Paula Abdul's Battle with Lupus: Symptoms and Advocacy

Paula Abdul's Battle with Lupus

Paula Abdul, the popular singer, dancer, choreographer and TV personality, has been open about her struggles with a variety of health issues over the years. One condition she lives with is lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause symptoms like pain, fatigue, and organ damage.

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body's immune system attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. There are several types of lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common, affecting the whole body. Other types focus on the skin (cutaneous lupus) or joints (lupus arthritis). Around 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus, with women disproportionately affected.

While the exact causes are unknown, researchers believe genetics, hormones, and environmental factors play a role. Lupus is an incurable and chronic condition characterized by flare-ups of symptoms followed by periods of remission where symptoms improve or disappear.

Paula Abdul's Lupus Diagnosis

In the early 2000s, Abdul began experiencing troubling symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and stomach issues. Her doctors ran numerous tests trying to find answers. Abdul recounted the emotional toll of that diagnostic process, saying she felt like “a human pin cushion” subjected to “every blood test in the planet.”

Finally in 2008 at age 46, after over five years of uncertainty, Paula received a lupus diagnosis. Doctors discovered she had a positive ANA marker in her bloodwork, one of the signals used to detect lupus. For Abdul, getting a proper diagnosis came as a relief despite the incurable nature of lupus. As she told People magazine in 2008: "I cried and cried from relief...I wanted to know what it was."

Living with Lupus

Abdul manages her lupus in part with medications that help tame overactive immune functioning. She also prioritizes quality sleep and reducing stress, both of which can exacerbate lupus symptoms. Gentle exercise helps too, though she has to pace herself to avoid flares.

"The key is to recognize it early and follow a healthy lifestyle,” Abdul told People. “I try to take my medications carefully, get enough sleep, eat well, manage stress levels, and stay active.” Staying out of the sun helps too, as photosensitivity is another lupus symptom Abdul experiences.

Lupus Symptoms and Flare-Ups

For Abdul, joint and muscle pain are the most pronounced lupus symptoms on a regular basis. She also deals with rashes, stomach troubles, headaches, fatigue, and swollen fingers. During periodic flare-ups, caused by things like infections, stress or overexertion, symptoms spike in number and severity.

Abdul had a significant flare early in her diagnosis that affected her ability to move freely. As she told Prevention magazine in 2011: “I woke up one day and stepped out of bed, fell onto the floor, couldn’t lift my head or arms for three minutes.” Thankfully her husband was home and helped her until she regained movement. It was a scary wake-up call about lupus’ impact.

Advocating for Lupus Awareness

Going public with her diagnosis motivated Paula Abdul to bring more awareness about lupus to the general population. Most people have little understanding of the disease even though it affects millions. To spotlight this misunderstood, debilitating illness, Abdul regularly participates in fundraising efforts for lupus foundations and research.

For example, Abdul served as honorary chairperson for Lupus LA's annual Walk the Walk for Lupus Now fundraiser in 2016. “It’s so important that we raise awareness and help the general public understand the signs of lupus,” she said. Walk donations provide community programs and accelerate efforts to uncover better lupus treatments.

"There is strength in numbers and I am proud to lend my voice and my boots to this meaningful cause,” added Abdul that year to spotlight lupus’ substantial impact on quality of life.

Coping with a Chronic Health Condition

Living with lupus poses daily challenges for Paula Abdul, like balancing activity with needed rest, minimizing flare-up triggers, and dealing with unpleasant symptoms. Having a strong support system makes coping easier, as her husband often accompanies her to medical appointments. Staying positive is crucial too.

In a 2011 interview, when asked how she handles the ups and downs of lupus, Abdul emphasized, “Think optimistically...Attitude is everything. You can't let it get you down.” Even on the bad days, she focuses on what she can do versus what she can't: “I say, ‘Let me see how I can fix this.’” With the right treatment plan and outlook, those with chronic conditions can live full lives.

Paula refuses to let lupus dictate her path. As she once said, “Lupus hasn't stopped me. It's only inspired me.” The singer brings that inspiration from her talent-fueled early rise to prominence to her current TV judging and coaching roles. However lupus may limit her activity from day to day, Paula still hears the music inside driving her onward.

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.