The 48-year old Indian-origin professional wrestler Dalip Singh, popularly known by his ring name as 'The Great Khali' suffers from a rare medical condition, acromegaly. The disease occurs in a person, whose body produces too much growth hormone (GH), through the pituitary gland.
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star's this problem affected his hormones and led to the growth of a tumor, which led to many complications in his body. The 7-foot 1-inch tall wrestler weighing around 160kgs, who won the World Heavyweight Championship belt in 2007, one year after his debut, is popular for his humongous size, both by height and amazingly built body. However, only a few people know that his size is a result of the disease he has been suffering for a long time.
The disease was a result of a benign tumor (adenoma), which developed on Khali's pituitary gland. The tumor caused an excessive secretion of the growth hormone, leading to the rare condition, acromegaly. This condition causes gigantism if the tumor is developed in the body even before puberty. The tumor can lead to further complications if it isn't treated, as it may cause life-threatening illnesses.
He is not the first wrestler though, to be suffering from the disease as in 1993, Andre - The Giant, who stood at 7-feet and five-inch and weighed around 230 kgs, died of congestive heart failure, which was a result of acromegaly.
Even after the removal of the tumor in 2012, the former WWE champion is at great risk of other diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, loss of vision. The disease has led his upper body to grow like anything, while his legs remained skinny, which is the reason he walks a little slow and stiff.
As the name suggests, the growth hormone, in excess can lead to abnormal growth of body parts like hands, arms, feet, legs and head. The enlargement of bones in the jaw and in front of the legs, are the most evident alterations as far as acromegaly is concerned. The disease may also cause the thickening of soft tissues of the body including the tongue, the lips and even the heart.
