NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED?

A recent study has found that 1 in 5 people in India suffers from liver disorders. Before you blame it on the increased alcohol consumption, here is a startling figure. More than 25 percent of the people who suffer from liver disorders, do not consume alcohol.

So, what exactly is the trigger? The rising levels of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, genetics, and gut bacteria, the study claims is to be blamed. Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders which result in high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high levels of triglyceride levels also add to it. Topping the list of harmful liver disorders is the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a silent killer.

What is fatty liver?

Fatty liver disease or hepatic steatosis means you have extra fat in your liver. Liver, ideally should not contain fat. Till a couple of years ago, alcohol was one of the main reasons for a fatty liver disorder. However, in the last decade, there has been an increased number of people who suffer from non – alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by the build-up of fat in the liver. In its early stages, NAFLD may not cause any harm, but if left untreated it can lead to serious liver damage. There are four stages in the development of the disease.

The first stage is a simple fatty liver, where there is a large build-up of fat in the liver. If left untreated, it develops to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis – a situation where your liver has become inflamed. Fibrosis happens when a scar tissue forms and cirrhosis, where the liver shrinks and stops working properly.

Should you be worried?

The risk for Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases raises if you are obese, have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and have metabolic syndrome.

What are the symptoms?

In the early stages, it is difficult to diagnose Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. It is here that the need for constant medical check-up comes in. At KIMS we have various routine check-ups that will tell you if you are suffering from NAFLD. You have to do a medical check-up if you suffer from a dull or lasting pain in the top right of the tummy, or feel extremely tired. Unexplained weight loss and general weakness could also signify a liver disorder.

We have a well-equipped and well-manned treatment center for liver-related diseases at KIMS.