Mychael Knight, a fashion designer and former contestant on the reality TV show Project Runway, passed away on October 17, 2017, at the age of 39. His death shocked and saddened his fans, friends, and fellow designers, who remembered him for his talent, charisma, and kindness. But what was the cause of his death? And how did he cope with his health issues in the months leading up to his demise? Here is what we know so far about Mychael Knight’s project runway cause of death.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Chronic Condition
According to NBC News, an official cause of death has not been released by Knight’s family or representatives. However, Knight had been open about his struggle with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic condition that affects the digestive system and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas.
In a now-deleted Facebook post from July 2017, Knight revealed that he had been suffering from IBS for five years and that it had taken a toll on his health and well-being. He wrote that he had a “leaky gut”, which means that toxins from the food he ate leaked into his bloodstream and caused autoimmune responses such as psoriasis, inflamed joints, and respiratory issues. He also said that he had problems absorbing nutrients from his food and that he experienced extreme fatigue, exhaustion, food sensitivities, allergies, foggy brain, and headaches.
Knight also shared that he had lost a lot of weight due to his condition and that he was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Los Angeles. He asked his fans for their prayers and support and said that he was determined to overcome his illness and get back to his passion for fashion.
IBS: Not a Fatal Disease
While IBS can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life, it is not considered a fatal disease by medical experts. Dr. David Levinthal, director of the neurogastroenterology and motility center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told TODAY that IBS “does not carry mortality or cancer risk” and that it is “a very common disorder”.
However, Levinthal also said that there are other intestinal conditions that can be fatal and that some of their symptoms can overlap with those of IBS. For example, Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause malnutrition, weight loss, ulcers, fistulas, abscesses, and infections in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease can also increase the risk of bowel cancer and other complications.
Levinthal could not comment specifically on Knight’s case, but he said that “chronic malnutrition goes hand in hand with Crohn’s disease” and that weight loss can be “another red flag for Crohn’s”. He also said that psoriasis and joint inflammation can be signs of an underlying autoimmune disorder.
A Mystery Remains
It is unclear whether Knight had been diagnosed with any other condition besides IBS or whether he had any complications from his treatment. His friend and representative Jerris Madison told TODAY that the family did not know his cause of death at the time and that Knight was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments.
Knight’s fans and colleagues have expressed their grief and condolences on social media and have paid tribute to his legacy as a fashion designer. Knight was best known for being a finalist on season three of Project Runway in 2006 and for winning the Fan Favorite award. He also appeared on Project Runway: All Star Challenge in 2009 and Project Runway: All Stars in 2013. He launched his own label, Mychael Knight, in 2007 and created collections such as Kitty & Dick (lingerie) and MajK (fragrance).
Knight’s project runway cause of death remains a mystery for now, but his life and work will not be forgotten by those who admired him. As he wrote in his Facebook post: “I am not giving up! I am fighting! I am a fighter! I am a winner!”
