Eighty percent of Indian IT workers, according to a recent study, have fatty livers as a result of poor lifestyle choices, sedentary lifestyles, and work-related stress.
According to Dr. Vishal Khurana, director of gastroenterology and hepatobiliary sciences at Metro Hospital in Faridabad, “between 30 and 40 percent of the population has some form of fatty liver, and fatty liver cases are often diagnosed incidentally during routine health screenings.”
In 2021, the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology released a meta-analysis of 62 data sets from 50 research on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which revealed that 38 percent of Indian adults suffer from NAFLD, with Chandigarh having the highest percentage at 53.5%. Among children, the prevalence was 35%.
Before delving into the specifics of liver illness and the reasons for the recent spike in instances, let’s clarify the distinctions between these conditions, as they may be unclear.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the two forms of fatty liver disease, which is a condition in which the liver accumulates excessive amounts of fat. Children are more likely to have NAFLD, especially if they have metabolic problems.
Dr Sanjiv Saigal, principal director and head of liver transplant and biliary sciences, gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopy at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, explains that fatty liver progresses in stages, “Fatty liver itself is not very dangerous, but it moves through four stages: simple fatty liver, inflammation (steatohepatitis), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. If caught early, fatty liver can be reversed, but once cirrhosis develops, the damage is permanent.” NAFLD is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Dietary and lifestyle changes are directly responsible for the rise in fatty liver instances. Hepatologist, liver transplant specialist, and gastroenterologist Dr. Pavan Hanchanale of Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune blames this increase on “sedentary habits, excessive consumption of fatty and fast food, and increasing alcohol intake.”
“This is completely because of a major change in lifestyle, which has impacted the health of these youngsters. They are not exercising. The tendency to stay indoors, be on computers, play on iPads, or study indoors has had a major impact. The usual practice of children going out and playing for hours in the fields has really reduced,” says Dr Saigal.
Secondly, Dr Saigal mentions how food patterns have changed from traditional home-cooked meals to online delivery. “Having junk food and snacks at midnight while studying, just sitting at computers, and frequently ordering foodthese habits lead to a high intake of junk food, which is generally not of good quality in terms of nutritional content. These dietary habits, which include more fat, more trans fats, and fewer healthy nutrients, are concerning. If I had to name a few, I would say pizza, burgers, and so on. These things are really impacting children’s lives,” he adds. He further adds that routine health check-ups have played a role in identifying more cases, stating, “More patients are being diagnosed during routine screenings, revealing that fatty liver is a growing concern across all age groups.”
The term “silent disease” is frequently used to describe fatty liver disease, and with good cause. In its early stages, the disease might not exhibit any symptoms. But when it worsens, some symptoms can point to liver issues. Some common symptoms, according to Nausheen Shaikh, nutritionist and diet consultant at Alyve Health, include: Persistent fatigue and weakness, Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, Unexplained weight loss, Swelling in the abdomen (ascites), Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes in severe cases), Dark urine and pale stools
If caught early, fatty liver can be reversed. “It goes through four stages (as we told you),” Dr. Saigal reassures. Fatty liver is the first symptom, followed by hepatitis, an inflammatory condition, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
But if you have cirrhosis, the harm is usually irreversible, he says. “Your liver should be fit, not fatty. “Prevention through a healthy lifestyle is the best treatment,” Dr. Saigal says.
