Vikram Bhatt says he has ‘always suffered from depression’, has Axial spondyloarthritis
Vikram Bhatt has opened up about battling an autoimmune condition called Axial spondyloarthritis. “I have an autoimmune condition called Axial spondyloarthritis. It is a kind of arthritis where the bones begin to fuse. The result is a lot of pain,” Bhatt, 56, said.
He added, “Samantha Prabhu has a condition called Myositis, which is a very close one to what I suffer from,” the Raaz director added while mentioning that he also suffers from depression. “I have always suffered from depression. The reason I did not want to have Shweta (his wife) in my life is because I was like, ‘Why do you want to be with a depressed person?’ and she said that’s not your choice to make. You were not supposed to talk about mental health. I think one of the first people to talk about this was Deepika Padukone. I think it is very important for people to come out with their mental illnesses because it gives a lot of strength to youngsters, to people who are suffering from it and also keeping it quiet,” Bhatt told Pinkvilla while promoting his film Tumko Meri Kasam.
While lauding such efforts to create awareness, he highlighted the need for more such platforms, “When big idols like Deepika Padukone, Samantha, and others come out and talk about it, people are energised, in a way encouraged to talk about their problems. That would stop so many teenage suicides and anxiety. I think the greatest illness in today’s youth is anxiety.”
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Taking a cue, let’s understand all about Axial spondyloarthritis and how it differs from myositis.
Chronic pain marks the condition (Photo: Freepik)
Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. “This condition can cause stiffness and long-term back pain that can become unbearable,” said Dr Anup Khatri, senior consultant, orthopedics, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai.
He added that it generally happens when the immune system makenly attacks the healthy joints, resulting in inflammation.
“Genetics plays a crucial role in the occurrence of this condition. It is also more common in people with a family hory of arthritis. One can experience numerous symptoms associated with this condition. This can include symptoms like lower back pain, extreme stiffness (especially after you get up in the morning), fatigue, and reduced flexibility than before,” explained Dr Khatri.
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Over time, it can cause serious health issues like spinal fusion while making it difficult to move.
Treatment of Axial spondyloarthritis can vary from person to person, said Dr Khatri, adding that usually, the treatment options for this condition can include medications prescribed the doctor such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and certain lifestyle modifications for the betterment of your overall health.
Recovery can vary depending on how early the diagnosis was done and the severity of the condition.
Dr Khatri stressed that while there is “no complete cure” for this condition, continuous efforts can be made to control the symptoms experienced.
How is AxSpA different from myositis?Story continues below this ad
Dr Khatri said that myositis is a muscle inflammation that can cause weakness, unlike joint stiffness caused AxSpA. “Myositis is more likely to affect your muscles, making it difficult for you to perform day-to-day activities. On the other hand, AxSpA primarily affects the spine and joints, leading to chronic pain and stiffness,” said Dr Khatri.
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.
