Liver diseases have been a major health burden globally. If we look at the statistics of the last decade, it is clear that in India too, the risk of liver diseases and the cases of death due to it are increasing year by year. Due to disturbances in lifestyle and diet, even young people are becoming victims of liver diseases, due to which not only is additional pressure on the health sector increasing, but cases of death due to liver diseases are also increasing.
World Liver Day is celebrated every year on 19 April to make people aware of the increasing problems of the liver and educate the youth to protect themselves from the risks of this disease.
Health experts say problems like liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer are emerging as major threats. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data published in 2017, deaths due to liver disease (cirrhosis) in India have increased to more than 2.60 lakh, which is about three percent of the total deaths. Not only this, India accounts for the fifth (18.3%) of deaths due to cirrhosis globally.
Liver diseases can be fatal
While talking to Amar Ujala, Pune based liver disease specialist Dr. Narottam Singh says, now we are seeing increasing liver problems even in young people. Diseases like fatty liver are becoming common. Apart from this, diet and lifestyle problems are also becoming the cause of liver-related diseases.
In most cases, it is seen that liver problems and their symptoms are often ignored which can lead to serious problems. Many liver diseases are considered fatal, hence it is important to identify their symptoms in time and get treatment.
Cases of liver cirrhosis are increasing
The problem of liver cirrhosis means permanent damage to the liver, which not only affects the normal functioning of the liver but also can have fatal side effects if it is not treated in time. This is seen as a major cause of liver failure. Generally, liver cirrhosis can occur due to alcohol-drug abuse, virus infection, and metabolic problems.
Researchers have found that people with hepatitis B and C infection have a higher risk of developing liver cirrhosis.
Liver infection problems
Liver infection has also been a major factor in fatal liver problems. Infections like viral hepatitis cause swelling in the liver. In such conditions, the normal function of the liver gets affected, which can have fatal side effects. If we look at the data, it is found that in the year 2022, there are an estimated more than 1.1 million (11 lakh) deaths worldwide due to hepatitis B infection, most of which were related to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).
Increased risk of fatty liver
Statistics show that the problem of fatty liver is increasing in many developed and developing countries including India. This disease is also being seen in those who do not drink alcohol. This is called non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). Doctors say that the problem of fat formation in the liver can be treated, but in some situations, the normal functioning of the liver may get disrupted. If fatty liver is left untreated, it can lead to serious health risks.
Mortality due to NAFLD increased by 6.1% in 2013 compared to 2007.
(PC: ISTOCK)
