Cuttack: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent in the state.
In NAFLD, excess fat accumulates in the liver even when the patient does not have a history of significant alcohol intake. This is the most common liver disease among people all over the world. NAFLD includes a spectrum of liver disorders ranging from fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) where there is inflammation of the liver in addition to excess fat. NASH may result in fibrosis or cirrhosis of liver or even liver cancer.
According to a study conducted by the Kalinga Gastroenterology Foundation (KGF), "one in every three persons in Odisha has NAFLD and one in six has NASH".
Gastroenterologist and KGF chairman Shivaram Prasad Singh said on Tuesday that NAFLD was "very common" in the state.
"A study conducted 15 years ago had shown that at least one fourth of the population in the state had fatty liver disease and one fourth of these patients had developed NASH. The prevalence has gone up further in recent times," Singh said. "The figures are a cause enough for worry as it means that one in six persons in the state are at risk of developing advanced liver diseases," said Singh, who is also chairman of Indian National Association for Study on Liver.
The study, which was conducted initially on 600 odd patients, has now increased its sample database to 3,500.
Those detected with fatty liver were predominantly middle aged males.
Most of them were heavy and were already suffering from some sort of bowel problems. The foundation was observing the International NASH Day on Tuesday. The day is being observed world over for the first time on June 12 this year to spread awareness among people on fatty liver.
Singh said fatty liver mostly occurred due to an imbalance between the calorie consumption and calorie burning. But, he said that fatty liver was both "preventable and reversible". "Fatty liver can be prevented by avoiding overeating and sedentary lifestyle, limiting junk and fatty food and fizzy drinks and doing regular exercises. Besides, one should keep risk factors, such as diabetes and blood pressure, on check," Singh said.
"Patients of NASH should control food intake, do regular exercise and avoid fatty food, junk food and cola drinks. They should also keep blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar under control," he said.