5 Things Selena Gomez's Battle with Lupus Taught about Autoimmune Disease

Lupus is an autoimmune condition when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy organs and tissues (autoimmune disorder). Lupus-related inflammation affects various organs and tissues, including skin and joints, blood vessels, and kidneys, to the brain, heart, and lungs.

Lupus can be difficult to identify because the symptoms often overlap with the symptoms of other diseases. Lupus is easily recognized by its most distinctive sign: a rash that resembles a butterfly that may spread across the face.

We can learn details about its symptoms to draw attention to Lupus and what Selena Gomez said about the disease- Lupus.

1. Kidney Transplant is a Frequent Complication

Gomez claimed that the donation was linked to lupus-related nephritis, one of the kidney diseases that can be associated with Lupus. In November, the gift was made at an event called the Lupus Research Alliance annual dinner.

2. Lupus and Its Mental Toll

Lupus-related inflammation may result in many symptoms, including weakness, joint pain, and skin conditions. Lupus may also have an effect on mental health that is often not talked about.

Gomez discovered that Lupus could result in various mental health issues, such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

Lupus and other chronic arthritic diseases can affect your psychological health because of the debilitating character of their signs.

3. Stroke is a Possible Lupus Complication

When he was diagnosed with Lupus and receiving treatment, Gomez decided to spend time off from the limelight and go into a rehabilitation center in Arizona during the winter of 2014.

Lupus side effects that affect the brain and central nervous system vary from moderate, like dizziness and headaches, to extreme, such as strokes and seizures. While Gomez could be at risk of stroke, these severe effects were not expected.

4. Lupus Treatment may Involve Chemotherapy

Gomez shared with her followers that she was treated with chemotherapy for Lupus, which she previously could not discuss. People living with Lupus can access a range of treatment choices, with chemotherapy being one of the options. There are a few treatments for cancer that also work against Lupus as well as other types of immune-mediated. Most drugs prescribed to people with Lupus have not been recognized as effective in treating cancer.

5. A Healthy Lifestyle can Reduce Lupus Flares

Gomez stated, "Diet, regularity, and medical treatment" are the main factors in her longevity. Gomez's ability to control her lupus-related symptoms through healthful living isn't surprising, according to the recommendations of medical experts. It is possible to reduce flare-ups and other reduced symptoms by keeping an ideal weight, quitting smoking, and doing regular physical exercise. Limiting cholesterol and high sugar and fat levels help reduce inflammation and the symptoms of Lupus. This is one of the most critical aspects of managing the condition.

Health Problems that are Associated with Lupus

Lupus-related inflammation may manifest in various ways throughout the body.

Kidneys − Kidney failure is a frequent cause of death in lupus patients due to the chronic inflammation it triggers.

• Nerves System − Particularly the brain and the remainder of the central nervous system can be affected by it. Lupus can lead to neurological signs like headaches dizziness, headaches, changes to behavior and personality, problems with vision, as well as seizures and strokes. People with Lupus often can't remember things or make their thoughts into words.

• The body's fluids and transport systems − Red blood cells that are healthy and have healthy counts (anemia) along with an elevated chance of clotting and bleeding are two potential blood problems caused by Lupus. In addition, it could cause vascular inflammation.

• Lungs − An irritation to the chest lining is likely to be seen in patients with Lupus and can cause breathing discomfort. There is also the risk of bleeding from the lung and pneumonia.

• Heart − If you have Lupus, it can cause inflammation in the heart's muscles, blood vessels, and membranes. It increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and experiencing an attack on the heart.

Why and How Can Chemotherapy be used to treat Lupus?

Chemotherapy, a class of medications commonly used to treat cancer, is successful because it kills cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues. Chemotherapy is typically used to treat cancer, blood disorders, and autoimmune diseases like Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Lupus and cancer are not related despite having specific treatment options. The development of cancer occurs when cells multiply without control, expand in size and then begin to cause harm to neighboring cells and organs. However, autoimmune disorders can develop when the cells of one attack tissues and organs.

Because of the similarities between Lupus and other forms of autoimmunity, the chemotherapy drugs typically reserved for cancer patients could benefit people suffering from the condition. Before cells attack the body's tissues, they must first divide. The idea is that "autoimmunity is removed by preventing the rapidly expanding phase."

Chemotherapy and medicines are given differently for patients with autoimmune diseases because of the distinct mechanism of action that differs between the two conditions. For lupus treatment, chemotherapy is used at a much lesser dose than it is when treating cancer.

To stop further damage to vital organs and tissues, experts block the immune system but do not eliminate it. Due to this, medical professionals usually use the term immunotherapy to treat Lupus rather than chemotherapy.

There are a variety of chemotherapeutic medications available. The degree of Lupusrelated symptoms will determine the treatment option recommended by a physician (and the severity of their symptoms). There are oral and IV versions of chemotherapy.

The adverse side effects are smaller than those associated with chemotherapy. The use of immunosuppressants, for example, could cause a milder form of hair loss experienced by people undergoing chemotherapy. While some individuals with Lupus might experience digestive issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea, the symptoms are not as severe.

Although adverse effects are usually fewer, chemotherapy drugs aren't risk-free, and doctors frequently look for them throughout the process.

Conclusion

The benefits of studying or action and involvement in fighting Lupus could be appreciated when this awareness indicator is more significant. Since there isn't a simple blood test to determine if you have Lupus, diagnosing it can be challenging. In addition, before the recent, the disease was almost undiscovered. Before Selena Gomez made Lupus a public health problem, doctors were unaware of the subject.