John Dutton, the protagonist of the popular TV series Yellowstone played by Kevin Costner, suffers from a mysterious, unnamed illness that has been a running storyline throughout the show’s four seasons so far. While the exact diagnosis has never been confirmed, there are clues as to what could be causing John’s poor health.
John Dutton’s Symptoms
Throughout the show, John Dutton has been depicted as having the following symptoms:
- Chronic pain and discomfort in his abdomen/stomach area
- Occasional coughing up of blood
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Intermittent fever and night sweats
- General feeling of malaise
The symptoms tend to flare up now and then, indicating his condition is chronic and progressive. While manageable for periods of time, the illness clearly takes a toll on John and causes him frequent suffering.
Potential Diagnoses
Fans and medical experts have speculated on a number of possible diagnoses that could explain John Dutton’s symptoms:
Stomach Cancer
One leading theory is that John could be suffering from some form of stomach or gastric cancer. This would explain the chronic abdominal pain, appetite changes, weight loss, and coughing up blood he experiences. Stomach cancer is associated with many of the symptoms John displays.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
A less dire possibility is peptic ulcer disease – painful open sores lining the stomach caused by too much stomach acid. While less serious than cancer if caught early, peptic ulcers can cause recurrent abdominal discomfort, nausea, and bleeding which could match John’s symptoms. They can be triggered by factors like stress, smoking, and alcohol which John is no stranger to.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is a very common condition where stomach acid frequently flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, chest pain, coughing, and other symptoms. The constant irritation from the acid reflux could potentially lead to John’s observed discomfort, appetite changes, and rare vomiting of blood. GERD is typically manageable with the right diet so it may not fully explain the progressive nature of John’s illness.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease that most often affects the end of the small intestine and beginning of the colon. Periodic flare-ups can mimic John’s abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and general feelings of sickness. However, John has not displayed more classic Crohn’s symptoms like intestinal bleeding or obstructions so this diagnosis is less likely.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis involves infection and inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) that bulge outward through the muscular wall of the colon. Attacks of diverticulitis can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills similar to John’s experiences. However, diverticulitis is more treatable with antibiotics and a diverticulosis diagnosis earlier in life makes this particular illness less probable.
John Dutton’s Backstory Provides Clues
Looking deeper into John Dutton’s history and experiences also offers some useful context into what sickness he could have:
- Middle-aged to older in age – illnesses like cancer and ulcers become more common later in life
- Operates a cattle ranch – possible exposure to certain parasites or contaminants
- History of family trauma – chronic stress weakens the immune system
- Frequently involved in physical fights – potential for abdominal injury/trauma
- Drinks alcohol – can exacerbate conditions like ulcers and reflux
- Smoker – raises risk of stomach cancer and ulcers significantly
Professional Opinions
Though never explicitly diagnosed on the show, professional medical opinions also provide some insight:
- The show’s medical advisor Dr. Melanie Albetter has hinted it is a “chronic condition.”
- Actor Kevin Costner said it is not cancer but still a “life-threatening” situation.
- Some doctors watching speculate a recurrence of past ulcer complications best fits.
But uncertainty remains as the showrunners are intentionally keeping John’s diagnosis vague and mysterious for now.
How John Dutton’s Illness Progresses
Over the first three seasons of Yellowstone, John’s illness follows an uneasy pattern of periodic flair ups and remisssions:
| Season | Notable Details |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | John appears relatively healthy aside from occasional mentions of past illness. |
| Season 2 | John survives an assassination attempt and is hospitalized with infections relating to his prior condition. He complains of abdominal pain and coughs blood. |
| Season 3 | A weakened John collapses and mentions his sickness has gotten worse. He travels to the Mayo Clinic for testing. |
So while John has managed so far with his mystery illness, the latest season ends with his health clearly continuing to deteriorate. His diagnosis and chances of survival remain uncertain heading into the recently announced Season 5.
Conclusion
In summary, while John Dutton’s exact illness remains undisclosed, the symptoms and clues point toward a serious chronic gastrointestinal condition like gastric cancer or complicated peptic ulcer disease. Stress, age, alcohol use, and his hazardous ranching lifestyle provide context on factors that could have contributed to his poor health. As the new season starts in the summer of 2023, viewers are still awaiting answers on how long the iconic Yellowstone patriarch can continue to fight his unspecified medical condition. The mysterious illness has added a palpable layer of tension and drama to Kevin Costner’s fan-favorite character.