Page 6 - Seniorstoday October 2022 Issue
P. 6
Cover Story - Health
Love Life, Love Your Liver
In India today, liver disease is a major public health concern. It is currently the tenth
leading - and quickly ascending - cause of death in the country, writes Dr Chetan
Ramesh Kalal
Recently, a senior citizen of around 70 development and prosperity is at risk if the
years came for a medical consultation. citizens do not wake up to the health-care
The gentleman was diabetic but otherwise dangers that lurk in this upward journey.
seemed fit. Upon clinical examination and Rising incomes and societal changes
prescribed tests, he was diagnosed with come with their own health challenges
both liver cirrhosis and a liver tumour. - consumption of fast food, unhealthy
Upon hearing his medical diagnosis, the habits, sedentary lifestyle, and alcohol
patient was in a state of shock. Enquiries consumption. These lifestyle changes may
during the ensuing clinical interactions lead one to obesity, diabetes, hypertension,
revealed that the patient had been suffering high cholesterol, liver disease, mental
from fatty liver disease (FLD) for many health issues and more. All of these are on
years but had been informed by his general the rise; some are detected and addressed,
practitioner not to worry about FLD. but the majority of them go unreported.
Ignorance and negligence thus contributed With this background, let me now address
to the seriousness of FLD manifesting in its the human body’s critical organ: the liver.
present criticality. Know Your Liver
India is celebrating Amrit Mahotsav of The liver is the second largest organ of the
its independence and is on the cusp of both human body after the brain. It performs
progress and development. We aim to more than five hundred complex functions
be a developed nation soon and no doubt daily. The liver plays a key role in the
we will reap the benefits of development body’s metabolism, detoxification, and
and prosperity. However, all progress, protection against disease. It is known to
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