Selena Gomez's Lupus Symptoms and Treatment: Nasal Voice, Facial Swelling

Understanding Selena Gomez's Lupus Diagnosis and Symptoms

In 2015, pop singer Selena Gomez announced she had been diagnosed with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause a wide variety of symptoms and health complications. For Selena Gomez, some of her most visible symptoms have included a and facial swelling due to lupus flares.

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body's own immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect different body systems including:

• Joints
• Skin
• Kidneys
• Brain
• Heart
• Lungs
• Blood cells

Common Lupus Symptoms

Symptoms of lupus tend to come and go in cycles called flares. They can range from mild to severe. Common lupus symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain and swelling
• Butterfly facial rash
• Skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Chest pain with deep breathing
• Headaches and memory issues
• Fingers turning white or blue in cold temperatures

Selena Gomez's Lupus Symptoms Over the Years

For Selena Gomez, living with lupus has impacted several aspects of her health and career over the last decade.

Lupus Diagnosis and Chemotherapy

Gomez first started feeling symptoms like fatigue, muscle aches and weight fluctuations as a teen but wasn't yet diagnosed. In 2014, she was hospitalized and underwent chemotherapy to treat an almost fatal autoimmune reaction involving her kidneys.

It was at this time she discovered she had lupus. The chemotherapy she received helped save her life but had side effects including a that has lingered since.

Ongoing Battle with Lupus Flares

Over the years, Gomez has had various health challenges related to her lupus. She has spoken openly about experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, depression and insomnia related to managing her diagnosis.

She also suffers from several visible lupus symptoms like facial swelling, rashes and joint pain that have forced her to reduce commitments and public appearances during period flare ups.

In 2017 she shared photos of herself with a visible lupus rash the butterfly pattern across her cheeks and nose. The rash usually appears during times her disease is active.

Kidney Transplant in 2017

Due to lasting kidney damage from earlier lupus-related complications, Selena underwent a kidney transplant in 2017, receiving a donated organ from her close friend Francia Raisa.

While the new kidney restored her kidney functioning, she continues having lupus flare ups affecting her overall wellness.

What Causes Lupus?

Doctors are unsure of the exact reasons why some people develop lupus. Contributing factors are believed to include:

• Genetics
• Environmental triggers
• Hormone levels
• Viruses or other infections

Additionally, lupus seems to disproportionately affect women, particularly during childbearing ages. Nine out of ten lupus cases are in women ages 15 to 44.

Lupus Risk Factors

Elements that can increase a person's risk of getting lupus include:

• Family history of lupus or other autoimmune disorders
• Being of African, Asian or Native American descent
• Age – onset is typically between late teens to 30s
• Being female
• Exposure to UV-light or sunlight
• Infections or high levels of physical or emotional stress

Getting Properly Diagnosed

There’s no single laboratory test that can definitively diagnose all cases of lupus. Doctors typically use a combination of clinical examinations, patient history and various tests including:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Kidney and liver assessment
• Urinalysis
• Antinuclear antibody test (ANA)
• Skin or kidney biopsy

Based on a thorough evaluation, doctors can check for physical signs of lupus as well as rule out other potentially causes for symptoms.

Meeting Diagnostic Criteria for Lupus

Most doctors diagnose lupus when a patient meets 4 out of 11 common criteria including the following:

• Butterfly facial rash
• Skin lesions or ulcers
• Photosensitivity
• Mouth or nose ulcers
• Arthritis in two or more joints
• Cardiovascular problems
• Lung or breathing issues
• Kidney abnormalities
• Neurological concerns like seizures
• Blood abnormalities
• Positive ANA lab findings

Other generalized symptoms like chronic fatigue and flu-like symptoms also provide clues, but meeting the diagnostic criteria above is key.

Treatment Options for Managing Lupus

While there is no cure for lupus at this time, various medications and lifestyle approaches can help control inflammation and pain associated with the disease.

Medications

Some of the types of medications used to treat lupus include:

• NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and swelling
• Corticosteroids - more potent anti-inflammatories like prednisone
• Antimalarials - used to control lupus flares and fatigue issues
• Immune suppressants/chemotherapy drugs – for patients with organ involvement or severe physical damage from lupus

Alternative and Lifestyle Treatments

Complementary approaches to help minimize lupus symptoms include:

• Low impact exercise routines
• Stress reduction techniques
• Eating an anti-inflammatory diet of fresh, whole foods
• Getting enough rest and managing fatigue
• Avoiding sunlight or UV exposure
• Quitting smoking cigarettes

Long Term Outlook for Lupus Patients

Life expectancy rates for lupus patients vary widely, ranging from a near normal lifespan to significantly shorter depending on disease severity and specific organs impacted.

With proper treatment, most patients can control their symptoms, avoid flares and live an active lifestyle. Close follow-up care with one’s medical team provides the best outlook.

The singer Selena Gomez continues being an advocate for lupus awareness and openly shares her health journey with fans. She hopes by speaking out it will inspire other patients and help educate the public about this complex autoimmune disease.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.