In an emotional and candid disclosure, famous singer Halsey revealed her battle with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. Best known for songs like ‘Without Me’ and ‘Eastside’, the 29-year-old singer had been missing from the music scenario for quite some time, and music lovers were going gaga over the reason behind the silence. But Halsey returned not just with new music but also with an emotional revelation about her Lupus diagnosis.
Halsey's Battle with Lupus
Halsey shared a few intimate videos and photos showing her battle. In one most potent video of them all, Halsey can be seen making faces of pain and is heard describing that she feels "like an old lady." She had always thought she'd recover before facing such a severe illness until she turned 30. Still, Lupus came to her without any warning, thus questioning her plans for the future.
But the ordeal wasn't going to be a dampener for the famed artist. She sees her 30s in a very different light. The singer is going to fight and get all the exuberance and effervescence in her life. In her own words, "I'm not gonna be sick, and I'm gonna look super hot and have lots of energy and will get to redo my 20s in my 30s.". She didn't mention the name of the ailment in her social media posts, but she tagged the LUPUS foundation and another charity that comes to the aid of LUPUS-affected patients, thereby making the diagnosis very clear.
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What is Lupus?
As per Dr Shaloo Bhasin Gagneja, Consultant - Rheumatology, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, l lupus is an autoimmune, chronic condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and inflames healthy body tissues. This affects joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and even the brain.
Lupus can exist in various forms:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): The commonest form of lupus, which may be mild or intense, affecting several body organs in a combined form.
- Neonatal Lupus: A rare form that affects newborns; this is usually due to antibodies passing from the pregnant parent.
- Drug-induced Lupus: Due to some medications. It often goes away when the patient stops taking the medicine.
How To Identify Symptoms of Lupus
Symptoms of lupus are wide-ranging and often appear to be other illnesses; hence lupus has been termed the 'great imitator'. Still, various symptoms are common. These include:
- Aching Joints and Swelling: Arthritis-like, often with morning stiffness.
- Fever: Unexplained by any other conditions — fevers that indicate an autoimmune process.
- Fatigue: Tiredness that is severe enough to limit major daily activities.
- Skin Rashes: Especially the ‘butterfly rash’, that is present across the cheeks and nose.
- Chest Pain: Pain on deep breaths that is caused by pleurisy, or inflammation around the lining covering the lungs.
- Hair Loss: patches or thinning.
- Raynaud's Disease: Fingers or toes turn pale or purple when exposed to cold or stress.
- Photosensitivity: Skin rashes and reactions from being in the sun.
- Swelling: Around the eyes or the legs.
- Mouth Sores: Sores found inside the mouth.
- Enlarged and Tender Lymph Nodes: Swollen glands.
- Problems with Thinking and Memory: This includes confusion or memory problems.
Lupus is an unpredictable disease with periods of flaring and remission. The flares may be severe and mild, and some symptoms may be new.
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of Lupus is not definitively known, but it is thought to develop based on the interaction between hormones, genetics, and environmental factors. Possible triggers are;
- Genetics: A family history of Lupus or other autoimmune diseases can increase risk.
- Environmental Factors: Sunlight, infections, and some medications.
- Hormonal Factors: Since lupus more frequently occurs among women and most especially at the childbearing age suggests that there may be hormonal influences.
Advocacy and Hope for Halsey
By being candid about her diagnosis, Halsey has not only drawn awareness to the plight of those with Lupus but also shed light on the importance of awareness and research on the condition. By sharing her journey, she has been able to attract the attention of millions to a disease which is often misconstrued and affects millions globally.
Her story reminds those struggling with chronic illnesses that it is very possible to weather through the storm with resiliency and optimism. As Halsey goes through her treatment and up until now, the will to get her life and career back is a strong and powerful inspiration for perseverance.
Bottomline
In the end, Lupus is a severe and sometimes crippling disease, but with good care and a supporting life, sufferers can look forward to productive life. Halsey's revelation reminds everyone about the kind of strength and courage required to deal with something of such a huge magnitude, and her advocacy may just lead to more understanding and better therapies for Lupus in the future.