Doctors say that in more than 90% cases, patients don’t realise that they have a liver disease until it’s late.
On the one hand as a team of doctors at Global Hospital in Chennai are working hard to stabilise union minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, doctors say that the unfortunate incident brings to light, once again, the importance of awareness on liver diseases. Deshmukh is suffering from multi-organ failure.
Doctors say that in more than 90% cases, patients don’t realise that they have a liver disease until it’s late. What’s worse is that cost of treatment for liver ailments especially in later stages is exorbitantly high.
Statistics obtained from birth and death registration department of Pune Municipal Corporation showed that an average of 35-40 people die every month of liver related problems. Contrary to popular belief, even non-alcoholics can fall prey to deadly liver diseases.
“Alcohol abuse continues to cause maximum cases of liver cirrhosis. But in recent years, viral hepatitis infections as well as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with diabetes, obesity and sedentary lifestyle too are on the rise,” said gastroenterologist Dr SH Kayamkhani.
Doctors say it is important for people to be alert to liver ailments, as liver diseases are a silent killer. “People wouldn’t even realise that they have this problem till one day when it becomes serious. There are usually no early symptoms and even later it may present itself as simple fatigue, anaemia, recurrent jaundice and swelling in leg or a low platelet count,” said gastroenterologist Dr Parimal Lawate.
“While early detection of liver ailments can be done by simple screening tests, preventive measures especially for high risk groups are especially important. Recently we are seeing increase in number of patients with NAFLD and that’s why people who are diabetic, obese, suffer from thyroid ailments and high level of triglycerides should not only get screened but follow strict diet and exercise regime,” said Dr Kayamkhani.
Statistics reveal that nearly 2lakh people in India die of terminal liver disease of which 25,000 can be saved by transplants every year. While non alcoholics too suffer from liver cirrhosis, the maximum risk is for alcoholics.
“Though alcohol usage itself is not so good for health, the least people should know beyond which point it can pose a health risk.”
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