Popular television actress and Bigg Boss OTT 3 winner Sana Makbul has recently revealed a heartbreaking development about her health. Known for her vibrant personality, strength, and engaging performances on-screen, Sana has now stepped forward to share that she is currently battling liver cirrhosis, a serious and chronic liver condition. Her diagnosis comes after years of dealing with autoimmune hepatitis, an underlying autoimmune disorder where the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells, causing long-term inflammation and damage.
Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis
Sana’s health issues began taking a more serious turn in recent months. She shared that her autoimmune condition, which she had been managing since 2020, had begun to “flare up badly.” The situation worsened to a point where she had no choice but to take a break from her professional work commitments. This pause in her busy schedule, along with a hospital photo posted online by a friend, raised significant concern among her fans and the media. The official confirmation came shortly after—Sana had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, a condition in which long-term liver damage leads to scarring and loss of liver function.
Understanding Liver Cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is not a disease that appears overnight. It is the result of long-term, ongoing damage to the liver, often taking years to manifest severe symptoms. In Sana’s case, it is the autoimmune hepatitis that led to the progression. Liver cirrhosis can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Common symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, swelling in the legs, loss of appetite, and emotional distress. These symptoms can gradually worsen as the liver loses its ability to function properly. It is a condition that not only affects physical health but can also take a major toll on mental well-being.
The Journey with Autoimmune Hepatitis
Before reaching this critical stage, Sana had been silently battling autoimmune hepatitis for several years. This chronic illness occurs when the immune system turns against the liver, mistaking it for a harmful invader. The resulting inflammation gradually damages liver tissue. Many who suffer from autoimmune hepatitis, like Sana, do not exhibit severe symptoms early on, making the condition difficult to diagnose in its initial stages. It’s often managed through medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants that help reduce immune system activity. Sana’s case unfortunately progressed into cirrhosis, even with early medical intervention.
Beginning Immunotherapy and Treatment Goals
After receiving her liver cirrhosis diagnosis, Sana immediately began an intensive treatment plan involving immunotherapy. The primary objective of this therapy is to reduce the aggressive immune response attacking her liver. Immunotherapy helps in calming inflammation and potentially preventing further scarring. Sana’s treatment is being carefully monitored by specialists. Her main goal now is to stabilize her liver function and, if possible, avoid undergoing a liver transplant. She admitted that while the journey is difficult, she is determined not to give up. Each day is a new challenge, and while some days are emotionally and physically draining, others bring small victories.
Impact on Career and Emotional Health
The diagnosis and ongoing treatment have had a profound effect on Sana’s life and career. She has temporarily stepped away from her acting and media appearances to focus solely on her recovery. For someone so active in the entertainment industry, this shift is not easy. Sana also opened up about the emotional burden that comes with a chronic illness. She describes some days as overwhelmingly difficult, leading to tears and frustration. Yet on other days, she finds reasons to smile and stay hopeful. Her words, “It didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t be over overnight either,” reflect her deep resilience and understanding of her health battle.
Support System and Family Strength
In this challenging period, Sana has leaned heavily on her family’s support, especially her parents. She openly expressed her gratitude for their presence, saying that their silent strength keeps her grounded. They’ve been by her side through every hospital visit, treatment session, and emotional breakdown. This kind of unwavering support system is often a key factor in how patients cope with serious illnesses. Sana is not alone in this fight, and she acknowledges how much that matters.
Raising Awareness about Liver Health
By going public with her diagnosis, Sana Makbul is also helping to raise awareness about liver health and the seriousness of autoimmune diseases. Many people are unaware that autoimmune hepatitis can affect young and otherwise healthy individuals. Her story highlights the importance of regular health checkups and paying attention to early warning signs, no matter how minor they may seem. Through her transparency, she is encouraging her fans and the broader public to prioritize their health and seek timely medical advice.
What is Autoimmune Hepatitis?
Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition where the body’s immune system becomes misdirected and begins attacking the liver. The exact cause is still unknown, but it may be linked to genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms vary from mild fatigue to more severe signs like jaundice and abdominal discomfort. If left untreated, this condition can silently cause inflammation that eventually leads to liver scarring or cirrhosis. It is a condition that requires lifelong management, and in some severe cases, liver transplantation becomes necessary. Sana’s case underscores how important early diagnosis and sustained treatment are in preventing such an outcome.
Hope Through Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy has given Sana a fighting chance to regain control over her health. This treatment targets the immune system to reduce its attack on the liver. While it doesn’t offer an instant cure, it can significantly slow down disease progression and even improve liver function over time. However, immunotherapy can be intense. Patients often experience fatigue, mood swings, and side effects from medication. But for Sana, the hope that she might avoid a liver transplant and rebuild her strength outweighs the challenges. Her commitment to undergoing this treatment reflects her will to overcome the illness.
Avoiding a Liver Transplant
One of the most daunting aspects of Sana’s journey is the looming possibility of needing a liver transplant. While liver transplants are life-saving for many, they come with their own set of complications—such as surgical risks, post-operative infections, and the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs. Furthermore, organ availability can be an issue. Sana has expressed that she is doing everything within her power to heal naturally and avoid this invasive step. She’s not ready to give up and is focusing her energy on getting better through the current treatment path.
Message to Her Fans and the Public
Sana’s story is not just one of illness, but one of inspiration and hope. By sharing her truth, she has reminded the world that celebrities too face deeply personal struggles. She urges her fans to continue supporting her with love, prayers, and positivity. She also encourages everyone to be aware of their bodies and never delay medical consultations. Her transparency has touched thousands, and many have expressed their support on social media. She reads these messages of encouragement and draws strength from them during her toughest days.
Sana Makbul’s battle with liver cirrhosis, though painful, is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and medical science. Her journey from silently coping with autoimmune hepatitis to publicly fighting liver cirrhosis shows incredible courage. While her professional life is on pause, her personal story is influencing thousands to take better care of their health. Sana reminds us all that healing is a journey, not a destination. With each day, she is moving forward—slowly, perhaps—but surely. As she rightly says, “I may be walking slower, but I’m still moving.”
Her story is a powerful message of strength and a rallying call for more awareness around liver diseases and autoimmune disorders. Through it all, Sana remains a fighter—an inspiration to her fans and a beacon of hope to many facing similar challenges.
