The news of Dangal’s child actress Suhani Bhatnagar’s demise at 19 left the world shocked and baffled. While we are yet to adjust to the news of young individuals succumbing to cardiac arrests, the unfortunate loss of this young actress has brought to light yet another health concern that requires our attention. 
  
As per the details issued to the media, Suhani suffered from dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disease. When reading about the condition that led to this tragic incident, two terms were used quite often – autoimmune disease and inflammatory disease. We asked the concerned health experts what these terms mean, who all are at risk of such diseases, their health implications and the necessary treatments.  
  
What are autoimmune diseases?  
Dr Puneet Mashru, consultant-rheumatologist, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital elucidates, “Your immune system typically protects you from diseases and infections by creating specific cells to target foreign pathogens (organism that causes disease) when it detects their presence. Normally, your immune system can distinguish between foreign cells and your body`s cells. However, in the case of autoimmune diseases, this process goes awry. Your immune system mistakenly identifies parts of your body, such as your joints or skin, as foreign invaders. Consequently, it releases proteins called auto-antibodies, which attack and damage healthy cells instead of protecting them.”  
  
Expanding on the same, Dr Rohini Samant, consultant rheumatologist, P. D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mahim states, “This means that the body’s immune system which is meant to counter external elements like microorganisms /allergens has gone overboard and is attacking oneself. If untreated, this may lead to damage to vital organs like lungs, kidneys, heart or liver, eventually leading to death.”  

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What are inflammatory diseases? 
Dr Preeti Nagnur, consultant rheumatologist, Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road, comments, “Inflammatory diseases are a group of conditions characterised by the body`s immune response causing inflammation in various parts of the body. In cases of chronic inflammatory diseases, this response becomes dysregulated and can cause damage to healthy tissues. One key feature of inflammatory diseases is the presence of certain proteins called cytokines that play a significant role in regulating inflammation. Imbalance in these cytokines can lead to chronic inflammation and contribute to the development of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma.”  
  
How are autoimmune diseases different from inflammatory diseases?  
According to Nagnur autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases are often confused as they share common symptoms but differ from each other.