Not only liquor, metropolitan lifestyle also responsible for liver cirrhosis

Alcohol may no longer be the leading cause of liver cirrhosis in the city. Specialists dealing with the problem reveals that the city has reached a tipping point, with more cirrhosis patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) while adding with the alcohol-induced variety. A combination of factors–related to lifestyle and diet –has gradually led to this scenario, say Dr Anup Saraya, Head of the Department, Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Science.

A recent study from the Department of Gastroenterology, AIIMS reported a high hospital mortality up to 70 percent in patients with alcohol related acute on chronic liver failure. The outcome of alcoholrelated acute on chronic liver failure is worse than the other causes like hepatitis E virus and hepatitis B virus. In year 2017, AIIMS have nearly 26,000 new patients and 47,000 follow up patients suffering from liver disorder, however, in liver clinic 15,000 cases were given treatment, in which 2,000 were new cases and 13,000 were old cases, said Dr Saraya.

“Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease is also on the rise in India. The overall global prevalence is around 24 percent, however, in India, the reported prevalence is between 9-32 percent from different parts of the country. The prevalence of fatty liver disease increase in patients who are obese and those who have diabetes,” Dr Saraya.

Experts added that with growing affluence, Delhiites are spending more on food and leisure and cutting out physical exercises, which has had a serious health impact. Along with cardiac diseases and diabetes, NAFLD is arguably the fastest growing disease in the city. “Acute hepatitis or Hepatitis B and C are now treatable and can be prevented with vaccines but chronic hepatitis or NAFLD is not yet fully reversible. It can not be cured but can be merely controlled. Some patients end up with liver cancer as detection happens mostly at an advanced stage. NAFLD is lifestyle-related and is responsible for more than 25 percent of liver cirrhosis cases in across the country,” said Dr Deepak Gunjan, Assitant professor, Gastroenterology, AIIMS.

He also said that the disorder is triggered by an erratic lifestyle, high blood sugar, cholesterol and obesity, NAFLD remains dormant for several years, often with mild and non-specific symptoms that are ignored.

“The main stay of treatment of non alcoholic fatty liver dis- ease is weight loss which can be achieved by eating a healthy balanced died and regular experiences. Need to avoid sweetened drinks cola drinks, fruit juice containing fructose, butter, cream, excessive consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohols. Regular daily exercise of 45 minutes every day is recommended, said Dr Shalimar,

“There has been a sharp spurt in the number of patients over the past decade because of drastic lifestyle changes. Eating habits have turned unhealthy and physical activity is hardly there in our routine,” said Dr Shalimar, Associate Professor, Gastroeternology, AIIMS. He also added that now days alcohol consumption are spurt up rapdily, therefore its consequence are seen in our liver clinics. “Avoid consumption of alcohol which is one of the biggest contriutors to liver diseases.