More than one lakh people are diagnosed with hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C every year. The diseases which infect the liver, mainly affect the age group between 30-50 years.
More than one lakh people are diagnosed with hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C every year. The diseases which infect the liver, mainly affect the age group between 30-50 years. In Bangalore alone, about 10,000 people suffer from chronic liver disease.
Experts in the city say that sometimes, liver disease requires long-term follow-up and treatment. “While liver transplant remains the only viable option for many, it is an expensive procedure that demands long-term follow-ups,” said Dr G Srikanth, director, gastroenterology services, BGS Global Hospital.
Other liver diseases include liver tumour — cancerous or benign — that requires to be managed in specialised centres.
However, there were only a handful of specialised centres in India, which can deal with liver diseases, said Dr Srikanth.
The most common risk factor for liver is probably alcohol intake. Also, if hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C infection persist for a longer time, it can lead to chronic liver disease. “These two infections can spread through un-sterilised blood transfusion, contaminated needles, drug addicts and to children during birth,” said Dr Sadiq Sikora, head of department, surgical gastroentrologist, Manipal Hospital.
The best way to ward off hepatitis is to avoid eating stale food, to eat freshly-cooked food and maintain good hand hygiene. “In case of any blood transfusion, one should ensure that the blood comes from a good and reliable blood bank. Also, since hepatitis can also be sexually transmitted, it’s advisable to have protected intercourse,” said Dr Srikanth.
Recent findings show that diabetes and obesity tend to develop fatty liver disease.
About 10%-12% of cases related to liver diseases is fatty liver disease, said Dr Sikora. “Lipid abnormality, diabetes and obesity leads to fatty liver disease and if precaution is not taken on time, this can lead to chronic liver damage,” he said.
Besides, 4% of the total population is affected by hepatitis and one-third of these patients tend to develop liver failure. Also, a large percentage of the alcoholic population develop liver damages. “It has been medically proven that intake of 120 gm-150 gm of alcohol per week is acceptable, and causes no harm to human body. Anything beyond that can be a cause of worry,” said Dr Srikanth.
Liver related diseases are not uncommon among children too. About 80% of the children suffering from biliary atrisia needs transplant. Also, in cases of autoimmune liver failure and hepatoblastoma (liver cancer among children), transplant is needed.
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