HYDERABAD: More than 25% of people in urban areas and 20% of people in rural areas suffer from Fatty Liver Disease, says a door-to-door survey conducted by the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) Hospitals. The Incidental data published by the AIG Hospitals on Thursday in Gachibowli shows that four out of 10 people in the State might be suffering from Fatty Liver Disease.
On the occasion of International NASH Day, the findings were made public by the hospital to increase awareness about Fatty Liver Disease and its consequences. NASH, which stands for Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis, is the most severe form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Fatty liver in turn leads to diabetes, heart diseases and obesity. “NAFLD is becoming an epidemic in our country mostly because of the sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits. The worrying factor is that NAFLD doesn’t show many symptoms and therefore it is mainly diagnosed incidentally,” said Dr Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals.
The study conducted by doctors of the hospital through its Rural Outreach Programme, showed that the patients in rural areas had fatty liver disease in spite of leading an active lifestyle. “In addition to the changing food habits, the prevalence of pnpla3 and Tm6SM2 genes in Indians increases the chances of fatty liver diseases,” said of Dr Mithun Sharma, the Director of Hepatology.
It is equally important to focus on those people who are already suffering from diabetes and hypertension because they are at higher risk of progression to severe liver damage in case they have NAFLD. “Weight loss is the most effective way to reverse Fatty Liver Disease and reduce the risk of any progression. Incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity per day, eating fibrous foods can easily reverse NAFLD,” Dr Rakesh Kalapala said.