Fatty liver in non-drinkers leaves doctors worried

CHENNAI: If you thought only regular drinkers have to worry about liver problems, think again. Fatty liver is now affecting teetotalers too.

Doctors in the city note that there has been a significant surge in the number of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially among the obese and diabetics. They point out that high consumption of sugary drinks and high-carb diet coupled with lack of physical activity leads to this.

"It has always been called alcoholic liver disease, making people assume it only strikes heavy drinkers. But this is not true anymore," says Dr Vijay Vishwanathan, chief diabetologist at M V Diabetes Research Foundation. "Of all diabetes cases we saw 20 years ago, only 10% had fatty liver. Now we see it in 60% of them, and many of them do not consume alcohol."

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver disorder closely associated with insulin resistance and Type II diabetes, and characterised by fat accumulation in the liver. "The prevalence of NAFLD has been reported to be in the range of 15-20% in the general population whereas in Type-II diabetic population the prevalence is as high as 50-75%," said Dr Viswanathan.

Liver disease is one of the major causes of premature death in our country and with fatty liver cases increasing, urgent action is needed to halt this trend, said gastroenterologist Dr R Surendran. "Fatty liver is caused largely due to weight concentration in the mid-abdomen section. This is a result of consuming fatty and fried food. Out of 100 patients who go for an ultrasound test, 40 test positive for fatty liver," he said.

If left untreated, fatty liver condition can progress into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, where the liver becomes inflamed and results in liver failure in about 15% of patients. It also makes the person ineligible for liver donation. "A fatty liver is damaged and it cannot be donated after brain death," said Dr Surendran.

When detected early, NAFLD can be managed through lifestyle modifications, said Dr Viswanathan.

WHAT IS NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the build up of extra fat in liver cells; not caused by alcohol. If more than 10% of the liver's weight is fat, it is called fatty liver

WHO IS LIKELY TO HAVE NAFLD

It tends to develop in people who are overweight or have diabetes

RISKS

NAFLD may cause the liver to swell (steatohepatitis) and cause scarring (cirrhosis) over time and lead to liver failure

SYMPTOMS

Fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, itching, fluid build up and swelling of the legs and abdomen, confusion

DIAGNOSIS

NAFLD is initially suspected if blood tests show high levels of liver enzymes. An ultrasound is used to confirm the diagnosis

TREATMENT

There are no medical treatment yet for NAFLD. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly help prevent liver damage

PREVENTION

- Maintain a healthy weight

- Eat a healthy diet

- Exercise regularly

- Limit alcohol intake

- Follow dosing recommendations of drugs