At least one out of four people have fatty liver disease (FLD) or hepatic steatosis, a condition when too much fat is deposited on the liver. But most are unaware of it.
In India, a significant percentage ie 35 per cent of population in India suffers from FLD and number is on increase, one of the main reasons for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, according to doctors.
Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, Head, Department of Hepatology & Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in Delhi explained, “When lipids accumulate in liver, it limits its insulin capability, and to compensate, the pancreas organ produces insulin, which is insufficient to cope with regular biological processes. As a result, the body undergoes insulin resistance, and a person develops pre-diabetic symptoms. “Those fats start to go into bloodstream and get deposited in arteries directing to risks of heart stroke or heart attack.
Ample evidence suggests that elevated Gamma-GT enzyme activity is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease,” he said at a webinar on “Managing Liver Care,” organised by ASSOCHAM, as a part of its “Illness to Wellness campaign.”
Dr Rajesh Kesari, Founder, and Director Total Care Control, Delhi–NCR, added “Liver is termed as the chemical factory of our body hence our liver must bear brunt of our modern-day lifestyle. The role of liver in maintaining health was known for ages- but has once again caught attention as liver is unable to handle excess fat which is there in our diet and is becoming reason for many diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, Atherosclerosis, etc.
“Human liver is one of most important organs in our body performing more than 500 vital functions like detoxification of drugs, resisting infections by making immune factors, converting poisonous ammonia to urea, processing haemoglobin,” said Dr Sakshi Karkra, Head–Pediatric, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram.
Liver disease can be genetic (inherited) or acquired.
The symptoms range from fatigue, irritability, headaches, difficulty concentrating, vomiting, anxiety, and in advanced stages yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, swelling of lower abdomen, and dark urine. “The liver can repair itself up to a certain point so damage can be reduced if liver disease is detected at an early stage,” she said Dr Bhavin Bhupendra Vasavada, Surgical Gastroenterologist, Hepato Biliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon, Shalby Multi-Specialty Hospitals, said “Due to some of great regeneration capacity of liver, symptoms are not seen unless damage is severe and generally when alarming symptoms are seen, liver transplant remains only curative treatment.
“Hence, liver disease treatment should include screening, early identification, and prevention. If hepatitis is identified early, there are numerous effective oral therapies available, and a transplant can be avoided.
“The major preventive approaches are an emphasis on reducing alcohol addiction, a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and obesity prevention.”