Martin and Pitbull.
The tour is scheduled to start in October and will land in the United States and Canada, starting in Washington DC before hitting 18 other cities.
What is situs inversus?
However, the rare condition of the son of legendary crooner Julio Iglesias has come to light, a pathology largely unknown to society. The 48-year old suffers from a genetic condition called ‘situs inversus’. But what is it?
As described by Cleveland Clinic, ‘situs inversus is a rare genetic condition in which the organs in your chest and abdomen are positioned in a mirror image of normal human anatomy. Nearly all of the organs in your chest and abdomen develop in your body in a left-right formation. In situs inversus, your organs develop in a right-left formation.’ It is as if it were an image through a mirror.
How many people suffer from situs inversus?
It is believed that the condition affects one in every 10,000, which could be mean around 30,000 in the US alone, and it is more prevalent in people assigned male at birth. They have the heart on the right side, the liver on the left, the stomach on the right and the cecum (considered to be the beginning of the large intestine) on the left. In the case of Enrique Iglesias, his heart is on the opposite side to the one most of us all know.
Fortunately, this condition does not disrupt the normal life of the singer, and the majority of individuals with situs inversus can anticipate a regular lifespan. It’s possible that you might be unaware of your condition and not encounter any symptoms or complications. However, if your condition is linked to another underlying health problem or anomaly, your prognosis will differ based on the specific diagnosis and treatment you receive.