2012 continues to rain down bad news on Nick Cannon. The 31-year-old, hospitalized earlier this year for mild kidney failure, has revealed that he's suffering from a rare form of lupus. 


“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," Cannon told Good Morning America.


Lupus nephritis, besides targeting the kidneys, can also impact the skin, joints, nervous system, and other major organs in the body. Over the last two months, doctors have advised the multi-tasking "America's Got Talent" host to radically shift his diet and work habits. Just last month, Cannon stepped down as the host of his popular syndicated radio show “Rollin' with Nick Cannon” in response to that shift. 



Cannon told ABC that his second hospitalization in February could have ended a lot worse. “My kidneys were in tip-top shape but I started to feel pain again,” he said. “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.
In terms of diet, it's healthy living all the way, as past guilty pleasure such as fast food are no longer an option. Cannon says he's fortunate to have a helping hand in wife Mariah Carey. 


Nick Cannon has lupus
Entertainer reveals the disease is behind the mild kidney failure he suffered earlier this year.