Selena Gomez has opened up about her diagnosis
Selena Gomez has opened up about a common yet silent condition, which at one point put her in a “life or death” situation. Recalling getting a liver transplant, the actor and singer said she is raising awareness about the disease to help others.
After being diagnosed with lupus, Gomez said she had to undergo tests to monitor her kidneys. However, her doctor told her she has lupus nephritis, a complication from lupus. Because of this, they said she needed a kidney transplant, and she got that from her close friend in 2017.
Talking about a conditon Einstein Magazine refers to as a “silent killer”, Selena said: “Maybe I wasn’t necessarily really good at knowing what that meant so it actually got to a point where it was life-or-death,” according to E! News. “Thankfully, one of my best friends gave me her kidney and it was the ultimate gift of life.
And I am doing quite well now.” So what is lupus and what are the symptoms? Here is what you need to know.
What is lupus?
According to Lupus UK: “Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system is dysfunctional and mistakenly identifies the body’s own tissues as foreign invaders. In people with lupus, the immune system creates autoantibodies to attack the body’s tissues.
“These form immune complexes which cause inflammation and damage – possibly affecting the organs and/or the joints in some lupus patients.”
What are the signs and symptoms of lupus?
The signs and symptoms of the condition vary from person to person. If you have it, you may experience:
- Joint/muscle aches and pains
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Rashes from sunlight/UV light (including the classical “butterfly” rash on the cheeks and nose)
- Flu-like symptoms and/or night sweats
- Weight gain or loss
- Inflammation of the tissues covering internal organs with associated chest and/or abdominal pain
- Seizures, mental illness or other cerebral problems
- Headaches, migraine
- Kidney problems
- Oral/nasal ulcers
- Hair loss
- Depression
- Haematological disorders including anaemia
- Swollen glands
- Poor blood circulation causing the tips of fingers and toes to turn white then blue on exposure to cold (Raynauds)
What causes lupus?
The causes of lupus are not fully understood. Possible causes include:
- viral infection
- certain medicines
- sunlight
- puberty
- childbirth
- menopause
The lupus charity warns that this condition “disproportionately affects females and people from Black African, Caribbean, and Asian ancestries.”
How do I get diagnosed with lupus?
As symptoms vary and can overlap, it is not easy to diagnose. However if you think you have it, you should go to your GP and explain this.
A GP will usually do some blood tests and may diagnose you with lupus if the tests show you have high levels of a certain type of antibody as well as some of the symptoms mentioned.
In addition to blood work, you may also be referred for X-rays and scans of your heart, kidneys and other organs if the doctor thinks they might be affected. If you’re diagnosed, you may be told to have regular checks and test.
This could be blood tests to check for anaemia and urine tests to check for kidney problems. For more information and how to get help, visit Lupus UK.