Selena Gomez Openly Discusses Her Lupus Diagnosis

Selena Gomez has been dealing with lupus, an autoimmune condition, for over a decade. Over the years, the Only Murders in the Building actor, 31, has been open about her battle with the chronic disease, from receiving a kidney transplant and chemotherapy to how it has affected her mental health.

The “Single Soon” singer has utilized her public platform to promote awareness and educate her fans about lupus, a condition in which your immune system attacks your own tissues and organs, causing severe inflammation and swelling, according to the Mayo Clinic. Inflammation may impact a variety of physiological systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, the brain, heart, and lungs. While there is no known cure for lupus, patients can receive a number of therapies, according to the Mayo Clinic.

While Selena may come to mind when you think of this health condition, The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans and at least five million individuals worldwide suffer with lupus.

Selena originally confirmed her lupus diagnosis in a cover story for Billboard in October 2015. “I was diagnosed with lupus and have been through treatment. That’s what my break was all about. I could’ve had a stroke,” she told the newspaper about her time away from the limelight (which fueled speculations about her admission to an addiction treatment clinic). “I really wanted to respond, ‘You guys have no idea. I am in chemotherapy… I walled myself away until I felt confident and comfortable again.”

“I’m well aware that some of my fans had noticed I was quiet for part of the summer and wondered why I wasn’t promoting my new song, which I was really pleased of. So I discovered I required a kidney transplant owing to my Lupus and was healing. She captioned the image, “It was what I needed to do for my overall health.” “I’d want to publicly thank my family and the great team of physicians for everything they’ve done for me before and after surgery. Finally, there are no words to express how much I appreciate my lovely buddy Francia Raisa. She made the greatest gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am quite fortunate. I love you so much, sis. Lupus is widely misunderstood, but progress is being made.