Today 19th April, is World Liver Day .Obesity and liver diseases seems to have a direct correlation and obesity seems to be a trigger for liver diseases . Doctors say tha sedentary lifestyle is a major cause for ” Liver disease and obesity”

With liver transplants bringing in a bill of between Rs 12 to Rs 30 lakh, on World Liver Day doctors emphasize the need for nipping the problem in the bud so that liver disease can be prevented.

With the increase of obesity there seems to be a silent epidemic of non-alcoholic fatty liver problem, which gradually leads to severe liver damage.

“With changing dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle, more obese people are showing up with fatty liver disease.

He said that since the cost is so high when it comes to liver transplants, it is of utmost importance that the cause is tackled at the root. Most of the causes which lead to end stage liver disease like alcoholism, obesity or hepatitis are controllable factors. “So it is essential that people are made aware of the triggers and how to prevent them,” added the doctor.

The increasing problem of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs because of diversion of excess calories to synthesise fat in the liver and the inability of the liver to export the synthesised fat.

“Insulin resistance is the primary pathophysiology of this disorder. Excess fat in the liver causes inflammation, a stage called Non Alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which is seen in around 25 per cent of NAFLD patients. Over time this inflammation causes progressive liver damage leading to cirrhosis and liver failure,” Dr. Poorna Chandra, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Fortis Hospitals.

The pricy transplant procedures and the expenses incurred for being on immunosuppressant drugs for one’s whole life are so high, that doctors insist on the need to tackle the problem at its onset, so that it does not graduate to end-stage liver disease.

Some of the Common Liver Related Diseases

• Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, caused mainly by various viruses but also by some poisons

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a spectrum in disease, associated with obesity and characterized as an abundance of fat in the liver

• Cirrhosis Of The Liver :This  is the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver from replacing dead liver cells. Diagnosis is done by checking levels of Alanine transaminase and Asparatine transaminase (SGOT).

• Haemochromatosis, a hereditary disease causing the accumulation of iron in the body, eventually leading to liver damage.

• Cancer of the liver (primary hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic cancers, usually from other parts of the gastrointestinal tract).

• Wilson’s disease, a hereditary disease which causes the body to retain copper.

• Budd-Chiari syndrome, obstruction of the hepatic vein.

• Gilbert’s syndrome, a genetic disorder of bilirubin metabolism, found in about 5% of the population
  
  The best way to take preemptive steps to take care of your live is doing a  Liver Function Tests

A number of liver function tests are available to test the proper function of the liver. These test for the presence of enzymes in blood that are normally most abundant in liver tissue, metabolites or products. LFT’s , serum proteins , serum albumin , serum globulin , A/G Ratio, alanine transaminase , aspartate transaminase , prothrombin time , partial thromboplastin time, platelet count.

Mumbai, January 24, 2011: In the unique case which will strengthen the confidence of the World in the abilities of Indian doctors, team of specialist Fortis Hospitals Mulund correctly diagnosed and treated a 35 year old US national Ms Michelle Hardin of brain tumor. The US doctors had earlier diagnosed the condition as a case of obesity and recommended Gastric Bypass Surgery.

In the last few years Ms Hardin’s weight increased from 190 pounds to 300 pounds (86 kg to 136 kg). She also suffered from diabetes and hypertension. “I tried various diet control measures but to no avail. Also I had excessive thirst and would drink almost 8 liter of liquid daily and would feel always hungry. My obesity caused breathing difficulty (sleep apnea) and for which I used a special machine (CPAP Machine) to keep oxygen under pressure. Seven months back I took an expert opinion in US, where I was asked to undergo Gastric Bypass Surgery (GBS) to treat obesity. Since GBS was very expensive in US, I thought of undergoing the treatment in India.” Ms Hardin

Ms Hardin decided to visit Fortis Hospital to consult Dr Ramen Goel who has a vast experience of performing thousands of advanced laparoscopic surgeries including bariatric surgeries.

“Ms Hardin visited us with the known fact that she had to undergo Bariatric surgery through Gastric Bypass method. Detailed investigations at the hospital however revealed that she actually had a Pituitary Tumor on the right side of the pituitary gland of about 1cm in diameter. The weight gained was actually because of this pituitary tumour and not because of any case of obesity. I referred her to Dr Milind Vaidya, Consultant Neurosurgeon who has an expertise to remove the tumour through minimally invasive procedure.” said Dr Ramen Goel.

Dr. Milind Vaidya, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Fortis Hospitals Mulund said, “The tumor, situated in pituitary gland at the base of the brain, triggered excessive production of cortisol hormone by the adrenal glands leading to complications like uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and weight gain. We treated her by transnasal- transsphenoidal excision of the pituitary tumor (a minimally invasive procedure) on 14th Jan 2011.”

Dr Vaidya used an endoscope & microscope to reach the tumour through her nostrils. He used both the nasal openings to reach the tumour to avoid incision or scar. He took special care to remove every bit of the tumour, to achieve cure and preserve the normal pituitary gland.

Ms Hardin had an uneventful excision of the right sided tumor and the normal pituitary on the left side was left untouched. Her nasal pack has been removed and she is doing well post-operation, with diabetes & hypertension under good control.

“I was shocked to learn that I suffered from tumour. I thank the doctors of Fortis Hospital. Had there been no timely intervention from them I wouldn’t know what would have happened to my life. Post operative my thirst & appetite have reduced markedly to normal levels. Doctor assured that my weight will be restored to normalcy gradually.” Ms Hardin.

According to Dr Vaidya, “Ms Hardin’s life is today safe and secure only because of timely detection. Had we continued the treatment of GBS or had we wrongly diagnosed the case, her condition could have been critical. Hence timely detection and right expertise is very crucial. This case is a testimony to the quality and credibility of Indian Healthcare expertise.”

Today India is considered as the best treatment destination by foreign patients as they can avail the finest medical facilities at affordable rates. Fortis has partnered with Indushealth in the US who has played a significant role in helping many such international medical travelers avail quality healthcare services at Fortis Hospitals.

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Mississippi is the fattest state for 5th straight year, Colorado still leanest

For 2010 Mississippi has claimed the title of fattest state for the fifth consecutive year, while Colorado continues its streak as the leanest. Maine rose the most places in the rankings over last year, while Oregon dropped the most, according to a new analysis by CalorieLab, Inc.Tennessee jumped from fourth place to tie last year’s second place state Alabama. Nine states have obese populations that exceed 30 percent over a three-year average, and in ten states two-thirds of the citizens were either overweight or obese by CDC standards in 2009.

Also not faring well this year was Maine, which rose six places to be the 29th fattest state, from last year’s 35th placing.Read More about the most Obese States in US