World liver day

Theme– Spreading awareness of liver diseases and know your liver, keep it healthy

Liver is a vital organ which carries out many essential functions related to digestion, metabolism, immunity, and the storage of nutrients within the body, without which the tissues of the body would quickly die from lack of energy and nutrients.

Incidence of organ failure is on the rise and unfortunately, there is lack of awareness about liver failure and diseases. Alcohol, non-alcoholic fatty liver and viral infection (particularly Hepatitis B and C) has been highlighted as the three major killer diseases of liver. All of them are reversible if treated in time and therefore needs mass awareness.

The leading cause of liver disease in India is excess alcohol consumption. In the initial stages there would be fat accumulation in the liver. This could be improved and even cured if the patients stop drinking and take regular medications. Other causes are Hepatitis B and C infections, which silently damage the liver, many of them can be managed with medicines but 5% of them may progress to liver failure.

Obesity is a cause of concern amongst the youth of India, due to their sedentary lifestyles, uncontrolled diabetes, consumption of junk fatty foods, with no exercise regimen. One of the major outcomes of obesity is a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which can lead to cirrhosis.  NAFLD affects about 25% of people in the India.

Speaking on the occasion of ‘World liver day’ leading Liver specialist Dr. B. S. Ramakrishna said nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can reach epidemic proportions in the years to come with improper lifestyles that our youth is tempted to adopt.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Rajasekhar Perumalla, Senior Liver Transplant Surgeon, at SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai highlighted the alarming increase in the incidence of the liver diseases among Indian population said liver transplantation is certainly a life-saving operation for patients with end-stage liver disease.

Measures to prevent liver disease:

• Exercise: Maintain a healthy weight and obesity can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Regular exercise for at least 30-60 minutes/day is recommended.
• Diet: Avoid high carbohydrates and fats in diet. Increase protein intake and plenty of fiber in the form of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid alcohol:
• Avoid risky behavior. Get help if you use illicit intravenous drugs, and don’t share needles used to inject drugs. Use a condom during sex. If you choose to have tattoos or body piercings, be picky about cleanliness and safety when selecting a shop.
• Universal vaccination.
• Use medications wisely.
• Avoid contact with other people’s blood and body fluids. Hepatitis viruses can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of blood or body fluids.

For more details please contact: SIMS -Vadpalani- Next to Vadpalani Metro Station,#1,JN Salai (100ft.rd),Chennai, 044-2000 2001.