Ammon News - Singer and actress Selena Gomez recently revealed that she developed arthritis related to her lupus. She has openly discussed her battle with lupus since 2015.

While arthritis is often perceived as an older person's condition, lupus can affect anyone, often much earlier in life.

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

The process involves several "moving parts," according to Irene Blanco, professor and director of lupus clinical services at Northwestern University's Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute in Chicago.

"Lupus patients classically make antibodies that target their own body's healthy proteins and structures," she told Fox News Digital.

These antibodies can damage joint tissues or form "immune complexes" that settle in the joints, causing swelling, stiffness, warmth and pain, the expert added.

Fox News