When Sushmita Sen opened up about overcoming a major health crisis: ‘I was declared steroid-dependent for life'
Sushmita Sen has always been an inspirational role model. The Main Hoon Na actor once opened up about battling a major health crisis in 2014 and eventually emerging victorious. 'I was told by all the doctors possible that I had to change my profession. I said, No, I won't give it up. I am going to do it as much as I can and be done when I am done. There is a hormone in the body called cortisol. My adrenal glands had stopped producing it. I had gone into an adrenal crisis. I was declared steroid-dependent for life, which means that I had to take a medicine called Hydrocortisone, which is a steroid, every eight hours to stay alive,' Sen told Rajeev Masand in 2019.
That's when she decided to take matters into her own hands. 'I thought I would go down fighting. I am not going down as a patient. The doctor said not to do any anti-gravity movements. The first thing I did was call my trainer and say, we start gymnastics. We get on anti-gravity because if they are telling me that it is the only thing that I am not going to do, I am going to do it. I don't like who I am becoming in the attempt to survive. This is not the best advice for people suffering from certain conditions. It's who my body needed to be. It's different when you listen to your body. It's different,' expressed Sen.
Adding that she 'went through detoxing,' the former Miss Universe said: 'I went through everything possible that you can think of medically, but I introduced aerial circuit, anti-gravity, and I went back to yoga.'
Following a collapsing episode, Sen recalled that the treating doctor apprised her of her miraculous recovery.
'When I collapsed, I was rushed to Abu Dhabi, and then they discharged me from there to go back to Dubai. I was driving down when the Turkish doctor called up and said, Don't take the pill. Your body is producing the hormone now. He said that in 35 years of his practice, somebody with an adrenal failure has never come back to producing cortisol again. He said, I cannot believe I have tested it three times. Needless to say, I was stunned. I waited for the moment to hear these very words,' Sen recalled.
Taking a cue from her candid confession, let's understand all about this cortisol hormone and how adrenal failure is a genuine concern.
Dr Manisha Arora, director of internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said that the hormonal issue being referred to here is Addison's disease, a rare endocrine disorder caused by damage to the adrenal glands.
'These glands are responsible for producing important hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol, in particular, plays a crucial role in regulating several vital body functions, including the stress response, blood sugar regulation, fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism, inflammation control, and immune system function. When the adrenal glands are impaired, they produce insufficient amounts of cortisol, leading to a condition known as Addison's crisis, which can be life-threatening if not managed promptly,' said Dr Arora.
When the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate cortisol, the body cannot cope with stress, whether physical, emotional, or related to illness. 'This results in persistent fatigue, weakness, weight loss, muscle wasting, and low blood pressure (hypotension),' said Dr Arora.
The root cause could be an autoimmune reaction, infections such as tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS, or other rare conditions like sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, or even damage from surgery or cancer metastasis, she said. 'Since the body can no longer produce cortisol on its own, patients with Addison's disease must rely on lifelong steroid replacement therapy, typically in the form of hydrocortisone. This replacement is essential for survival and daily functioning, and dosage must be adjusted under medical supervision during illnesses or stressful events,' said Dr Arora.
While Addison's disease requires lifelong medical management, Dr Arora said natural regulation of cortisol production is possible in individuals with normally functioning adrenal glands. 'Practices such as maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, ensuring proper sleep hygiene, and managing stress through meditation and yoga can help maintain healthy cortisol rhythms,' said Dr Arora.
However, Dr Arora contended that these natural methods cannot replace cortisol in individuals with Addison's disease whose adrenal glands are no longer functional. 'In such cases, only medically prescribed steroid therapy can fulfill the body's hormonal needs,' said Dr Arora.
Dr Arora reiterated that it's essential to understand that Addison's disease is a serious medical condition requiring lifelong physician-guided management. While adopting a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for everyone, it cannot replace prescribed steroid therapy in people with adrenal insufficiency, she said.
'Misconceptions that stress management techniques or natural remedies alone can control this condition are dangerous. Patients must remain under the care of a healthcare provider who can identify the root cause of adrenal damage, whether it be autoimmune, infectious, or cancerous, and guide them through the correct treatment protocol, including emergency dose adjustments when needed,' said Dr Arora.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
When Sushmita Sen opened up about overcoming a major health crisis: ‘I was declared steroid-dependent for life'
Sushmita Sen has always been an inspirational role model. The Main Hoon Na actor once opened up about battling a major health crisis in 2014 and eventually emerging victorious. 'I was told by all the doctors possible that I had to change my profession. I said, No, I won't give it up. I am going to do it as much as I can and be done when I am done. There is a hormone in the body called cortisol. My adrenal glands had stopped producing it. I had gone into an adrenal crisis. I was declared steroid-dependent for life, which means that I had to take a medicine called Hydrocortisone, which is a steroid, every eight hours to stay alive,' Sen told Rajeev Masand in 2019. That's when she decided to take matters into her own hands. 'I thought I would go down fighting. I am not going down as a patient. The doctor said not to do any anti-gravity movements. The first thing I did was call my trainer and say, we start gymnastics. We get on anti-gravity because if they are telling me that it is the only thing that I am not going to do, I am going to do it. I don't like who I am becoming in the attempt to survive. This is not the best advice for people suffering from certain conditions. It's who my body needed to be. It's different when you listen to your body. It's different,' expressed Sen. Adding that she 'went through detoxing,' the former Miss Universe said: 'I went through everything possible that you can think of medically, but I introduced aerial circuit, anti-gravity, and I went back to yoga.' Following a collapsing episode, Sen recalled that the treating doctor apprised her of her miraculous recovery. 'When I collapsed, I was rushed to Abu Dhabi, and then they discharged me from there to go back to Dubai. I was driving down when the Turkish doctor called up and said, Don't take the pill. Your body is producing the hormone now. He said that in 35 years of his practice, somebody with an adrenal failure has never come back to producing cortisol again. He said, I cannot believe I have tested it three times. Needless to say, I was stunned. I waited for the moment to hear these very words,' Sen recalled. Taking a cue from her candid confession, let's understand all about this cortisol hormone and how adrenal failure is a genuine concern. Dr Manisha Arora, director of internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said that the hormonal issue being referred to here is Addison's disease, a rare endocrine disorder caused by damage to the adrenal glands. 'These glands are responsible for producing important hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol, in particular, plays a crucial role in regulating several vital body functions, including the stress response, blood sugar regulation, fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism, inflammation control, and immune system function. When the adrenal glands are impaired, they produce insufficient amounts of cortisol, leading to a condition known as Addison's crisis, which can be life-threatening if not managed promptly,' said Dr Arora. When the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate cortisol, the body cannot cope with stress, whether physical, emotional, or related to illness. 'This results in persistent fatigue, weakness, weight loss, muscle wasting, and low blood pressure (hypotension),' said Dr Arora. The root cause could be an autoimmune reaction, infections such as tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS, or other rare conditions like sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis, or even damage from surgery or cancer metastasis, she said. 'Since the body can no longer produce cortisol on its own, patients with Addison's disease must rely on lifelong steroid replacement therapy, typically in the form of hydrocortisone. This replacement is essential for survival and daily functioning, and dosage must be adjusted under medical supervision during illnesses or stressful events,' said Dr Arora. While Addison's disease requires lifelong medical management, Dr Arora said natural regulation of cortisol production is possible in individuals with normally functioning adrenal glands. 'Practices such as maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, ensuring proper sleep hygiene, and managing stress through meditation and yoga can help maintain healthy cortisol rhythms,' said Dr Arora. However, Dr Arora contended that these natural methods cannot replace cortisol in individuals with Addison's disease whose adrenal glands are no longer functional. 'In such cases, only medically prescribed steroid therapy can fulfill the body's hormonal needs,' said Dr Arora. Dr Arora reiterated that it's essential to understand that Addison's disease is a serious medical condition requiring lifelong physician-guided management. While adopting a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for everyone, it cannot replace prescribed steroid therapy in people with adrenal insufficiency, she said. 'Misconceptions that stress management techniques or natural remedies alone can control this condition are dangerous. Patients must remain under the care of a healthcare provider who can identify the root cause of adrenal damage, whether it be autoimmune, infectious, or cancerous, and guide them through the correct treatment protocol, including emergency dose adjustments when needed,' said Dr Arora. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Given 100 days to live, how Arjun Sen fought cancer with science and self-care
At 32, Arjun Sen had never been inside a hospital. But this time, it wasn't for a routine check-up. It was day, during a meeting, Sen began throwing up blood and was immediately rushed to the emergency room, where he found his world changed in a momen, diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, with early signs of colorectal cancer as cancer develops in the larynx, a person's voice box. When tumor develops, it changes the voice of a person, causes trouble in breathing and swallowing, among other symptoms. It is a type of head and neck cancer, a highly prevalent cancer diagnosed mostly in Indian men. "The moment the wristband was put on me and I sat in a wheelchair, I lost all control in my life," Arjun Sen, author and mind architect, founder & CEO of ZenMango, told those early days, the prognosis was dire.'When my doctors first told me about the seriousness of my diagnosis, they used the 100 days reference to simply create an urgency that I must start my treatment as soon as possible, I did not know how to act and went into a denial and shut-down mode. I literally locked myself in my house and hid from the world," Sen wasn't until his young daughter asked him three simple but piercing questions that Sen began to see things differently.'The reframing began when my three-year-old daughter asked me, 'What is dying? Are you dying? And will you dance at my wedding?' The three questions broke through my mental block. I realised that I have a purpose, a cute purpose, in life. I wanted to live, I wanted to put my best effort to live," he also began to challenge the way he interpreted medical predictions, realising that medicine are a treatment profession and not a predictive profession. It wasn't until his young daughter asked him three simple but piercing questions that Sen began to see things differently. While he appreciated the care and the urgency created by the doctors, he knew there was a chance that they were wrong."I understood the odds they 'gave' were not in my favour but also, they were not zero. So my unquit journey to healing began when I was able to successfully whoosh the 100 days prediction 'given' to me," he FROM CANCERAs the treatments began, which included surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy, Sen realised that his own actions would be just as crucial as medical intervention."I couldn't simply sit back and let my doctors do everything. I felt they ran the first leg of the relay by treating me and then it was up to me to take care of myself," he began with one of the most overlooked aspects of life: how time is spent. Instead of stealing time from his family and work, he reprioritised sleep and approach to food also transformed during recovery."Food is the fuel for my body. Just like I am extra cautious about the kind of gas (petrol) I put in my car, the same way I will use the same diligence in food selection. I put all my food into three groups, group 1: Eat a lot, group 2: Never eat, and group 3: eat just a little to taste. Setting rules and boundaries helped me," Sen physical activity and self-awareness became part of his daily routine. 'I realized my body had taken a beating and was weaker than before. As I took that body through a tougher unquit journey, I wanted to take the best care of myself," he STRENGTHAs he navigated the side effects of cancer treatment, Sen leaned on his mental strength and self-compassion, not letting acknowledgement turn into self-pity or found joy and empowerment in even the most vulnerable moments.'For example, when I started losing hair, I got a hair buzzer. I invited some of my best friends over for a pizza party. At the end of the party, I put some music on and we all took turns to buzz my hair off. It made me feel that even in the toughest of days, we can still control our journey in life," Sen of course, recovery had its ups and downs. 'At the end of the first set of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, I slowly started to get back into healing. But there was no respite. There were setbacks, some as a side effect of the surgeries. Keeping my mind calm and strong through it all was key," he compares it to a math puzzle he loved as a up, this was my favorite math problem. A monkey is trying to climb a 50 feet slippery pole. It rises 1 metre in every one minute and slips 1/2 meters in every next minute. What time will he reach the top? My life soon became the same problem. The only difference was at times I would slip more than I would rise," he IMMUNITYAfter the treatment, Sen remained disciplined in protecting his health by taking shorter meals more frequently.'At home there would be no plants or flowers. When I returned from therapy or treatment, for days my family would limit the number of guests in the house. I even got masks for them. I truly made my healing a priority, he believes two things mattered most: his people and his more than two decades later, his body is cancer-free, and his outlook remains grounded in readiness, not denial.'My prognosis is simple; today my body is cancer free, but my mind will be forever cancer free. I live in the truth. I never tell myself that tomorrow will be easier. It may not be, but I am ready to fight in the world of 'when cancer is back' and not hide myself in the world of 'if cancer is back.'' he extraordinary story of resilience has inspired a feature film called I Want To Talk starring Abhishek Bachchan, directed by Shoojit Sircar, and released in to him, the message is simple: 'If we can never lose our smile and stay positive in the journey, then unquit becomes our DNA and true self descriptor.'
The Wire
6 days ago
- The Wire
How Turkey, Morocco and Eid al-Adha Were Misrepresented by Indian Media
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now media How Turkey, Morocco and Eid al-Adha Were Misrepresented by Indian Media Afroz Alam Sahil 7 minutes ago The decision to ban animal sacrifice in Morocco and the high number of injuries in Turkey were represented very differently on social and news media. Eid al-Adha prayers in Istanbul. Photo: Afroz Alam Sahil. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now 'A total of 14,372 people were injured across Türkiye during animal sacrifices carried out for Eid al-Adha. The highest number of injuries were reported in Ankara (1,049), followed by Istanbul (753) and Konya (655),' said a report. When I asked a Turkish journalist about the 'high number of injuries' during Eid al-Adha he said that many feel that they can perform the animal sacrifice – a job that requires skill – themselves. Locals tell me that most people who end up in hospitals during Eid al-Adha in Türkiye suffer only minor injuries – the kind that, in countries like India, are often treated at home or with a quick visit to a local pharmacy. However, in Türkiye, even for such small issues, people often go to the hospital – especially during public holidays, when family doctors are also on leave for five days. Interestingly, Türkiye has a well-structured primary healthcare system where every individual is assigned a family doctor. These doctors handle minor health concerns and routine care — a service also available to many foreign residents. The injury statistics were widely reported in the Turkish media, based on data released by health minister, Kemal Memişoğlu. The goal behind publicising these numbers was to urge people not to perform animal sacrifices on their own, but instead to rely on trained butchers to reduce the risk of accidents. Distorted coverage However, in India, the statistics were manipulated by some media outlets to stir communal tensions. Some Hindi-language news websites framed the story through a lens of prejudice, using it to further divisive narratives. One striking example comes from Zee News Hindi, which ran the headline: 'Preparations were underway for animal sacrifice on Bakrid, suddenly 14,000 people injured, chaos in hospitals.' The article continued with misleading claims, such as, 'In Türkiye, considered a close ally of Pakistan, animals for sacrifice were seen running wild on the streets during Bakrid, with people chasing them. More than 14,000 were injured in the stampede.' Ironically, the same article ended with a disclaimer stating, 'Dear readers, this news is intended for awareness. The videos included have been sourced from foreign X handles. Zee News does not verify the claims made in them. The intention is not to hurt anyone's sentiments.' Such framing not only distorts facts but also shifts the focus from public safety – Türkiye's actual concern – to communal sensationalism, which undermines journalistic integrity and responsible reporting. Morocco's decision Morocco's decision to suspend animal sacrifice (qurbani) during Eid al-Adha in 2025 due to livestock shortages and worsening climate conditions was also distorted in Indian media. The sensitivity of the timing is worth noting: this discussion in Indian media surfaced just as certain far-right groups were demanding a ban on animal sacrifice in India, as they do every year. Morocco was repeatedly cited as an example to justify their position. However, what was often left out of these narratives was the fact that Morocco's decision had been made back in February, well in advance of the festival. The country, facing a climate emergency – where over 92% of its land is now classified as dry or semi-arid – had taken the decision as part of broader efforts to address an agricultural and environmental crisis. Official Moroccan data indicates that the number of locally bred sheep and goats available in slaughterhouses this year has dropped to approximately 1.5 million — less than half the usual 3.5 million. This falls significantly short of the estimated six million animals typically needed to meet demand during Eid al-Adha across the country. By removing the environmental and economic context, and reframing the story as a religious or political statement, sections of the Indian media distorted the intent behind Morocco's decision, turning a climate-conscious move into a communal flashpoint. Some websites framed it as 'a strong message from Morocco to the global Muslim community, including India.' Some outlets portrayed Morocco as if it were representative of the entire Muslim world, ignoring the fact that Morocco's total population is just 37.7 million, roughly equal to the population of Delhi alone. On social media too, Morocco's decision was widely misrepresented, with many voices calling for a ban on animal sacrifice in India by citing Morocco as a model. One must remember how in 2020, an attempt was made to incite hatred in India during Eid al-Adha by circulating a video from Morocco on social media. Nepal Even Nepal was brought into the conversation to fuel communal tensions around animal sacrifice. For instance, ABP News published a report stating: 'There is a festival in Nepal called the Gadhimai festival, where animal sacrifice has been completely banned. In the past, hundreds of thousands of animals were sacrificed at the Gadhimai Temple, but in 2015, a ban was imposed to protect animals.' However, multiple independent reports contradict this simplified narrative. A BBC investigation in 2019 revealed that despite the official ban, animal sacrifices continued. Similarly, Time magazine reported in 2024 that approximately 250,000 animals were sacrificed during the 2019 edition of what it called 'the world's bloodiest festival.' According to the animal rights organisation Animal Equality, this tradition was still ongoing as of 2024. The Gadhimai festival is a Hindu religious festival held every five years at the Gadhimai Temple in Bariyarpur, about 160 kilometres south of Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. Preparedness and economic significance in Türkiye Despite the injuries, Türkiye prepared well. In Istanbul alone, the Turkish government deployed 62,200 healthcare workers across 53 public hospitals during Eid al-Adha this year. Specifically, 15,467 of them were assigned to emergency departments. Additionally, 6,234 healthcare personnel were on 24-hour duty within emergency services, including the 112 emergency call center and the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE). Eid al-Adha is also crucial for Türkiye's leather industry, which depends heavily on the skin collected during the festival. Burak Uyguner, vice-president of the Istanbul Leather Exporters Association, estimated in 2022 that these skins were worth 500 million Turkish Liras before processing, rising to 5 billion TL afterward (at the time, one TL was about Rs 9). He warned that burning or burying skins could cause severe environmental harm. Türkiye exported $2.57 billion worth of leather products in 2022, underscoring the festival's economic significance. Afroz Alam Sahil is a freelance journalist and author. He can be contacted at @afrozsahil on X. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News In Photos: Eid in Srinagar Developments in Syria a 'Conspiracy Between Israel, Turkey & US': Former Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad An MoU Cancelled Is an Opportunity Lost 'Attack on Religious Right of Kashmir's Muslims,' Says Mirwaiz as J&K Govt Bar Eid Prayers at Srinagar Eidgah Full Text | India-Turkey Relationship Before and After the Recent Conflict With Pakistan India Discusses Celebi's Security Clearance Revocation With Turkish Embassy Tharoor's Jibe at Kerala's 2023 Aid to Turkey Skips Mention of Modi Govt's Operation Dost FIR Against Amit Malviya, Arnab After Republic Implies Turkish Convention Hall Is Congress Office Listen: India's Reaction to Turkey is Understandable, But We Should Not Give Up on Diplomacy with it About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
