Pop Star Selena Marie Gomez recently revealed that she suffers from lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which case the body's immune system attacks the tissues and organs. It’s difficult to diagnose as the possible routes of the disease are so varied, and thus the symptoms will often mimic other diseases. The inflammation caused by Lupus can affect many different systems, including joints, blood cells, brain, heart, lungs, and in Selena’s case, kidneys. When it attacks organs such as the brain or kidneys Lupus can be life threatening.
After canceled tour, anxiety, and depression, Selena comes out about Lupus
Selena Gomez announced her condition on Instagram in order to belay the concerns of her fans as to why she was missing in action. Selena has been struggling with this often terribly debilitating disease for years, and for all intents and purposes, in private. In 2016, she had to cancel a worldwide tour due to suffering from panic attacks, depression, and anxiety, which apparently, can all be caused by Lupus.
After the cancelled tour in 2016, Selena wrote to her fans on social media, “I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness, and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off,” and she went on to say, “I know I am not alone by sharing this.
I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues.” Evidently, she has elected to follow her own mature advice. She subsequently "came out" to her fans about her health issues.
Speaking for everyone who suffers from autoimmune disorders
In the very beautiful and clarifying post made to her fans on Instagram, Selena said that she honestly looks forward to sharing her journey with them.
She thanked her family, doctors, and her close friend -- the donor of her kidney -- actress Francia Raisa, expressing her love and saying, “she gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice.”
Everyone who suffers from an autoimmune disorder should take heart and strength from such a poignant experience and the willingness of Selena Gomez to share it.
I doubt she will ever read an article by little ole me, still, I must commend her. As one whose life and family have been profoundly affected by multiple autoimmune disorders, I would like to personally thank Selena for having the courage to come out publicly about it. It will help bring to the surface the ever increasing number of autoimmune disorders worldwide.
