Let’s focus on creating awareness

Liver diseases are currently on the rise in India and have become a serious burden amongst the common man. According to WHO data published in the year 2011, the liver disease is among top the 20 causes of death in India. Experts believe that the main reason for this swift rise in liver diseases as well as liver failure is due to the lack of awareness in our country.

Some of these liver diseases are metabolic, being inherent at the time of birth and they manifest later. However, the majority of liver diseases in our population are preventable. Alcohol-induced liver disease, fatty liver-induced liver disease (NAFLD), Viral Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common causes of liver damage and, thankfully, are preventable.

Liver Transplant is the preferred treatment for conditions leading to liver failure. Cutting edge technologies like Transesophageal echocardiogram and Thrombo-elastogram have made the liver transplant operation safe for the patients. The acceptable risk for liver transplantation is one of the least in the world, while the donor complication rates are almost nonexistent. (The writer is Head - Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Unit, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.)

By Dr Manish C Varma