Bhubaneswar: After string of unsuccessfull movies, bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor, who recently donned the villain Danger Lanka in Singham Again, has tasted super success. He, however, has recently opened up about his struggles with Hashimoto’s disease and ‘mild depression’. The Boney Kapoor lad revealed how his body reacts to stress, even gaining weight during flights, as it goes into distress mode.

In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Arjun revealed his struggle with Hashimoto's disease. He shared how the disease causes his body to react unpredictably, even gaining weight after a flight due to the stress it places on his system.

He said, "Its almost like I can take a flight and gain weight because the body goes in distress. That happened to be when I was 30 and I defied it." The Singham Again actor revealed that it runs in their family. He mentioned that his 'mom used to have it' and sister, Anshula Kapoor, also have the condition.

WHAT IS HASHIMOTO DISEASE?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many functions in the body.

As per Mayoclinic, autoimmune disorder is an illness caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues. In Hashimoto's disease, immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid's hormone-producing cells. The disease usually results in a decline in hormone production (hypothyroidism).

Though the disease is most common among middle-aged women, men are not immune from the disease. 

The primary treatment is thyroid hormone replacement.

SYMPTOMS

Hashimoto's disease progresses slowly over the years. You may not notice signs or symptoms of the disease. However, decline in thyroid hormone production can result in any of the following conditions like:

• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Increased sleepiness
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding
• Depression
• Problems with memory or concentration
• Swelling of the thyroid (goiter)
• A puffy face
• Brittle nails
• Hair loss
• Enlargement of the tongue

CAUSES: The onset of disease may be related to:

• Genetic factors
• Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress or radiation exposure
• Interactions between environmental and genetic factors

RISK FACTORS

• Sex. Women are much more likely to get Hashimoto's disease.
• Age. Hashimoto's disease can occur at any age but more commonly occurs during middle age.
• Other autoimmune disease. Having another autoimmune disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus — increases your risk of developing Hashimoto's disease.
• Genetics and family history. You're at higher risk for Hashimoto's disease if others in your family have thyroid disorders or other autoimmune diseases.
• Pregnancy. Typical changes in immune function during pregnancy may be a factor in Hashimoto's disease that begins after pregnancy.
• Excessive iodine intake. Too much iodine in the diet may function as a trigger among people already at risk for Hashimoto's disease.
• Radiation exposure. People exposed to excessive levels of environmental radiation are more prone to Hashimoto's disease.