1 in 3 at Risk – Experts Warn on World Liver Day

On the occasion of World Liver Day (April 19), Medicover Hospitals has raised a serious alarm over the rapidly increasing cases of liver disease in India, calling it a “silent health crisis” affecting even young adults.Dr. Pavan Addala, Chief Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist and Program Head – Liver & Pancreas Transplant, Medicover Hospitals, Secunderabad, stated that nearly 1 in 3 Indians is estimated to have fatty liver disease, with a large number remaining undiagnosed. “What is more concerning is that we are seeing patients in their 20s and 30s with advanced liver damage,” he said.He explained that Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of liver illness today, driven by sedentary lifestyles, junk food consumption, obesity, diabetes, and stress. Among high-risk groups, the prevalence can cross 50%, making it a major threat to public health.“Liver disease often shows no symptoms until it reaches a dangerous stage. By the time patients seek medical help, significant damage may have already occurred,” Dr. Pavan Addala warned. If ignored, it can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer.He stressed that over 70% of liver diseases are preventable with simple lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising for at least 30 minutes daily, avoiding alcohol, and limiting unnecessary medications are crucial steps. Regular screening, including liver function tests, plays a key role in early detection.“While liver transplantation can save lives in advanced stages, prevention is the real solution. Awareness today can prevent complications tomorrow,” he added.Medicover Hospitals urges the public to act now—because a healthy liver is the foundation of a healthy life.



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