Discover the reasons behind the increased diagnoses of fatty liver among young Indians, the symptoms to be aware of and how to protect your liver.
Until recently, experts generally believed that fatty liver was a problem of older people or alcoholics. These days, things are changing rapidly.
Doctors in India are noticing a slow increase in fatty liver disorder cases among people in their 20s and 30s, even among non-drinkers. In fact, young adults are often surprised to learn they have liver disease, as it is detected during a routine health check-up.
It is health experts who have pointed out the increasing trend of this lifestyle in modern times.
What Is Fatty Liver Disease
In simple terms fatty liver occurs when there is excess fat in the liver. If you have excessive fat accumulated around the liver its function gets impaired over the time, thereby leading to inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver.
There are two type of fatty liver – one caused when people are alcoholic – Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD), another people who have little or no alcohol consumption, the condition is referred to as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which is also being called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MAFLD). The disease on a rise among young Indians because of poor diet, obesity, and worse lifestyle & unhealthy dietary habits.
Initially, fatty liver may show no significant symptoms. If it is not treated, the liver can become inflamed, develop scars, and eventually, these can cause permanent damage.
What are the causes of fatty liver in youth?
Doctors note that several lifestyle changes are harming your liver.
- The rising consumption of processed food, sugar drinks, refined flour, sweets, and high-calorie snacks, late night eating accounts for many people today putting on excess fat.
- There is an excess deposition of liver fat when long working hours are combined with a desk job and very little physical activity.
- When you put on weight or develop insulin resistance, you increase your chances of getting diabetes.
- Metabolic dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, sleep deprivation, and stress are some more causes of this disease.
Even people who are thin can have fatty liver because South Asians have genes that push them to store fat in their internal organs.
Urban professionals may have a metabolic problem which affects the liver due to poor sleep, constant stress, Vitamin D deficiency.
What are the early symptoms?
Fatty liver disease is often known as a silent illness as many people don’t develop any symptoms.
Symptoms may be included when they do appear.
- Feeling persistent tiredness and low energy levels.
- A sensation of dull ache or pressure in the right upper abdomen.
- Digestive discomfort, nausea, or Bloating
- Having difficulty shedding some pounds.
- Loss of appetite
- Unable to concentrate and clouded mental state
Fatty liver disease often goes unnoticed because the symptoms are quite subtle. There are cases where these symptoms are not present but that didn’t mean the liver is healthy. Most cases are picked up during a blood test or an abdominal ultrasound.
The silver lining is that early-stage fatty liver can be reversed.
Doctors advise that one of the healthiest ways to train the body and transform your health is to make little changes in your lifestyles. You need to cut down the intake of the sugar and processed food triggers in your diet. Eat More Vegetables And Fruits. Consume meals rich in protein as well! Most of the days should involve thirty minutes of exercise. Try to maintain a healthy weight and have regular screening.
To conclude – Fatty liver is no longer a disease associated only with older adults who are already suffering from obesity, diabetes, PMOS, cholesterol, hypothyroidism etc. As work becomes more sedentary and unhealthy eating habits become common, younger Indians are increasingly at risk. While there isn’t a magical remedy, adopting better habits daily can substantially reduce liver fat and minimize future risks.
