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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : January 22, 2015 10:46 AM IST
Pop star Selena Gomez is reportedly suffering from the auto-immune disease lupus. The 21-year-old singer's grandfather has confirmed she has the auto-immune disease, following rumours that she was battling the condition 'a couple of years ago'. But he insists she is learning to cope with the illness, reported Radar online.
'She is in treatment. She is getting along pretty good,' Ricardo Gomez said. Ricardo hinted that the former 'Wizards of Waverly Place' actress turned popstar could be close to giving up her singing career. 'She was saying she doesn't want to sing any more, she just wants to be an actress... but she's going to combine it, it looks like,' he said. (Read: Skin condition Lupus Erythematosus worsens with low Vitamin D levels)
What are the facts about the auto-immune disease lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease
Lupus is regular name of the autoimmune disease called lupus erythematosus. It occurs when the immune system of your body starts attacking itself or becomes allergic to itself. It kind of over reacts to foreign stimulus and generates a large amount of antibodies which attack different tissues in the body. Sometimes, the autoimmune reaction is limited to the skin tissue (in discoid lupus erythematosus-DLE); in other cases the reaction is seen throughout the body (systemic lupus erythematosus-SLE). Here are more articles on autoimmune diseases.
The actual cause of the disease is still not known
The actual cause is not known because there is no defined trigger that has been identified. 'There are multiple genes implicated that increase the chances of developing lupus. Sometimes people whose family members have other autoimmune disease may develop lupus', says Dr Gattani.
Women are likelier to get it than men
Anybody can suffer from lupus but it more common in women than in men. 'Women of child bearing age are mainly affected by lupus, though it can be seen in children and elderly. It mainly affects people in their 20s and 30,' says Dr Gattani.
Patients can lead a normal life
Most people suffering from lupus can live a normal life like others. Normally, patients with lupus complain of fatigue, loss of appetite, arthritis, ulcers, muscle pain and hairfall. But complications depend on the organ under attack and the severity of the condition. Read more about controlling arthritis.
'Lupus can almost involve any organ in body and in active state can cause many complications which can be life threatening. The most common complication involves kidney damage and failure, and involvement of brain,' says Dr Gattani. Read more facts on the auto-immune disease lupus.
With inputs from PTI
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