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.

SPS Hospital will organise “DIL KI DAUD”

Fri, Sep 15, 2017 at 1:57 PM

Registrations starts on 3 places

Ludhiana:September 15^th 2017: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::
Satguru Partap Singh Hospitals Ludhiana will organised a Mini Marathon under the name of DIL KI DAUD on september 30. It will be starts from Guru Nanak Dev Stadium. We are announcing the opening of registrations for the 4^th Edition of SPS 10K Run from Today. The 10K run and 5K run event would be held at 06:00 AM from Guru Nanak Dev Stadium on 30^th September 2017.

The registration forms are available at:

• www.sps10k.com
• SPS Hospital Ludhiana–Sherpur Chowk, GT Road Ludhiana.
• SPS Dialysis Centre–Model Town, Ludhiana.
• Pavilion Mall–Near Fountain Chowk Ludhiana

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jugdiep Singh, MD – SPS Hospitals Ludhiana said, SPS 10K Run which is now in its’ 4^th edition is a renowned event promoting healthy lifestyle amongst the citizens of Ludhiana and Punjab. This event is conducted regularly every year near the World Heart Day to spread awareness on the idiom of “Prevention is better than Cure”.

Mr. Jai Singh, Director–SPS Hospitals Ludhiana added that this time the event is going to be a timed event and would also be broadened to include 400m, 800m, javelin and shot-put throw, so as to give more opportunities to the budding athletes of the city and the state.

Dr. Ajay Angirish, COO – SPS Hospitals Ludhiana, further added that such events are better executed when society and organizations join hands, and seeing the overwhelming support from last 3 years, we are encouraged to conduct such health awareness events every year. Mr. Tejdeep Singh Randhawa, Senior Marketing Manager and Mr. Gurdarshan Singh Maangat, Marketing Manager were also present.

Every 1 out of 12 people across the world affected by hepatitis

Wed, Jul 27, 2016 at 4:32 PM
Hepatitis C is still commonest cause of liver damage

Ludhiana: July 28th 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

The Department of Gastroenterology at SPS Hospitals organized a week long free screening camp on the occasion of “World Hepatitis Day”. More than 600 people were screened during this activity.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr.Nirmaljeet Singh Malhi, Senior Consultant & Head, Department of Gastroenterology said, “The theme for the World Hepatitis Day 2016 is “Know Hepatitis - Act now”. With every 1 out of 12 people across the world affected by hepatitis, it should not be ignored. Hepatitis C is the major concern for us.  Hepatitis C remains asymptomatic in initial stages in majority of the patients. Moreover untreated chronic hepatitis C increases the risk of liver damage and liver cancer. India though has a low to moderate prevalence of HCV infection but accounts for a significant share of HCV infection worldwide due to its large population. The Punjab state needs an exclusive mention as HCV infection has been reported to be much higher when compared to many other states. Most of the Punjabis are unaware of their hepatitis C status due to lack of symptoms in the early phase. Importantly, still there is no vaccine against hepatitis C, so prevention by adopting universal precautions and regular screening to detect early cases remains the key.”

Dr Vikramjeet S Sandhu from Gastroenterology added that sharing of infected needles/syringes by drug addicts is the major source of continued HCV transmission in the state now. Tattooing and body piercing, sharing razors and toothbrushes, recipient of unscreened blood /blood products , hemodialysis patients and HIV infected persons are at increased risk of getting infected by hepatitis C.

Dr Amit Soni , Gastroenterologist at SPS hospitals further disclosed that hepatitis C is still one of the commonest cause of liver damage and liver cancer in Punjab.    Dr Amit announced that on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day , all the people who have been found to be hepatitis C positive in week long screening will be invited , educated and counseled for free. According to Dr Malhi “Innovation in the field of Hepatitis C treatment has been swift and incredible. Interferon (Injection) free treatment has been available in India since March 2015. The new all oral antiviral treatment  is not just very safe , successful (> 95%cure)  and acceptable to patients, but they have further extended the patient groups in whom these can be used.”

Dr Ubaid , Medical Superintendent, revealed that Gastroenterology department under the leadership of Dr Malhi has been actively involved in organizing frequent free hepatitis screening camps and awareness lectures in Ludhiana and surrounding regions. Such small steps if taken by all the responsible health professionals are bound to bring big change in Punjab.