What is lupus and how does it affect people as Halsey reveals “health scare” to social media fans

Fans of musician Halsey have come out in force on social media this week after the artist disclosed she was “lucky to be alive” after another health scare - with the singer hinting that she might be suffering from the autoimmune disease lupus.

Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Halsey shared a video showing her rubbing her legs and admitting to friends in the room that she felt like an old woman, captioning the video “Long story short, I'm lucky to be alive. Short story long, I wrote an album."

Proceeds from her new album are said to be donated by the Lupus Research Alliance and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, two organisations that were tagged in Halsey’s social media post. 

Though the artists didn’t specifically give any details on the chronic illness she was dealing with, there have been enough hints for people to speculate that lupus might indeed be her current affliction.

What is lupus?

Lupus, according to the NHS (National Health Service), is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the joints, skin, and other organs. It's an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue. Symptoms can vary widely and may include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and fever. In severe cases, lupus can affect the kidneys, heart, or lungs.

While there is currently no cure for lupus, treatment aims to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This typically involves medication such as anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants. Additionally, lifestyle changes like protecting the skin from sunlight, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet can help manage symptoms.

How could lupus affect a musician such as Halsey?

For a musician like Halsey, the condition can have various impacts on her career. Flare-ups of symptoms like fatigue or joint pain may affect her ability to perform or participate in promotional activities. 

Additionally, side effects from medication or the need for regular medical appointments may disrupt her schedule.

Have any other names from the entertainment world admitted they suffer from it?

Selena Gomez

In an interview with Billboard in 2017, Selena Gomez opened up about her lupus diagnosis and the kidney transplant she underwent due to complications from the disease. She said, "It was really kind of life or death. My kidneys were just done. That was it, and I didn't want to ask a single person in my life."

Nick Cannon 

Nick Cannon revealed his lupus diagnosis in 2012; in an interview with People magazine, he spoke about his struggle with lupus nephritis, a type of lupus that affects the kidneys. He said, "I never really spoke on it because I didn't want to feel like I'm complaining, but I'm dealing with it."

Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton has been candid about her experiences with lupus. In her memoir "Unbreak My Heart," she wrote about the challenges of managing the disease while maintaining her career. She said, "Some days I can't balance. I just fall. But I get back up. It's like a broken leg that never heals perfectly."

Seal

Seal has spoken about his lupus diagnosis and how it has affected his life and career. In an interview with People, he discussed the toll that lupus has taken on his health. He said, "The implications of having an autoimmune disease are profound, but not as life-changing as the change of lifestyle."