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Selena Gomez reveals how her diagnosis of lupus caused arthritis at a young age

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The singer and actress Selena Gomez recently revealed that she had developed an arthritis linked to her lupus. She has openly discussed her battle with the lupus since 2015.

While arthritis is often perceived as the state of an elderly person, lupus can affect anyone, often much earlier in life.

The lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or LED) is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system is mistakenly attacking healthy tissues.

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The process includes several “mobile parts”, according to Dr. Irene Blanco, rheumatologist, professor and director of clinical services in Lupus at the Northwestern University Clinical Institute in Chicago.

“Lupus patients classically make antibodies that target health and healthy proteins on their own body,” she told Fox News Digital.

A woman shaking her hand to show arthritic pain

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system is mistakenly attacking healthy tissues. (istock)

These antibodies can damage joint tissues or form “immune complexes” which are deposited in the joints, causing swelling, stiffness, heat and pain, added the expert.

Dr. Adam Kreitenberg, rheumatologist and scientific advisor with 1MD nutrition in California, said that arthritis is one of the most common problems with which lupus patients are confronted, with up to 90% of people with LEDs with joint pain or arthritis at some point in their illness.

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“Lupus arthritis can be quite disabling when it is insufficient,” he told Fox News Digital.

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of people with lupus will experience joint or muscle pain.

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Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, lupus arthritis often does not cause permanent damage visible on X -rays, but it can always be deeply disabling.

Not all the pains are directly caused by the lupus, noted Blanco. Some patients develop overlapping conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Others may feel fibromyalgia, pain syndrome linked to how the brain deals with signals.

New York, NY - September 08: Selena Gomez is seen on September 08, 2025 in New York.

Selena Gomez has been frank of her diagnosis of lupus for years. She recently revealed that she suffered from arthritis linked to lupus in her hands. (Xny / star max / gc images)

“This is why it is so important to unravel the different causes of pain,” she said. “Management can change depending on what really stimulates the symptoms.”

Kreitenberg has agreed, affirming that “several factors can imitate or contribute to joint pain in lupus patients”, adding that fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and even the effects of drugs, such as joint problems or tendons induced by steroids, can play a role.

“The lupus is very different from any other disease that causes arthritis.”

Contacted by Fox News Digital, the Lupus Foundation of America provided information noting that lupus is not a form of arthritis, but that arthritis often appears as one of its most common symptoms.

“It is very important not to make this mistake, because lupus is quite different from any other disease that causes arthritis,” said the foundation on its website. “It should not be grouped with these other causes of arthritis, because the causes and treatments are very different.”

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Arthritis is caused by inflammation or wear of the body’s joints, according to the above source, while lupus arthritis is caused by inflammation.

“After a long period of uncontrolled lupus, however, people can undergo damage in the joints, which causes problems even when the lupus do not evade,” wrote the foundation.

Man suffering from hand pain

Arthritis is caused by inflammation or wear of the body’s joints, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, while lupus arthritis is caused by inflammation. (istock)

“Other forms of arthritis are caused by sports injuries, overweight or by different inflammation of the type of inflammation observed in lupus.”

The Cleveland Clinic stresses that lupus mainly affects women aged 15 to 45. For these patients, joint pain can disrupt work, school and daily life.

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“Selena Gomez is a reminder that joint pain and arthritis can be part of life even for people in their twenties and thirties,” said Kreitenberg.

The good news is that an effective treatment exists. First -line therapy generally includes hydroxychloroquine, with steroids or immunosuppressants added if necessary, but finding the right diet takes time, according to experts.

Man with Doctor Dicussing Joint Pouleurs on pain

Experts claim that the early recognition and treatment of lupus arthritis can prevent long -term disability and improve quality of life. (istock)

Kreitenberg recommends associating medical care with lifestyle strategies, such as low impact exercises such as swimming and yoga, anti-inflammatory food models associated with natural compounds such as curcumin and boswellia and good posture and appropriate shoes.

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“More importantly, a rapid assessment by a doctor is critical when new or aggravated joint pain develops,” said Kreitenberg. “Recognition and early treatment of lupus arthritis can prevent long -term disability and improve quality of life.”

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