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Being diagnosed with a chronic condition like lupus can feel isolating, especially if you don’t know anyone else who has gone through it. The autoimmune condition can cause inflammation of the skin, heart, kidneys, lungs, joints, and other parts of the body. Side effects include overwhelming fatigue, skin rashes, chronic pain, fevers, kidney damage, heart problems, depression, and changes in weight.
Although The Lupus Foundation estimates that 1.5 million Americans live with some form of lupus, it’s not always talked about in mainstream media. Lupus is considered an “invisible illness,” meaning the symptoms don’t always manifest in a way you can see. This may lead others to underestimate and invalidate the severity of the condition, which can feel just as debilitating as the physical symptoms.
Fortunately, with celebrities like Selena Gomez, Toni Braxton, and Nick Cannon speaking out about their own diagnoses, more and more people are learning what it looks like to live with lupus. These celebs have all used their platforms to bring more attention to the condition, educating the public on how chronic illness affects their own lives, and how it impacts the lives of others. Ahead, check out seven celebrities who have shared their candid experiences with lupus.
— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante