The rising incidence of Fatty Liver Disease is affecting 1/3rd of India’s population

Fatty liver is a condition caused by the accumulation of excess fat within the liver cells. It affects the 1/3rd of our population and is the leading cause of serious liver disease. It can be completely reversed with diet and exercise if detected on time but a focused effort is needed to manage fatty liver. A team of liver specialist, endocrinologist, clinical nutritionist and exercise specialist come together under a team to help people to tackle the fatty liver disease at the Global Hospital, Parel.

A study conducted by Global Hospital revealed that last year (2018), out of 4,862 patients who visited Liver clinic at the Global hospital, 17.2 % of patients were diagnosed to have fatty liver disease. It was observed that 76% were males and 24% were females. To spread awareness about fatty liver and related disease, Global Hospital, Parel has initiated a fatty liver program with a focused effort and a multispecialty approach.

Fatty liver covers a spectrum of disorders beginning with the accumulation of excess fat (steatosis) to inflammation of the liver (steatohepatitis). Steatohepatitis is a reversible condition. However, if proper care is not taken, the inflammation in the liver may cause scarring and hardening of the liver tissue leading to cirrhosis. Not only this, it may further progress into liver cancer in some patients. Moreover, there is a surge in the number of people with fatty liver disease.

22-year-old Sagar Vegad, who weighed 91kgs, came forward to donate the part of his liver to save his father, who was suffering from liver cirrhosis due to fatty liver. On assessment, Sagar was found to have excessive fat in the liver and was declared unfit as a donor.

Due to the unavailability of any other donor, Sagar was determined to donate a liver to help his father get a new lease of life. The transplant team and nutritionist advised him to go on a diet and exercise regime to lose excess fat. After proper guidance and follow-up with Dr. Shah and team, Sagar lost over 20kgs in 45 days and was stated clinically fit to donate a part of liver to his father, while his sister Neha Vegad donated her kidney to gives his father a lease of life. Sagar’s 59-year-old father Narendra Vegad successfully underwent simultaneous liver and kidney transplant at Global Hospital, Parel.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease. It is a condition caused by the deposition of excess fat in the liver in individuals who drink little or no alcohol. A severe form of NAFLD is steatohepatitis which is inflammation and liver cell damage. NASH can progress to fibrosis and later to cirrhosis which is scarring and hardening of liver tissue. Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure and liver cancer necessitating a liver transplant. Indeed, many people are not even aware of the underlying presence of NAFLD.

Global Hospital, Parel launches a Fatty Liver Program to offer a structured diet, exercise and medication plan to treat patients with fatty liver disease. Patients will be benefited by a multidisciplinary approach to optimize their weight loss by expert advice from nutritionist and exercise specialist along with the evaluation by Endocrinologist and Hepatologist to effectively control the metabolic risk factors. The team will also have a psychologist to provide counseling.

Dr. Samir Shah, Head, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver Diseases, HPB Surgery, and Liver Transplant, Global Hospital, Mumbai said, “The clinic is a comprehensive focussed effort to help patients fight fatty liver disease. The ones with fatty liver disease, who fail to shed those excess kilos, may go on to suffer from serious liver ailments and require a transplant. In about 350 patients who needed a liver transplant at the Global Hospitals, Mumbai the number one cause was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Even after patients realize, they need to lose weight, it is difficult for them to do so. A focus team effort is thus essential for their management and the need of the hour.”

Dr. Shah added, “By introducing a fatty liver clinic, we are proposing a new way to approach the fatty liver problem which remains unsolved in India.”

“Global Hospital has always remained at the forefront of medical advances and has the reputation of introducing the best and latest medical technologies first in the country. The sole aim of the hospital is to create awareness about major health issues, by taking up various health initiatives. Similarly, the expertise of the fatty liver program will be beneficial for the patients since it has become a very common health issue due to changes in diet and lifestyle,” said Dr. Vivek Talaulikar, CEO Global Hospital, Parel.