Liver Diseases grown worldwide in an epidemic:Dr. Mallhi

Jul 27, 2018, 2:35 PM
“Safe blood, Safe needle and Safe sex” is the mantra

Ludhiana: 27th July 2018: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

On the occasion of world hepatitis day Dr. Nirmaljit Singh Mallhi, Gastroentirologis of SPS Hospital said that World Hepatitis Day is celebrated globally on 28th July every year to raise awareness among people about different forms of liver diseases.  Because Liver Diseases have grown worldwide in an epidemic proportion, affecting all age groups. The liver is an integral part of our immune system and plays a vital role in digesting food, storing energy and helping to remove toxic substances from body. 

In a awareness talk at hospital premises Dr. Mallhi said that Rapid changes in the lifestyle have increased the risk of liver diseases many fold like eating of fatty foods, lack of physical activity, smoking, drug abuse and high alcohol consumption. Some of the liver diseases are Chronic hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), liver abscess, liver tumors, acute viral Hepatitis (A,B,C,D,E) etc. Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis in Punjab and undoubtedly over the past few years, medical science has achieved tremendous advancement for the treatment of Hepatitis C. Now, the treatment of Hepatitis C is affordable, short and effective in curing the disease in more than 95% cases. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection can cause serious health problems including liver damage, liver cancer and liver failure which may necessitate a liver transplant or result in untimely death. An estimated 57% of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78% of cases of primary liver cancer result from HBV or HCV infection, if left untreated. Unfortunately, the vaccination of Hepatitis C is not available, but there is availability of safe & effective vaccination for Hepatitis B. “Safe blood, Safe needle and Safe sex” is the mantra to prevent HBV & HCV.                        
Besides Viral Hepatitis, NAFLD, commonly referred as Fatty Liver, is becoming increasingly more prevalent in today’s generation. NAFLD is deposition of extra fat in liver cells that is not actually caused by use of alcohol. Tendency of developing NAFLD in people who are overweight or obese, or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides, polycystic ovary Disease (PCOD) etc. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD. The more severe form of NAFLD is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH causes the liver cells to swell and may lead to liver scarring (Cirrhosis). Risk factors for developing NASH are obesity (overweight), diabetes, high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides levels. However, some people have NASH even if they do not have any risk factors. NAFLD often has no symptoms and people can have NAFLD for years before symptoms appear. Now, NAFLD is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis in adults globally. Appropriate low-fat diet, weight loss, diabetes control, cholesterol/triglyceride control are important both for treatment and to prevent progression of the disease from mild fatty liver to more severe form of NASH. 

Increasing rate of alcohol consumption causes liver damage and is referred to as Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). ALD usually doesn't cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. There are three main types of ALD - A) Fatty liver is the most common and earliest alcohol related liver disorder. Usually there are no symptoms, although the liver can be enlarged and may have upper abdominal discomfort. Patient can be cured if he/ she stops drinking. B) Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation or swelling of the liver that leads to destruction of liver cells. Symptoms may include fever, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and tenderness. Alcoholic hepatitis can last for months to years and will cause progressive liver damage if patient does not abstain from alcohol. C) Cirrhosis is a condition in which liver is scarred and is extensively damaged, which invariably is irreversible. Between 10 to 35 % patients of alcoholic liver disease develop cirrhosis, usually after 5-10 years of regular drinking. Symptoms of cirrhosis as well as alcoholic hepatitis includes accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), yellowish discoloration of eyes (jaundice), blood in vomitus, behavioral changes and confusion etc. Till date there is no specific drug treatment that can cure cirrhosis but treating the underlying cause of cirrhosis may keep cirrhosis from getting worse and may help to prevent liver failure.

Drugs are also becoming a major concern now-a-days as a cause for liver injury. Drugs like heroin, opiates, weight & muscle gain supplements, Ayurveda & herbal medicines etc., have such chemicals which cause direct damage to the liver. In most cases, there might not be any symptoms, which can allow damage to go unnoticed and leads to liver failure as the first manifestation. 

There are many different things that one must keep in mind to prevent liver damage like-

1) Maintaining a normal weight.

2) Eating a balanced diet.

3) Regular exercise (at least 30mins. Aerobics 5 times a week) 

4) Avoid drinking alcohol 

5) Avoid the use of illicit drugs.

6) Avoid contaminated needles and get medical care if exposed to contaminated blood.

7) Get vaccinated for Hep A and Hep B

8) Not sharing personal hygiene items like razors, toothbrushes and nail clippers etc.

9) Washing your hands frequently and before consuming meals.

10) Not taking more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen or other non-prescription medications.

11) Following doctor’s prescribing instructions carefully.

12) Informing your physician of the drugs and supplements that you   

   are currently taking.