AIG: 4 out of 10 people suffer from fatty liver
In most cases this is not caused by consumption of alcohol
Four out of 10 people may be suffering from fatty liver disease. In most cases, contrary to popular belief, this is not caused by consumption of alcohol.
This observation is part of the incidental findings released by AIG Hospitals here on Thursday from its rural outreach programme. This included a door-todoor survey and clinical data analysis. As per the findings, over 25 per cent of people in urban areas and 20 per cent in rural areas have fatty liver disease.
Dr Nageshwar Reddy, chairman and chief of
gastroenterology, AIG Hospitals, said, “I believe it is not cancer or diabetes, but fatty liver disease that needs the most attention. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an epidemic in our country because of the sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits. A major concern is that NAFLD doesn’t show many symptoms.”
Doctors expressed concern that the disease was being seen even in people as young as 20-year-olds. It was most prevalent in people around age 40.
Dr Reddy said that among patients with this ailment, only 5-6 per cent were found to be consuming alcohol.
Dr Mithun Sharma, director of Hepatology, AIG Hospitals, said, “The complications of fatty liver disease include NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), in which there’s significant inflammation in liver and this can progress to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer or chronic liver failure.”
Doctors said the most effective way to reverse the disease was basic modification in diet and lifestyle like incorporating half-an-hour of physical activity per day, eating fibrous foods and avoiding high-calorie carbohydrate-rich foods.
Dr Nageshwar Reddy said a typical south Indian diet is the most-balanced, provided the intake of calories remained under control.
AIG Hospitals is launching a dedicated Fatty Liver and NASH Clinic that will feature liver experts, cardiologists, obesity management, diabetes management and nutrition support.