Latest news with #Addison'sDisease
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Sushmita Sen was told to take a medicine every 8 hours for the rest of her life to survive. How she overcame health challenges and pill dependency
Choosing a Different Path An Unbelievable Turnaround Understanding Addison's Disease: A Complete Breakdown What Causes Addison's Disease? Common Warning Signs Persistent nausea accompanied by vomiting Pain or discomfort in the abdominal region Frequent episodes of diarrhea A noticeable reduction in hunger or interest in food Unexplained weight loss Aching in muscles and joints Involuntary muscle cramps or twitching Ongoing feelings of muscle fatigue or weakness Sushmita Sen is no stranger to battling a health crisis. The 'Main Hoon Na' actress, who survived a massive heart attack in 2023, had been living with Addison's Disease, a rare autoimmune disorder , since 2014, and was told point-blank by her doctors that she had to take a steroid called hydrocortisone every eight hours to prolong her life.'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,' she told Rajeev Masand in the actress was determined not to rely on drugs to stay the diagnosis, Sushmita wasn't willing to accept a future that relied solely on pharmaceuticals. As soon as she grasped the seriousness of her condition, she made a decisive call to her fitness trainer and asked to begin training in gymnastics—something completely out of the ordinary for someone in her condition.'The doctor said not to do any anti-gravity movements. The first thing I did was call my trainer... I don't like who I am becoming in the attempt to survive.' she told MasandShe expressed a strong desire to try anti-gravity workouts, a form of aerial fitness, and pushed herself to defy the limitations that doctors had placed on her. She admitted that while this approach may not be advisable for everyone, especially those battling chronic diseases, she believed that her body was trying to guide her in a different also adopted a comprehensive detox program, trying every medical protocol she could. Along with that, she reintroduced yoga, aerial exercises, and anti-gravity training into her life. These became her tools not just for survival, but for day, her journey took a shocking turn. After she collapsed unexpectedly, Sushmita was rushed from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for emergency medical care. Following her treatment, she was released and began her journey back to Dubai. During that time, her doctor from Turkey reached out with astonishing news. He told her to stop taking the hydrocortisone. Her body had started naturally producing cortisol again. The doctor, astounded, mentioned that in his 35 years of experience, he had never seen someone with adrenal failure regain natural hormone function. He had triple-checked the test results and was still in Sushmita, that moment was overwhelming—like receiving a divine message she had long waited for. Her body, once written off as steroid-dependent, had fought back and healed itself in a way that stunned even the most seasoned disease is a rare yet serious medical condition that arises when the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate amounts of specific vital hormones. According to a report from Harvard Health Publishing, this disorder particularly affects the production of cortisol—a hormone that plays a central role in the body's response to stress—and aldosterone, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium and potassium. These minerals directly influence the volume of fluids in the body and help regulate blood pressure. Addison's disease falls under the category of adrenal insufficiency, where the glands don't function to their full primary cause of Addison's disease is damage to the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular organs situated above each kidney. These glands are essential for the release of various hormones that control metabolism, manage blood pressure, and support immune system performance. In the majority of cases—up to 90 percent—this damage results from an autoimmune reaction. This means that the body's immune system, which is designed to defend against harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands instead. Over time, this misguided attack impairs the glands' ability to produce hormones, leading to the development of Addison's with Addison's disease typically experience a broad range of physical symptoms, many of which are related to hormonal imbalances in the body. These symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen over time if not treated. They include:These signs are the body's way of signaling that the adrenal glands are not functioning properly. Because many of these symptoms are also found in other medical conditions, Addison's disease is sometimes misdiagnosed or goes undetected until the symptoms become severe.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sushmita Sen was told to take a medicine every 8 hours for the rest of her life to survive. How she overcame health challenges and pill dependency
Sushmita Sen is no stranger to battling a health crisis. The 'Main Hoon Na' actress, who survived a massive heart attack in 2023, had been living with Addison's Disease, a rare autoimmune disorder , since 2014, and was told point-blank by her doctors that she had to take a steroid called hydrocortisone every eight hours to prolong her life. '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,' she told Rajeev Masand in 2019. However, the actress was determined not to rely on drugs to stay alive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It" The Skincare Magazine Undo Choosing a Different Path Despite the diagnosis, Sushmita wasn't willing to accept a future that relied solely on pharmaceuticals. As soon as she grasped the seriousness of her condition, she made a decisive call to her fitness trainer and asked to begin training in gymnastics—something completely out of the ordinary for someone in her condition. 'The doctor said not to do any anti-gravity movements. The first thing I did was call my trainer... I don't like who I am becoming in the attempt to survive.' she told Masand She expressed a strong desire to try anti-gravity workouts, a form of aerial fitness, and pushed herself to defy the limitations that doctors had placed on her. She admitted that while this approach may not be advisable for everyone, especially those battling chronic diseases, she believed that her body was trying to guide her in a different direction. She also adopted a comprehensive detox program, trying every medical protocol she could. Along with that, she reintroduced yoga, aerial exercises, and anti-gravity training into her life. These became her tools not just for survival, but for transformation. An Unbelievable Turnaround One day, her journey took a shocking turn. After she collapsed unexpectedly, Sushmita was rushed from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for emergency medical care. Following her treatment, she was released and began her journey back to Dubai. During that time, her doctor from Turkey reached out with astonishing news. He told her to stop taking the hydrocortisone. Her body had started naturally producing cortisol again. The doctor, astounded, mentioned that in his 35 years of experience, he had never seen someone with adrenal failure regain natural hormone function. He had triple-checked the test results and was still in disbelief. For Sushmita, that moment was overwhelming—like receiving a divine message she had long waited for. Her body, once written off as steroid-dependent, had fought back and healed itself in a way that stunned even the most seasoned experts. Understanding Addison's Disease: A Complete Breakdown Addison's disease is a rare yet serious medical condition that arises when the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate amounts of specific vital hormones. According to a report from Harvard Health Publishing , this disorder particularly affects the production of cortisol—a hormone that plays a central role in the body's response to stress—and aldosterone, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium and potassium. These minerals directly influence the volume of fluids in the body and help regulate blood pressure. Addison's disease falls under the category of adrenal insufficiency, where the glands don't function to their full capacity. What Causes Addison's Disease? The primary cause of Addison's disease is damage to the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular organs situated above each kidney. These glands are essential for the release of various hormones that control metabolism, manage blood pressure, and support immune system performance. In the majority of cases—up to 90 percent—this damage results from an autoimmune reaction. This means that the body's immune system, which is designed to defend against harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands instead. Over time, this misguided attack impairs the glands' ability to produce hormones, leading to the development of Addison's disease. Common Warning Signs People with Addison's disease typically experience a broad range of physical symptoms, many of which are related to hormonal imbalances in the body. These symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen over time if not treated. They include: Persistent nausea accompanied by vomiting Pain or discomfort in the abdominal region Frequent episodes of diarrhea A noticeable reduction in hunger or interest in food Unexplained weight loss Aching in muscles and joints Involuntary muscle cramps or twitching Ongoing feelings of muscle fatigue or weakness These signs are the body's way of signaling that the adrenal glands are not functioning properly. Because many of these symptoms are also found in other medical conditions, Addison's disease is sometimes misdiagnosed or goes undetected until the symptoms become severe.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are you eligible for free prescriptions? Yes, if you have 1 of these 11 conditions
Many NHS services are free at the point of service but there is usually a charge in England for prescriptions - with some exceptions. Health is a devolved matter in the UK so people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already receive free prescriptions. While English patients have to pay for some prescriptions, there are some circumstances where they can get them for free too. Whether it's due to their age, financial circumstances or medical conditions, some patients can claim free prescriptions. People living in England are eligible for free prescriptions if they are aged 60 or over, are under 16 or 16 to 18 and are in full-time education. You are also entitled if you are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate. Medical Exemption certificates are also given out via an application form by a doctor for specific cases. The National Health Service has said that you are entitled to a Medical Exemption certificate if you have: a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison's Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone hypoparathyroidism myasthenia gravis myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement) epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person cancer and are undergoing treatment for either: cancer, the effects of cancer or the effects of cancer treatment The NHS has explained that these are the only conditions that entitle you to a medical exemption certificate. The health service added that if you're not sure about the name of your condition, you should speak to your doctor. Additionally, you could also be eligible if you hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability. If you are currently admitted to a hospital on a doctor's order or claim certain benefits or have a low income, you could also be eligible. Support for those on low income is available to help manage prescription costs. The NHS Low-Income scheme covers the likes of prescription costs, dental costs and eye care costs. Healthcare travel costs, wigs and fabric support are also included in the scheme. The NHS has explained that you can apply for the scheme if the value of your savings, investments or property is below £23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home. Everyone else needs to be under £16,000. Recommended reading: Has the bubonic plague returned to the UK? Health officials respond to fears 'Do not drink': Coca-Cola recalls drinks in the UK due to safety risks DWP may pay up to £737 a month for free if you have one these 87 conditions The health service continued by saying that the help you're entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependent young people. It depends on your savings for what your entitlement would be (full help is the HC2 certificate, meanwhile HC3 is for partial help). You can apply for either certification online or by post. If you need help or have questions about the LIS, call 0300 330 1343 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.
