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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.
