NAFLD one of most common liver diseases: Docs

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 10

Every year, June 10 is observed as International Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Day (NASH). The theme for this year is ‘NASH around the world’.

“NASH is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in which the fat in the liver causes inflammation called hepatitis and damage liver cells. This later on leads to fibrosis or scar and cirrhosis. NAFLD is one of the most common liver diseases and is seen in all races and ethnicities. Its incidence and prevalence are increasing with an increase in obesity and diabetes in the world population,” said Dr Harmeet Singh Saluja, chief gastroenterologist at Deep Hospital.

During an awareness session at the Advanced Gastroenterology Institute, Dr Nirmaljeet Singh Malhi shared the latest insights on how to prevent, diagnose and manage fatty liver disease.

Dr Rajiv Grover talked about how worldwide community participation was essential to reduce the global prevalence of fatty liver disease, which could advance dangerously if left undetected and unacknowledged.

Dr Jasmeet Singh Dhingra counselled caregivers about how to support patients diagnosed with NASH. He highlighted the public benefit of preventive liver health packages that could be availed for early screening of fatty liver disease.

Mandi Ahmedgarh: Identifying NASH as a cause of worry for medical fraternity and patients, office-bearers and activists of social and medical organisations today launched a coordinated programme to spread awareness the about causes and consequences of this liver disorder.

An oath was taken during the concluding session of a function held at the Hind Institute of Paramedical Studies, Bhai Bir Singh Nagar, on occasion of International NASH Day.

The president of the Social Welfare Organisation, Dr Sunit Hind, was the keynote speaker on the occasion.

Speakers said the NASH was a severe form of fatty liver which occurred in nearly 20 per cent patients already detected with NAFLD.

People who do not consume alcohol or consume insignificant quantity could also become a victim of the disease, Dr Sunit Hind said.

“NAFLD is a lifestyle disease which is taking the shape of an epidemic affecting approximately one-fourth of the general population, with higher prevalence in those with risk factors including obesity, sugar, high blood pressure and abnormal blood lipids,” said Dr Sunit Hind.

He cautioned participants against living a sedentary life, which normally leads to obesity with excess of fat accumulation in the body. He said: “The excess fat in the body gets re-distributed to other organs, with liver being the most favoured site, leading to a fatty liver.”

Symptoms of NAFLD/NASH

• Both diseases are considered to be silent diseases, with minimal or no symptoms at all
• Most common symptoms are general fatigue or tiredness
• In advanced disease, if patient develops cirrhosis, he may have swelling of the feet or the abdomen and yellowness of eyes.

Risk factors for developing NAFLD

• Overweight or obesity
• Type II diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High triglycerides
• Genetic factors