NON-ALCOHOLIC
FATTY LIVER DISEASE - SCI & TECH
News: 38% of Indians have non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease, says AIIMS study
What's
in the news?
●
A recent AIIMS study, which analysed
published reports on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in India, states that
over one-third (38 percent) of Indians have fatty liver or non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease.
Key
takeaways:
●
Use of common over the counter drugs,
which are generally considered safe, may also lead to liver damage, according
to experts.
Non-alcoholic
Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD):
●
It is the abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of
secondary causes of fatty liver, such as harmful alcohol use, viral hepatitis.
●
It is a serious health concern as it encompasses a spectrum of liver
abnormalities, from a simple non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL, simple fatty
liver disease) to more advanced ones like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH),
cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
●
Non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH) is liver inflammation and damage caused
by a buildup of fat in the liver.
●
Cirrhosis is a complication of liver
disease that involves loss of liver cells and irreversible scarring of the
liver. Alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C are common causes of cirrhosis.
Initiative
taken:
●
National
Programme for prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular
Diseases & stroke (NPCDCS) programme strategies can easily be
aligned to prevent NAFLD through lifestyle changes, early diagnosis, and
management of associated non-communicable diseases as well as NAFLD.
●
The role of Ayushman Bharat- Health and
Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) in curbing NCDs is immensely beneficial.
●
The focus of ‘Eat Right India’ and ‘Fit
India Movement’ are right steps in this direction.