As the cases of fatty liver disease are rising, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has informed the Parliament that the states have been asked to undertake screenings to tackle the serious health condition among workers.
Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, Nadda said the government has issued operational guidelines to help raise awareness about Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease, or MAFLD, apart from promoting healthy lifestyle interventions. “The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued operational guidelines for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, which provides for a healthy diet, regular physical activity, weight management, and reduced sugar/saturated fat consumption for prevention and management of NAFLD,” Nadda said.
Nadda said the decision was based on results from two studies that indicate
The Union Minister cited two studies that indicate the rising prevalence of MAFLD in India, especially among the IT employees, who have recorded more than an 80 per cent spike. The study published in the Nature Scientific Reports Journal, focused on the rising prevalence of the life-threatening condition. “A total of 290 (or 84.06 per cent) employees had increased liver fat accumulation, which indicates a high prevalence of MAFLD among IT employees,” he added.
There was another study conducted by the Indian Institute of Medical Research to understand what the regional risk factors for fatty liver disease and diabetes were in various villages of Rajasthan. “The key findings of the study are that 37.19 per cent of participants had fatty liver disease, with males showing a higher prevalence. Those consuming fast food weekly (76.3 per cent) were at higher risk,” Nadda said.
What is MAFLD?
MAFLD is a recently proposed term and diagnostic framework for fatty liver disease that is directly linked to metabolic dysfunction. According to experts, it aims to replace the previous term-NAFLD, or non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and emphasizes the connection between fatty liver and metabolic health issues like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Doctors say that over time, fat in your liver causes inflammation in your liver, leading to hepatitis. MASLD is one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease. Without treatment, MASLD causes more serious liver diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment can keep MASLD from getting worse.
Signs and symptoms of MASLD
While MASLD takes several years to develop, you can have it without having symptoms. You may not notice changes in your body unless you have the following symptoms:
- An ache in your upper right abdomen, where your liver is placed
- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen belly
- Unexpected weight loss
- Yellowing of your skin and eyes
What causes MASLD?
You may develop MASLD if you have metabolic dysfunction, and a few conditions that it may lead to are:
Dyslipidemia
It means having high levels of lipids – fatty or waxy substances that your body makes. Cholesterol is an example of a lipid in your blood.
Obesity
Obesity happens when your body mass index is 30 or higher. Those who carry extra weight in their belly have an increased risk of MASLD.
Insulin resistance
Insulin is a hormone that manages blood sugar levels, and its resistance happens when cells in your muscles, fat and liver stop responding to insulin as they should.
Type 2 diabetes
It is a chronic condition that happens when you have high blood sugar.