How did Selena Gomez know she needed a kidney?

Selena Gomez realized she needed a kidney transplant because her lupus was causing her kidneys to fail, a condition called lupus nephritis, making her extremely ill and facing a long wait for a donor, eventually realizing it was a life-or-death situation when she couldn't even open a water bottle and broke down crying, prompting her friend Francia Raisa to volunteer her kidney.

What caused Selena Gomez to need a kidney transplant?

Gomez shared her lupus diagnosis in 2015 in an interview with Billboard magazine. It ultimately damaged her kidneys, and she needed a kidney transplant. Fortunately, in 2017, Gomez found a living organ donor: her friend (and fellow actor) Francia Raisa.

Who gave Selena Gomez a kidney transplant?

Selena Gomez's kidney donor, Francia Raisa, shut down rumors that they are feuding. Days before the pop star was set to marry Benny Blanco, the “Grown-ish” alum was asked about claims that she was “angry” and “disgusted” with Gomez smoking after the kidney transplant.

How long will Selena Gomez's kidney last?

Gomez, who has been open about her mental and physical health struggles for years, revealed that a donated kidney will typically last about 30 years. "Which is fine," she told Rolling Stone.

Why would someone with lupus need a kidney transplant?

What causes a person with lupus nephritis to need a kidney transplant? Despite treatment of lupus nephritis with medication, sometimes the inflammation is so severe that medication is not enough to prevent severe damage to the kidneys. Such damaged kidneys may not work well enough to clear the body of waste products.

Francia Raisa Explains How She Became Selena Gomez's Kidney Donor | Body Stories | SELF

How to avoid kidney failure with lupus?

Making healthy food and beverage choices can help protect your kidneys and manage the symptoms of lupus nephritis and other kidney problems. Try these steps: Eat less sodium (salt) to help control your blood pressure and reduce swelling. Eat smaller portions of foods with a lot of protein, like meat and dairy.

What is life expectancy after a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant significantly extends life, with a living donor kidney lasting an average of 15-20+ years and a deceased donor kidney 8-15 years, but individual outcomes vary greatly by patient health, donor age, and adherence to medical care, with some transplants functioning for decades. Patients with transplants generally live longer and have a better quality of life than those on dialysis, often living normal lives with proper care, though many may need a second transplant later.
 

How did Selena Gomez get lupus?

The cause is still unknown, but there are several things scientists believe cause a trigger, including hormones, medications, stress, genetics, pregnancy and exposure to UV light.

How can you keep your kidneys healthy?

To keep kidneys healthy, stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and manage blood pressure and blood sugar. Avoid smoking, limit alcohol, use NSAIDs cautiously, and get regular check-ups, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure. 

What famous person has one kidney?

“Simply put, I just have one kidney. This is something that I have been dealing with since birth,” Anju Bobby George told the Olympic Channel. “I was dealing with a lot of problems with my body back in 2001. It would swell up and I had immense pain.

Why didn't Selena Gomez invite her kidney donor to her wedding?

Selena Gomez didn't invite her kidney donor, Francia Raisa, to her recent wedding because their friendship had become strained and distant following the 2017 kidney transplant, with reports suggesting underlying issues, including Selena's smoking and Francia's feeling that her donation was downplayed, leading to a public rift, despite both acknowledging the surgery was a life-saving act. Raisa confirmed she wasn't there and stated, "No one knows what's going on, and neither she nor I are talking about it," implying complex, unresolved issues, though she expressed happiness for Selena.
 

Why did France give Selena a kidney?

Francia Raisa donated a kidney to Selena Gomez in 2017 because Gomez's kidneys were failing due to complications from lupus, an autoimmune disease. Raisa, a close friend, discovered she was a match and felt it was the right thing to do out of genuine kindness, giving Gomez the "ultimate gift" of a life-saving transplant.
 

What causes lupus to flare up?

Lupus flare-ups are triggered by various factors that stress the body or overstimulate the immune system, including sun exposure (UV light), infections, significant emotional or physical stress, certain medications, hormonal changes (like menstruation or pregnancy), injuries, and exhaustion, with smoking and some processed foods also potential culprits. Triggers vary by person, but recognizing them is key to managing flares, which involve a worsening of lupus symptoms.
 

What celebrities have had kidney transplants?

Fortunately, some of these famous live-kidney transplant recipients have become spokespersons for National Kidney Foundation campaigns, and some, like former NBA star Alonzo Mourning, comic George Lopez, and former NFL star John Brockington have gone so far as to launch their own kidney disease awareness foundations.

How do doctors find a kidney match?

There are actually three tests that are done to evaluate donors. They are blood type, crossmatch, and HLA testing.

What destroys the kidneys most?

The most damaging factors for kidneys are uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure, as they damage blood vessels; other major culprits include smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol, dehydration, high-sodium/sugar diets, and overuse of NSAID painkillers (like ibuprofen), all of which stress the kidneys' filtering ability and fluid balance.
 

What drink is good to flush your kidneys?

Water is the best beverage for supporting kidney health. It helps flush out toxins, maintains electrolyte balance, and prevents dehydration. Drinking at least 8–10 glasses of water daily is essential for anyone in recovery, especially those enrolled in an Alcohol Treatment Program or Drug Rehab Programs.

What are the early signs of kidney problems?

Early signs of kidney disease are often subtle, but look for changes in urination (more/less often, foamy, bloody), swelling (ankles, feet, face), persistent fatigue, itchy skin, loss of appetite, nausea, and shortness of breath, as these signal fluid buildup or waste accumulation. Since symptoms can be vague, regular checkups for risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure are crucial for early detection, say Houston Methodist, American Kidney Fund, and The Iowa Clinic.
 

What are the first warning signs of lupus?

Early lupus signs are often vague but commonly include extreme fatigue, joint pain/swelling, unexplained fevers, hair loss, and sun-sensitive rashes (like the butterfly rash on the face), along with mouth sores, swollen glands, and Raynaud's (fingers/toes turning white/blue in cold). These symptoms can come and go, appearing gradually or suddenly, and affect people differently, so seeing a doctor for a combination of these signs is important for diagnosis.
 

Why did Selena Gomez's voice change?

Selena Gomez's voice sounds different due to a combination of factors, primarily her ongoing health condition, lupus, which causes internal swelling and inflammation, affecting her throat and vocal cords, along with certain medications she takes, natural vocal development over time, and potentially some vocal training or technique changes, leading to a deeper, sometimes more monotone, texture compared to her younger, higher-pitched voice. She addressed this directly, explaining her throat swells internally, and acknowledged that medications for her health issues (like lupus) can impact her voice and body. 

What's the life expectancy of someone with lupus?

Lupus life expectancy has significantly improved due to better treatments, with 5-year survival rates now over 90-95% and many people living 20 years or more after diagnosis, similar to the general population with proper management. Key factors influencing prognosis include age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, disease severity, organ involvement (like lupus nephritis), comorbidities (like heart disease), and access to consistent, effective care, with cardiovascular disease and infections being leading causes of death.
 

How painful is a kidney transplant?

Your belly and side will be sore for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. You also may have some numbness around the cut (incision) the doctor made. You may feel tired while you are healing. It may take 3 to 6 weeks for your energy to fully return.

Can a person drink alcohol after a kidney transplant?

The recommended limits of alcohol for kidney transplant recipients are 3-4 units a day for men and 2-3 units a day for women. It is recommended that no more than 14 units of alcohol are consumed, with at least a few alcohol-free days, each week, for both male and female kidney transplant recipients.

How long does donating a kidney take off your life?

A donor loses 25% to 35% of their kidney function. To compensate, the remaining kidney increases in size. The data show that donating a kidney does not affect the donor's life expectancy. People on the kidney transplant list wait an average of three to five years for an organ.