Everything you need to know about lupus as singer Halsey opens up about her health battle

American singer-songwriter Halsey – whose pronouns are she/they – opened up about their recent health struggles to her 31.4 million Instagram followers this week. Halsey fifth studio album and lead single, The End, on Instagram.

They wrote: “In short, I am lucky to be alive. In short, I wrote an album.”

It goes on to show emotional pictures and videos of the Without Me pop star in hospital receiving treatment and saying their health makes them “feel like an old lady”, alongside tags from the Lupus Research Alliance and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The post prompted thousands of heartfelt comments and well wishes from fans and other celebrities, including Katy Perry, who said: “I love you sweet girl.”

Commenting on the American singer’s recent announcement, Albert T. Roy, CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance, said: “The Lupus Research Alliance applauds Halsey’s courage in using her platform to raise awareness and support for much-needed research to find new treatments and diagnoses. for a disease that affects each person differently. Their candor elevates the conversation to shine a light on a serious autoimmune disease that is often overlooked and misdiagnosed.

“This is an extremely hopeful time in lupus, with many potential therapies in development.”

What is lupus?

Bupa UK describes lupus as an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by the immune system reacting against the body’s tissues, leading to inflammation in different parts of the body. For this reason, it can affect the joints and skin of sufferers, as well as the kidneys and lungs.

The health company also states that the condition can be mild or severe and that it is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 55. There are different types of lupus, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus.

What are the symptoms?

According to the NHS, joint and muscle pain, extreme fatigue and rashes – often on the nose and cheeks – can be early signs of the condition. However, Dr. Sarah Brewer, an independent medical nutritionist (drsarahbrewer.com) said symptoms can vary from patient to patient.

“People with lupus can have many different symptoms,” Brewer explained. “A characteristic rash may appear on the nose and cheeks, resembling the shape of a butterfly. Rashes can also appear on the ears, arms, shoulders, chest and palms of the hands.

“Chest pains, hair loss, dry mouth and eyes, mouth ulcers and a rash after exposure to sunlight are some of the less obvious symptoms of lupus,” she added. Be aware of swollen glands, difficulty swallowing, headaches, dizziness, and kidney problems. Raynaud’s phenomenon, where the fingers turn white, blue and then red when exposed to cold temperatures, is also common.”

How is it treated?

People with persistent lupus symptoms are advised to contact their local GP as the condition is better managed if caught and treated early. Getting the diagnosis will usually involve a combination of blood tests and a referral to a specialist, who will look at both test results and symptom patterns.

Common treatment for lupus on the NHS includes anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, hydroxychloroquine for fatigue and skin and joint problems, and/or steroid tablets, injections and creams for kidney inflammation and rashes. According to the medical body, immunosuppressant drugs or biologic drugs are also sometimes used to treat severe lupus because they can help calm or control the patient’s immune system.

Lifestyle changes can also play an important role in managing the condition, such as eating well, keeping stress levels under control, and getting plenty of rest.