Arjun Kapoor has had a very volatile career, with a banging debut like Ishaqzaade to then a string of films that just revealed a lack of range as an actor that led to the audience losing faith in him.
Then he was in the news for his relationship with Malaika Arora, and it certainly acted as fertile fodder for the meme.
However, in all that, his changing physical appearance has also been something talked about, with some people making unwanted comments about his weight and especially how quickly he gained it, thinking it made him less hero material.
Barring all the topics this raises on beauty standards, even applied to male celebrities in today’s time, where the leading actors are expected to maintain a certain ‘physique’ to make the cut, the truth of his physical appearance is actually because of a disease.
In a recent interview, Indian actor Arjun Kapoor revealed that he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis a few years back and this, could be one of the reasons for his weight gain.
What Did Arjun Kapoor Say?
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Arjun Kapoor said, “I have something called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It’s an extension of having a thyroid issue. Your antibodies fight against you.
It’s almost like I can take a flight and gain weight because the body goes into stress. The stress mode is when your antibodies believe something is wrong, and it goes into action. The more relaxed I am, the better I look — which is ironic because, in this profession, you’re not really relaxed.”
He explained that Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an extension of the thyroid issue and can result in one’s immune system attacking the thyroid gland mistakenly. This can lead to chronic inflammation and potential damage.
The 39-year-old actor talked about how he was diagnosed with the disease when he was 30 and experienced several issues while shooting back-to-back films in 2014-15.
He also explained how the pressures of being a ‘hero’ in Bollywood took a toll on him saying, “You will have moments of self-doubt in any profession. You fight through it. You look for validation. I am a fat kid at heart. I was diagnosed with mild depression, which was circumstantial.”
Read More: How Our Emotions Affect Our Health-Emotions And Diseases Are Linked!
What Is This Disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is named after a Japanese doctor Hakaru Hashimoto who first discovered the disease in 1912.
According to reports, thyroid disease can be of two types, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Hashimoto’s disease is a kind of underactive thyroid that is usually seen in middle-aged women, although it’s not specific to them and can affect men and children too.
The disease, a leading cause of an underactive thyroid, occurs when the immune system mistakenly starts to attack the thyroid gland. This butterfly-shaped gland is placed at the base of one’s neck and regulates energy, metabolism, and other important bodily functions.
The attacks make the gland underactive, which results in the gland not producing enough levels of vital hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
The symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
- Fatigue,
- Muscle weakness,
- Goiter which can cause neck swelling due to an enlarged thyroid,
- Depression,
- Weight gain and more
Dr Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, explained the disease as, “It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and often presents with a gradual onset of symptoms.
In Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the immune system produces antibodies that target and damage thyroid cells. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment can help individuals maintain a good quality of life despite the challenges posed by this disorder. Regular followups with healthcare providers are essential for effective management.”
Thyroid disease is considered to be one of the most common health conditions in the world with 40 million people affected by it in India itself. Hashimoto’s disease is also very common with reports claiming that around 11% of the population has been diagnosed with it.
The exact cause of the disease hasn’t been proven yet, however, genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and hormonal imbalances can trigger it. Reports also claim that this disease might be common in countries with iodized salt and other iodine-enriched foods.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Firstpost, The Guardian, Washington Times
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Arjun Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor health, Arjun Kapoor weight, Arjun Kapoor disease, Arjun Kapoor Hashimoto’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, autoimmune, autoimmune disease, arjun kapoor autoimmune, health
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