South Superstar Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s war against the autoimmune disorder Myositis is an inspiration for those afflicted with the disease in India and the world over, says OSWALD PEREIRA
Autoimmune disorders are on the rise the world over, thanks to modern stressful living and toxicity in the environment. India, which is growing exponentially, finds itself trapped in this disorder, for which there is no permanent cure. Once you get it, you are battered with it for the rest of your life.
I have seen friends and relatives battle with autoimmune disorders, but seeming helpless against its onslaught. At least one of them succumbed to the disorder, eventually losing her life to the ruthless monster. A very vivacious person, so happy and cheerful, it was sad to see her go.
MedlinePlus, an online health information resource, says there are more than 80 autoimmune disorders, which occur when the “body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake.”
MedlinePlus explains: “The blood cells in the body’s immune system help protect against harmful substances. Examples include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and blood and tissue from outside the body. These substances contain antigens. The immune system produces antibodies against these antigens that enable it to destroy these harmful substances. When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system does not distinguish between healthy tissue and potentially harmful antigens. As a result, your body sets off a reaction that destroys normal tissues.”
Why are autoimmune diseases on the rise?
Dr Andrew Wang, associate professor of internal medicine (rheumatology, allergy and immunology) at Yale School of Medicine, attributes the rise in autoimmune diseases to what he terms as the “hygiene hypothesis.” This, very interestingly means, the cleaner the environment, the more likelihood of an autoimmune attack.
Explains Dr Wang: “People noticed that issues with our immune systems started increasing when we improved sanitation. The thought is that because the immune system doesn’t have much to do in this cleaner environment, it finds inappropriate work in the absence of having to deal with dirt and germs. Some studies show that people who grow up on farms or live in rural areas are less likely to have allergies or autoimmune diseases than people who live in urban areas.”
“We’re cleaner, but we’ve also added a lot of chemicals and pollution into the environment since the 1950s,” observes Dr Wang. He adds: “We’re also staying awake longer than we used to and worrying more. Some of the previous work out of my lab focused on the effects of psychological stress on immune function. A lot of this was inspired by what patients tell us. For example, they have a stressful life experience—a car accident, bankruptcy, or death in the family—and then their disease flares. My lab’s research has validated our patients’ experiences by showing that stress can activate the immune system.”
To quote MedlinePlus, “The exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system. This may happen more often in people who have genes that make them more prone to autoimmune disorders.”
Though not much on the disease is clear, other medical experts do believe that genetic factors may be responsible for autoimmune disorders.
An autoimmune disorder may result in the destruction of body tissue, abnormal growth of an organ, and changes in organ function. More than one organ or body tissue may be affected. Areas often affected include blood vessels, connective tissues, endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas, joints, muscles, red blood cells and skin.
Unfortunately, a person may have more than one disorder at the same time, according to MedlinePlus.
Common autoimmune disorders include Addison disease, Celiac disease, Dermatomyositis, Graves disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, Pernicious anaemia, Reactive arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and Type I diabetes.
Symptoms of autoimmune disorders include fatigue, fever, general ill feeling (malaise), joint pain and rash. Various tests are recommended to diagnose an autoimmune disorder, including antinuclear antibody tests, autoantibody tests, complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, among others.
Treatments, depending on the disease and symptoms are meant to control the autoimmune process, maintain the body’s ability to fight the disease and to reduce symptoms.
Treatments include supplements to replace substances that the body lacks. It could be common hormones or vitamins such as thyroid hormone, vitamin B12, or insulin.
Physical therapy is recommended to help with movement if the bones, joints, or muscles are affected. Doctors recommend medicines to reduce the immune system’s abnormal response such as immunosuppressive medicines. Examples include corticosteroids, and nonsteroid drugs such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate, sirolimus, or tacrolimus.
However, medicines used to suppress the immune system can cause severe side effects, such as higher risk for infections. Many autoimmune diseases become chronic, but some can be controlled with treatment.
The medical fraternity has stepped up efforts to control symptoms of autoimmune disorders, but rarely do they recommend non-traditional, free methods of treatment.
Yoga and meditation helps in keeping the mind calm and peaceful, and has helped many a patient cope with the disturbing symptoms of autoimmune diseases. As a patient reaches a high spiritual level in meditation and establishes contact with Divinity, the succour of a kind and caring God surpasses the palliative effects of immunosuppressive medicines.
South India’s highest paid actress, superstar Samantha Ruth Prabhu was diagnosed with chronic Dermatomyositis at the peak of her career. At the height of her symptoms, she would meditate for two hours at a stretch to cope with the symptoms and has now emerged, stronger than ever.
She had to take a break from acting for nearly 10 months, as the symptoms flared up, but she never gave up her battle against the dastardly disease, turning to God for support.
Myositis struck Samantha in the midst of two big projects — the 2023 Telugu-language romantic comedy film Kushi and the 2024 Hind-language spy action television series Citadel: Honey Bunny.
The brave superstar did her daring action stunts even while she was suffering from Myositis. She passed out on two occasions during the shooting of Citadel: Honey Bunny. Her co-star Varun Dhawan on one occasion held her when she passed out. They were shooting at a height. Samantha didn’t pack up for the day and continued shooting, though she suffered a concussion and for a while didn’t recognise Varun, her director and the crew around her.
When Samantha prays to God, she never asks, “Why me?”
She knows that self-pity will not help her win the war against Myositis.
She says, “there are many people like me, fighting diseases.”
“In the end, we will all win,” she adds conclusively.
So, that’s it! More than medication, it is the trust in oneself, in God and a disciplined lifestyle, which are the real warriors against disease. Discipline, includes regular exercise and a strict anti-inflammatory diet that Samantha follows. In hospital, she was seen exercising with weights in one hand, even as the needle of a drip was visible on the other hand.
Samantha’s fight against Myositis, is, indeed, an inspiration for those afflicted with the disease in India and the world over.
Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written ten books, including Beyond Autobiography of a Yogi, The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.
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Superstar Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s War Against Autoimmune Disorder Myositis
