Mumbai-Thane- April 19 is celebrated as World Liver Day. There is still a lack of awareness about liver disease, which keeps many diseases at bay.  In the Corona epidemic, many civilians were trapped in their homes due to lockdowns.  Lack of a balanced diet and lack of exercise have led to an increase in liver disease. 

Giving more information about this, Dr. Vinay Pawar – Gastroenterologist and liver specialist from Platinum Hospital in Mulund, says, “The liver is the largest organ in our body. The liver plays an important role in all metabolic activities and that is why the liver is called the body’s chemical factory and has more than 500 functions.  The liver is also a major component of the body’s immune system. Fatty liver condition occurs when fat builds up in the liver that can cause liver inflammation, and damage your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, the scarring can lead to liver failure. Among people who drink a lot of alcohol, the condition is known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), while among those who don’t drink a lot, it’s metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), earlier known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is strongly associated with obesity. Excess fat causes insulin resistance and inflammatory signals. Insulin resistance means that the pancreas has to produce more insulin in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels, and is the first step towards developing diabetes. MAFLD is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Lifestyle changes involving obesity, sedentary lifestyle, food rich in sugar, calories and fat, and alcohol are the main reasons behind the poor liver health.”

Hepatitis is still a major concern in India. Jaundice is the third leading cause of death.  Give More Information about Liver Diseases Dr. Kunal Adhyaru Hepatologist from Terna Specialty Hospital and Research Center says, “Jaundice occurs when the liver is damaged but there are many misconceptions in India about jaundice. For example, misconceptions about tying the cotton knot on hand and getting rid of jaundice have nothing to do with the disease. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E are the most common types of hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis A and E enter through contaminated food and water in our gut before infecting the liver. Hepatitis B and C viruses more through contaminated blood products, and perinatally. Eyes and urine become yellow first followed by generalized skin. Hepatitis B & C viruses can progress to chronic liver disease including cirrhosis, so timely treatment from hepatologist needed also complementary and alternative medicines are known to cause drug-induced hepatitis.”

According to the World Health Organization, 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with jaundice so far. Every 15th person in the world is infected with this virus. Worldwide, 7 million people die each year from the serious side effects of the disease.  Fatty liver is another silent disease affecting large proportions of patients with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome and it should not be ignored.and it  should be treated by Hepatologist, so that it does not progress to cirrhosisadded by Dr. Kunal Adhyaru Hepatologist from Terna Specialty Hospital and Research Center.