Recently, Bollywood icon Hrithik Roshan's sister Sunaina Roshan revealed her reversal journey of fatty liver; with dietary regulations and exercises, Sunaina claims she is now "completely cured" of her Grade 3 fatty liver.
Recently, Rakesh Roshan reportedly mentioned his daughter Sunaina as his inspiration. He said, “I learnt a lot about dealing with struggles from my daughter. She went through a lot of illnesses and surgeries since childhood. But she has always been very brave and used to laugh at the face of hardships. She has always been a very happy person and that that taught me a lot. I believe that no matter what the situation is, we should be happy and content”.
THE WEEK speaks to Dr. Meghraj Ingle, Director and Senior Consultant Gastroenterology at Gleneagles Hospitals in Mumbai on various aspects associated with a fatty liver in today's times. Excerpts...
What are your observations about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?
6 of 10 fatty liver patients I meet daily are men. Many of them come with grade 1 fatty liver disease (mild hepatic steatosis). It is an early stage and not-so-severe stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication. It’s no longer called NAFLD. It is now called metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
The causes of fatty liver in men and women are obesity, hypertension, diabetes, higher cholesterol levels, alcohol-high triglycerides, refined carbohydrates, sweets, and saturated fats, and genetics. There is a 30% surge in fatty liver disease compared to the previous year and this is a commonly seen problem across age groups.
What is the measurement to know excess fat and what can its accumulation do to the liver?
Excess fat is measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist circumference. A BMI over 25 means one is overweight, while over 30 suggests the person is obese. Excess fat accumulation, especially visceral fat, can lead to fatty liver disease (NAFLD), causing inflammation, and liver damage, and raising the chances of liver failure.
What are the initial symptoms of NAFLD and how can it be detected early?
NAFLD often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, some witness signs such as fatigue, mild abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight gain. It can be detected early through routine blood tests (liver function tests), ultrasound, or MRI. Regular health check-ups and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and maintaining an optimum weight are advisable to patients.
Are Indians more prone to developing fatty liver?
Indians tend to have a higher risk of suffering from fatty liver because of genetic factors, a high-carb diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. Higher incidence of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes can contribute to the rising NAFLD cases. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and routine health check-ups can help one to keep fatty liver disease at bay.
What do you think about having screenings for fatty liver easily available?
Routine screenings consisting of blood tests and ultrasounds can help to detect fatty liver disease and initiate timely management. Early diagnosis allows for timely lifestyle changes, reducing the risk of severe liver damage. Everyone should be encouraged to go for regular check-ups to know the status of their liver health.
How has liver cirrhosis, as a disease, evolved in the last ten years in India?
Over the last decade, liver cirrhosis in India has evolved from just being alcohol-related to being driven by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because of other factors such as obesity and diabetes, higher cholesterol levels, and saturated fats. Moreover, timely diagnosis and management are key. Liver cirrhosis causes liver damage and one may also require liver transplantation. So, it is the need of the hour to take care of the liver and prevent cirrhosis.
