An ultrasound test of the whole abdomen is vital in case you are suffering from jaundice. It will help ascertain whether it's a case of normal jaundice or that of gall bladder cancer.

Experts speaking at a programme in Patna on Sunday stressed that people suffering from jaundice must undergo ultrasound test of the whole abdomen done because cases of gall bladder cancer had rapidly increased in Bihar. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) alone had reported 500 new cases of the disease annually for the past three years. What is worrisome is that only 5-10 per cent cases reach IGIMS in the curable stage.

Gastroenterologist-cum-additional medical superintendent of IGIMS Manish Mandal said this while speaking on the concluding day of the "Purvanchal Gastrocon". The IGIMS gastro-medicine department and the Indian Society of Gastroenterology (Bihar and Jharkhand chapter) had organised the programme jointly.

Mandal said most gall bladder cancer cases reach IGIMS in the advanced stage. "If the disease reaches in the initial stage, it can be cured with surgery. But only palliative care (treatment on lessening the pain) can be provided to patients in the advanced stage. Procedures opted for the advanced stage mainly help get patients rid of jaundice, which is one of the symptoms of the disease because treatment cannot start unless jaundice is cured."

Virendra Singh, the gastroenterologist attached to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, spoke about how drug overdose could be harmful for patients suffering from liver failure. "Often it has been found that doctors are prescribing more than two drugs to liver failure patients. The drug overuse might result in kidney failure among such patients. Medicines need to be administered more carefully to such patients."

Praveer Rai attached to Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow, spoke of endoscopic management of pancreatic biliary disease. "An endoscope can help trace the exact location of the tumour as well as help in its autopsy simultaneously."

S.P. Singh, the president of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology, talked about fatty liver and its prevention. "Fatty liver is among many diseases caused by obesity. As a part of prevention, people should opt for extensive physical activity. Walking for 45 minutes to one hour is advisable. Sedentary lifestyle should also be avoided. One should abstain from alcoholic drinks as well."