Health hub: Heed the warning early

Rise in the cases of early onset of fatty liver disease is being traced to chronic alcoholism.

The State’s dubious distinction of ranking high in alcohol consumption is manifest in the large number of liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer.

While hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus infections have been significant causes for liver failure or cancer in the past, a rise in the cases of early onset of fatty liver disease, which could lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, is being traced to chronic alcoholism.

HBV impact

The HBV impact has been brought down over the years after the vaccine hit the market.

But, chronic alcoholism remains a concern.

“Fatty liver disease (FLD) marks the onset of the problem.

It is reversible with timely detection and lifestyle modification. But the warning sign has to be read well,” says oncologist Narayanankutty Warrier.

Genetic factor does play a role in FLD, but a major chunk of the cases is self-inflicted. And, these are cases wherein the alarm bell had been ignored.

“Out of 100 fatty liver disease cases we would see a day, only one or two would have had genetic predisposition to the problem. Majority of the cases can be attributed to alcoholism,” the oncologist explains.

Unhealthy food In Kerala, studies have shown alarmingly high level of alcohol consumption, with the accompanying tendency to binge on unhealthy food.

This is a perfect recipe for fatty liver disease. Not all cases of FLD inevitably worsen into cirrhosis and cancer. But, most proven liver cancer cases have been traced to alcoholism and related habits, Dr. Warrier says.

Age threshold The age threshold for onset of fatty liver disease has come down from 55 to 45, owing to avoidable lifestyle among the younger generation, according to Dr. Warrier.

Gastroenterologist V.G. Mohan Prasad explains that the ethanol in hard liquor strains the liver, forcing it to work much beyond its capacity.

Only 10 per cent of the liquor is digested in the stomach, the rest of the burden is passed on to the liver. This is why binge drinking everyday leads to liver disease.

Alcohol is genotoxic. It triggers the formation of abnormal cells in the liver that can lead to cancer. Ethanol depletes hepatic (liver) glutathione, an anti-oxidant that prevents damage to cellular structures.

This is the impact of chronic alcoholism on the liver.