World Liver Day 2024: Uncovering the key culprits behind rising case of NON-ALCAHOLIC Fatty Liver Disease.....
World Liver Day, observed annually on April 19th, raises
awareness about liver health and the importance of
prevention and early detection of liver diseases. It aims to
educate the public about risk factors, promote healthy
lifestyles, and advocate for better access to liver care and
treatment worldwide. Read the article to know more.
Cases like this are quite common nowadays. Majority of
cases, people do not have any symptom unless serious
complications like NASH or Cirrhosis develop. As per data
from the American Liver foundation, about 100 million
people in USA are having Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
Disease. According to various studies published in Indian
Journal of Community Medicine, 9% to 32% of the Indian
population are having Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
and prevalence is similar in urban and rural populations.
This is causing a significant burden on our already
overstretched health system.
If we look closer into the causes behind Non-Alcoholic
fatty liver disease, the reason for this rise in cases
becomes clear.
These Are The Reasons:
1. Obesity is one of the most common reasons behind
NAFLD. With obesity becoming a global pandemic, the
number of fatty liver cases is also on the rise
.2. Weight
gained during school years carries more risk of NAFLD
than weight-gain in late adulthood. As per a study
conducted in Chennai last year, obese people have 23.09
times higher risk of developing NAFLD. As per data of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and kidney
Disease (USA), up to 75% of overweight people.
3. High Triglyceride and high cholesterol – with obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, and intake of
junk food, cases of Non-alcoholic Fatty liver are also rising.
4. High blood pressure – high levels of stress, urban lifestyle, smoking etc are not only
resulting in high blood pressure and cardiac disease but also contributing to the already
increasing number of Fatty liver diseases.
Together these 4 conditions are called
Metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X and it is the most common cause of fatty liver.
Because of this, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has been re-named Metabolic
dysfunction-associated steatotic (fatty) Liver Disease or MASLD.
Apart from Syndrome X, causes like sudden weight loss, and prolonged malnutrition,
certain drugs and environmental toxins like yellow phosphorus and petrochemicals can
also cause Fatty liver disease.
Children also carry a significant risk of developing NAFLD because of increased
prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance. However, the risk is more as they grow.
There is no medicine available to reverse fatty change in the liver. But various medicines
are available to control the causes of fatty liver. Medicines to control blood pressure,
blood sugar, and cholesterol should be taken as per the doctor’s advice. Lifestyle
changes, healthy habits, quitting smoking, and most importantly body weight reduction
still remain the mainstay of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver disease management.
There is always the risk of developing more serious liver problems like NASH, Cirrhosis,
and liver cancer if fatty liver progression is not managed properly. With an increasing
number of people with syndrome X developing NAFLD, a conscious effort to form healthy
habits will go a long way in preventing serious liver damage. Till now, awareness about
this condition is not significant, especially in India. Awareness of NAFLD must be
promoted for prevention, early detection, and treatment.
PUBLISHED BY
Hina Waqas
Comments
Post a Comment