The new test methods can verify the health of the liver without painful biopsies | Photo credit: Ajijchan
With the ‘World Liver Day’, which has just passed, this is the right time to talk about the ‘master regulator’ of the body, performing key roles in food digestion, body metabolism and detoxification. Modern life styles and dietary habits are putting our liver under serious tension.
The liver also tries to face and shows no sign and symptom of its disease until it has been destroyed largely bone. Hepatic diseases are often ‘silent’. Knowledge and early detection of liver lesion help.
Today, around 1.5 billion (150 million rupees) suffer chronic liver diseases worldwide, two million (20 Lakh) die every year due to liver problems. Liver cancer is among the fastest growing cancers and the third common cause of cancer deaths in the world. Most liver diseases are prevented and can be treated if they are recognized on time.
Almost 90 percent or liver diseases are caused by three factors: alcohol, fat and viruses. Hepatic alcohol-related (ALD) disease now contributes to 30-40 percent or liver cirrhosis.
However, non -alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where surplus fat is deposited in the liver, has become the most common liver problem worldwide. High calories, saturated fats, free sugars, extra salt and inappropriate antioxidants play a role here.
Hope is ahead
Despite the thesis challenges, there is a reason for hope. New test methods can verify liver health without painful biopsies. Doctors use special scanns such as fibro exploration to detect problems before ever, especially for fatty liver disease. Digital health applications can help people make changes in the lifestyle necessary to reverse early liver damage.
Our health systems must change to include liver controls, a regular part of physical exams.
Our daily elections make a great difference for his liver health, such as: avoid alcohol; Eat more natural, raw and less processed comprehensive foods; Eat a balanced diet rich in low sugar, fruits and colored vegetables, and lean proteins; Maintain healthy body weight; and vaccination against hepatitis A and B.
Attention to the first warning signals
While early liver disease has no symptoms, one should not ignore the early warning signs such as inexplicable fatigue that do not improve with rest; Heaviness and pain in the upper right of the abdomen; Yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine or pale feces; Or skin with itching and easy bruises.
The Government has launched the National Program for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis, in addition to issuing Guidelines for NAFLD under its program for noncommunicable diseases.
The liver deserves attention at each stage.
The writer is director, Ilbs, New Delhi
Posted on April 20, 2025