Your immune system is designed to defend your body against foreign invaders such as germs, bacteria, viruses, toxins, and more.
But with lupus – a chronic autoimmune disease – your body’s immune system does the opposite by attacking its own healthy cells and tissues. The disease causes inflammation, which can lead to flare-ups that affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs.
For Black Americans, their lupus may look much different from that of other races. In fact, Black people in the United States are more likely to develop lupus, with a severe case and higher risk of death, according to Healthline.
Several Black celebrities have been lupus advocates, raising awareness of the condition. Recently, star actor Nick Cannon opened up about living with the condition on an episode of “Club Shay Shay”.
He updated fans on “Club Shay Shay” about his ongoing battle with lupus, describing it as an “unseen struggle” that causes pain, swelling, and extreme fatigue.
“A lot of people don’t know what you’re going through until it’s too late, until I am in the hospital,” Cannon said.
“Your immune system attacks your organs,” Cannon said. “It’s funny because your immune system is built to protect you…lupus is like ICE, ‘ain’t ya’ll supposed to be protecting us, ya’ll are whopping are a**.’ ”
Black and Hispanic women more often receive a lupus diagnosis at a younger age than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
RELATED: Black History of Health: Nick Cannon
It’s important to know the symptoms of lupus and to find care so you can improve your health outcomes. A rash is one of the most common lupus symptoms, which can appear on the face and spread across the nose and cheeks, according to Healthline.
Black Americans and others with darker skin tones are more likely to develop discoid lupus erythematosus, the most common type of skin lupus. This can cause raised, disc-shaped patches that may develop into dark spots and permanent scars as they fade.
In addition to rashes, lupus may cause other symptoms in people with the condition, including Black people.
Lupus can cause severe pain, Cannon said. “Sometimes I can’t even get out of bed. And it feels like arthritis. Your body swells up.”
Some common lupus symptoms are:
Meanwhile, Healthline pointed out that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type of lupus, and is two to three times more common in Black people. This type of lupus affects multiple body systems.
Cannon, who has been open about his battle with lupus for several years, said lupus targets his kidneys specifically. People have suggested that he get a new kidney, but his focus is on managing his condition overall, Cannon added.
“It’s a tricky disease because the things that a lot of times I am fighting are the things that my immune system actually broke down,” he said. “My lupus attacks my kidneys. So I got more damage in my kidneys because of what my body has done to my kidneys.”
He stated that his gym routine and eating whole foods over processed foods are key to preventing flare-ups.
“You get your diet right, you get the proper rest and recovery,” Cannon said. “I feel like I am at my best when I am in the best shape. I feel like the lupus is at bay when I am in the gym five times a week…food is fuel. I am trying to eat to live.”
According to the CDC, lupus symptoms can vary, so a treatment plan depends on an individual’s specific needs. To manage symptoms, you should:
Another important part of managing the condition is making healthy choices, the CDC noted. That includes:
Other tips are prioritizing hydration and an anti-inflammatory diet, managing stress, and tracking flare-ups so you can catch symptoms early.
“There are a lot of medicines that I have been taking over the last decade or so that are doing great work,” Cannon said. “They did me justice.”
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