@selenagomez

Ever since Selena Gomez opened up about her battle with lupus last year, the Bad Liar singer has been completely transparent regarding her experience with this health condition.

Most recently, the IG queen shared a photo on Instagram about receiving a kidney transplant earlier this summer. In the photos, she unveils post-op shots including one with her close friend and kidney donor, actress Francia Raisa (widely known for her role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager).

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

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Not only is Gomez’s post so brave and inspiring (imagine being this vulnerable in front of 126 million people), it’s also shifting the attention on a serious women’s health issue that affects 1.5 million Americans (90 percent of whom are female).

If you don’t know what lupus is, we break it down below:

What is it?
When you have lupus, your immune system is unable to differentiate foreign invaders (aka viruses, bacteria, and germs) and your body’s healthy tissues. As a result, the immune system starts to attack healthy cells and tissues, damaging many parts of the body such as the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.

Who gets lupus?
While anyone can get lupus, it mostly affects women of childbearing age (ages between 15 and 44). It’s also two to three times more likely to affect women of color.

Any signs and symptoms?
The most common symptoms include pain or swelling in joints, muscle pain, fever, red rashes, chest pain, hair loss, pale or purple fingers or toes, fatigue, swelling in legs or around eyes, mouth ulcers, swollen glands, and sensitivity to the sun. It’s important to note that symptoms can come and go and new symptoms may appear at any time.

How is it treated?
Because lupus can affect your body in different ways, you may need a different kind of doctor depending on the types of symptoms you have. The doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that you’re comfortable with and can be adjusted as new symptoms arise. The goals of the treatments are to prevent flares (the times when a person is having symptoms), treat flares when they occur, and reduce organ damage.

For more information, visit lupusresearch.org.

xx, The FabFitFun Team