Introduction
Selena Gomez is one of the most famous celebrities to have been diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder that can cause a wide range of symptoms. While lupus is a complex condition, there are some common signs and symptoms that can help you determine if you may have lupus. In this article, we will discuss some of the sure signs that you may have lupus, just like Selena Gomez. We will also provide some tips on how to manage your symptoms and live a healthy life with lupus.
Sure Signs You Have Lupus Like Selena Gomez
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can cause a wide range of symptoms, from joint pain and fatigue to rashes and fever. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. Selena Gomez is one of the many celebrities who have been diagnosed with lupus, and her story has helped to raise awareness of the condition.
If you think you may have lupus, it’s important to speak to your doctor. In the meantime, here are some of the sure signs that you may have lupus, just like Selena Gomez:
1. Unexplained Fatigue
One of the most common symptoms of lupus is unexplained fatigue. This can range from feeling tired all the time to feeling exhausted after even minimal physical activity. If you’re experiencing fatigue that can’t be explained by lifestyle factors, it could be a sign of lupus.
2. Joint Pain and Swelling
Joint pain and swelling are also common symptoms of lupus. This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and swelling. If you’re experiencing joint pain and swelling that can’t be explained by another condition, it could be a sign of lupus.
3. Skin Rashes
Skin rashes are another common symptom of lupus. These rashes can vary in appearance, but they are usually red and raised. They can also be itchy and painful. If you’re experiencing skin rashes that can’t be explained by another condition, it could be a sign of lupus.
4. Fever
Fever is another symptom of lupus. This can range from mild to severe, and it can come and go. If you’re experiencing fever that can’t be explained by another condition, it could be a sign of lupus.
5. Hair Loss
Hair loss is another symptom of lupus. This can range from mild thinning to complete baldness. If you’re experiencing hair loss that can’t be explained by another condition, it could be a sign of lupus.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor. They can help to diagnose the condition and provide you with the treatment you need.
May is lupus awareness month and back in 2015, Selena Gomez revealed her battle with disease and shocked fans when she underwent a kidney transplant as a result of the debilitating condition. “Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease , where the immune system produces autoantibodies that eventually will attack the joints, skin, kidneys , lungs, heart and other organs,” Dr. Suzanne El-Sayegh, Associate Chair of Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital explained to Eat This, Not That! Health. She added, “Anyone can develop lupus; however, the risk is higher among young women with family history of lupus or other autoimmune disease,” and “Lupus can affect any organ system in the body. The presentation of this condition can range from fatigue, weight loss, fever, joint pain to end organ damage.” But not everyone will need a kidney transplant like Gomez. Dr. El-Sayegh said, “Not all patients with lupus will need a kidney transplant. Only patients with advanced renal failure or on dialysis will require evaluation for kidney transplant.” There’s several symptoms that indicate you could have lupus and we spoke with Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, MBBS, Ph.D., a professor of public health at New Mexico State University who explained signs to watch out for. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Khubchandani explains, “These may appear like rashes or flush of skin around cheeks and nose (malar rash) or sores, scarring, or scaling around face, ears, and scalp (discoid rash). The exact causes may not be well known for many of the skin manifestations of Lupus, but the autoimmune destruction of skin tissue could be a potential reason.”
Dr. Khubchandani says, “In a blood test of Lupus patients, one can expect anemia, low hemoglobin, reduced number of white blood cells or platelets. It is postulated that this could be due to overexpression of some immune cells that cause reduced expression of other types of blood cells leading to anemia and infections. Some experts argue that this could be due to a variety of other problems that occur with Lupus (e.g. medication, kidney failures, blood loss, infections, and nutritional deficiencies.)Irrespective of the causal mechanisms, blood tests are key for diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression.”
“Just like other organs and systems, kidneys are attacked by the autoantibodies that are produced in Lupus,” states Dr. Khubchandani. “This would mean that kidney structures responsible for waste clearance, filtration, and blood circulation are attacked as well. This could lead to kidney inflammation resulting in excretion of blood in the urine, protein in the urine, high blood pressure, impaired kidney function, or even kidney failure.”
Dr. Khubchandani shares, “The autoantibodies produced in Lupus can affect different components of the nervous system (central=brain versus peripheral=nerves) both directly (attacking nerve cells) or indirectly (obstructing blood flow to nerves). This results in both functional and structural abnormalities (e.g. cognitive decline, fibromyalgia, headaches, drooping eyelids, facial pain, vision loss, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal blood pressure, etc).”
Dr. Khubchandani explains, “Given the widespread and systemic impact of autoantibodies that attack the body in Lupus, it is not surprising that many individuals will have inflammation of internal organs or their protective covers (pleura= lung cover, pericardium=heart cover, etc). Individuals may also have arthritis that indicates damage of bones and joints via inflammation caused by autoantibodies.”
According to Dr. Khubchandani, “Oral ulcers and sores are a sign of active Lupus. However, oral sores are a very common problem (e.g. due to vitamin deficiency). If a person has repeated oral sores and they are red with a white halo, this should raise suspicion about Lupus.”
Heather Newgen