Diabetes is a disease which can affect every part of the body. This disease is also having a serious effect on the liver.
A recent major study has revealed that 1 out of every 4 diabetic patients has liver damage, and in many cases no symptoms are even visible. This study has been published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia. In this, more than 9,000 type-2 diabetes patients across the country were studied.
This study revealed that clinically significant liver fibrosis was found in about 26% of the patients, while in 14% of the patients it had reached advanced stage. It is a matter of concern that its symptoms were not visible in most of the patients. It is also clear from this study that diabetes The effect is not limited to the kidneys or eyes, but this disease is now damaging the liver as well. This can take the liver to such a state where there is a risk of the patient’s condition becoming critical. Since symptoms are not visible in many cases, when the disease is detected, the liver has already been damaged.
People who were not obese also had an effect on their liver.
This study is very important for everyday clinical practice, because the patients in it were selected from the general diabetes care setup rather than from a specialized liver clinic. The study revealed that liver fibrosis was present even in people who were not obese. Whereas obesity is also a risk factor of this disease.
What is clinically significant liver fibrosis?
Liver gets damaged in two ways. One due to increase in fat and the other due to swelling in the liver. Swelling is more dangerous. When this swelling increases, small marks start appearing on the liver. These are called scars. When these marks increase, they start affecting the functioning of the liver and the liver starts getting damaged. In medical language this is called clinically significant liver fibrosis.
What things should diabetic patients keep in mind?
Check sugar level once every day
If sugar level has increased then consult a doctor
Take care of symptoms like stomach pain
exercise daily