Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington must have realized lately that a hospital is somewhere he belongs. Back in May, the ill-fated screamer was diagnosed with a crippling back and stomach ailment that forced the band to cancel 12 European shows. Despite thorough investigation, doctors were unable to pinpoint the source of Bennington’s mysterious problem. Rather, they have merely speculated that it could have been either an intestinal disorder or a parasite, the latter of which may have been transmitted to Bennington through improperly cooked food (that’ll teach ‘em to let Fred Durst grill the burgers next time…).
Since then, things have only gotten worse for poor Chester. Instead of finding out what made him sick the first time, doctors instead discovered something new that’s wrong with Mr. Bennington: a hiatal hernia. This condition, which is fairly common, occurs when the stomach shifts out of its normal position, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus. Treatments can be as simple as diet regulation or antacids, but in Chester’s case, the hernia will require surgery. As such, Bennington will be heading back to the hospital as soon as Linkin Park wraps up their current tour.
Bennington told MTV that he feels queasy constantly, and that singing often induces him to vomit. Because of the hernia, food doesn’t stay put in his stomach where it ought to, but rather comes up at inappropriate times (such as when he’s performing). All the same, Chester noted that the experience has taught him to have a greater respect for his loved ones and for the things that really matter in life, because he knows he could lose them at any time.
Linkin Park are currently involved in the Summer Sanitarium tour with Metallica, Deftones, Limp Bizkit and Mudvayne. The tour will wind through the States for the next couple of weeks, wrapping up in San Francisco on August 10.