December 2022

Life of a person living with Cirrhosis

Life of a person living with Cirrhosis

XYZ is a middle-aged man who has been living with decompensated cirrhosis for over 6 years. The cirrhosis was caused by his years of heavy drinking though he stopped drinking when he was first diagnosed. Unfortunately, the damage to his liver had already been done and his health had been declining ever since.   His daily life changed drastically after his diagnosis. He felt very weak and tired most of the time due to the decreased function of his liver, which made it hard for him to perform physical tasks, even the basic chores around the house. He frequently visited the hospital due to complications arising from the disease such as bleeding from varices in his oesophagus, ascites, and malnutrition due to poor absorption of nutrients from food.   The financial burden that he faced because of decompensated cirrhosis was overwhelming at times and medical bills piled on quickly. His insurance did not cover all the treatments and medications required to manage the condition so he often had to bear the expenses himself which put a large strain on his family’s finances. Moreover, XYZ’s inability to work full-time meant that they missed the potential income that could have gone towards paying for these treatments as well as other necessary costs related to maintaining a household such as groceries and utility bills.   Unfortunately, he succumbed due to a lack of a liver transplant. Overall, living with decompensated cirrhosis not only presented him with many obstacles both physically and financially but lead to his untimely death. Therefore, crucial lessons to be learnt to avoid such unfortunate turn of events: First avoid alcohol if possible, since prevention is better than a cure. Second, in the case of the onset of liver disease, early detection and possible management strategies are key. This could reduce the physical, emotional, social and financial toll such diseases impose on our society. Third, should the condition continue to progress in severity, a liver transplant should be considered to save lives.

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Treatment of Fatty liver

In India, the primary goal of treatment for fatty liver disease is to reduce fat accumulation and improve metabolic health. This can be achieved through lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, diet changes and increasing physical activity levels. To reduce fat accumulation in the liver, doctors may recommend reducing calorie intake and making dietary changes based on individual needs. It is important to adopt a healthy eating plan that emphasizes the total amount of fats eaten rather than focusing solely on saturated or trans fats (which should be minimized). A doctor may also recommend avoiding fried foods and processed carbohydrates such as white bread, sugary drinks or white rice. In addition to dietary modifications, increasing physical activity levels can be beneficial for individuals with fatty liver disease. Regular exercise can improve overall health by reducing body fat, improving insulin sensitivity and helping maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity should include both aerobic exercise (such as walking or jogging) as well as resistance exercises (such as lifting weights) for at least 30 minutes per day most days of the week based on individual ability level. Severe cases of fatty liver disease may require medication such as statins or other cholesterol-lowering drugs to help reduce fat buildup in the liver cells. However, it is important that these medications are prescribed by a physician after careful consideration of each patient’s medical history and current condition before any decisions are made about taking them long term. Overall, treatment for fatty liver disease involves adopting lifestyle changes including healthy eating habits combined with regular physical activity along with careful monitoring by your doctor who will decide if or when medication/procedures are necessary depending on each individual’s unique needs and situation

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Prevention of fatty liver

Prevention of fatty liver

Fatty liver, also known as steatosis hepatitis, is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. It can lead to more serious conditions like inflammation and cirrhosis if left untreated. The best way to prevent fatty liver is to make lifestyle changes that reduce your risk factors for developing it. First, you should eat a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats and high in fibre, fruits, and vegetables. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, red meat, fried foods, and other foods high in calories or unhealthy fats. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce fat build-up in the body. Second, exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day or 150 minutes per week; this will help you maintain a healthy weight while improving overall health markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additionally, regular physical activity can help reduce stress levels which may contribute to fatty liver disease progression by increasing inflammation levels within the body. Thirdly abstain from alcohol consumption if possible as alcohol use has been linked with an accumulation of fat within the liver cells which could potentially lead to steatosis hepatitis (fatty liver). If you do choose to drink alcohol then limit your intake since heavy drinking over prolonged periods of time is associated with increased risk factors for developing the fatty liver disease (FLD). Finally, if you are obese or overweight then try to work towards reducing your body weight through dieting and exercise. This will not only improve overall health markers but also reduce abdominal fat which has been found to increase risk factors associated with FLD such as insulin resistance, inflammation, etc. Furthermore talk with your doctor about any medications that could be potentially damaging particularly that related to diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. since these have been linked with fatty liver disease progression.

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Lean fatty liver disease & lean NASH

Lean fatty liver disease (LFLD) is a condition in which the fat content of the liver exceeds 5% but is not high enough to be classified as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is also known as hepatic steatosis or fatty infiltration of the liver. LFLD is a common condition, affecting up to 30% of adults in the United States. The cause of LFLD is not completely understood, but it may be associated with genetic factors and lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, and alcohol consumption. It can also occur in people with normal body weight who have eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Although LFLD can lead to complications such as cirrhosis and even death if left untreated, most people who have it experience no symptoms at all. However, some people may experience fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, or loss of appetite. In cases where there are symptoms present they may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or swelling around the abdomen due to fluid build-up from cirrhosis or portal hypertension (high blood pressure within a portal vein). For those with LFLD that do not progress into NASH there are several lifestyle changes that may help reverse the damage done by fatty infiltration including maintaining healthy body weight through proper nutrition and physical activity; avoiding excessive alcohol consumption; quitting smoking; following a balanced diet with low in processed foods; getting regular exercise; managing stress levels; reducing sugar intake, and avoiding certain medications that may make inflammation worse like steroids and tamoxifen. On the other hand, lean NASH occurs when a person has milder degrees of fat accumulation in their livers yet still shows signs of active inflammation. While this condition does not always produce visible symptoms it can worsen over time if left untreated eventually resulting in cirrhosis scarring fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). Treatment for lean NASH includes lifestyle changes such as diet modification exercise regular monitoring by healthcare professionals medications statins vitamin E supplements beta blockers etc., depending on severity level individual risk factors age comorbidities, etc.

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Myths about fatty liver

A fatty liver is a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver. Fatty liver disease can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. Despite the fact that fatty liver disease is common and can be of serious medical concern, there are many myths associated with it.   1. You must drink alcohol to develop a fatty liver- This is false; while excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most frequent causes of fatty liver disease, unhealthy diets and obesity can also cause it. In fact, some studies estimate that up to 20 percent of people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have no history of drinking at all.   2. A diet high in fat will cause a fatty liver- Not necessarily; an unhealthy diet full of processed foods and simple carbohydrates may contribute to the development of a fatty liver just as much as an unhealthy diet full of fats does. It’s important to note that there are different types of dietary fats – saturated vs unsaturated – and those should be taken into consideration when evaluating your diet for its potential contribution to developing a fatty liver.   3 . Weight loss isn’t necessary for treating nonalcoholic fatty Liver Disease- While weight loss alone may not cure nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), it can improve symptoms significantly — as well as reduce risk factors such as elevated cholesterol levels or insulin resistance that are linked to NAFLD/NASH progression — so healthy lifestyle changes including exercise and a balanced diet are encouraged for those who suffer from this condition. Additionally, medications may also help treat NASH when lifestyle changes don’t produce enough results on their own or if underlying conditions like diabetes cannot be managed through lifestyle alone.   4 You cannot reverse or cure NFALD/NASH- Reversing NAFLD/NASH entirely might not be possible but significant improvements can be made by following healthy lifestyle choices such as following an appropriate exercise program combined with dietary modifications recommended by your doctor; these efforts often result in improved outcomes like better energy levels and enhanced quality life overall

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FibroScan

FibroScan is a non-invasive technology used to assess liver fibrosis. It works by sending harmless sound waves through the liver, which measure the speed of their passage and indicate the density of liver tissue. This information can be used to assess how much scarring (fibrosis) has already occurred in the organ. FibroScan is most commonly used in chronic diseases such as hepatitis C, alcoholic cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). FibroScan results are expressed as a “liver stiffness” measurement between 2-75 kilopascals (kPa), with values greater than 12 kPa indicating increasing degrees of fibrosis or cirrhosis. The test requires no preparation and takes just 5 minutes to perform. It is painless and highly accurate in assessing very mild forms of fibrosis that may not be detected by other imaging technologies such as CT or MRI scans. FibroScan is currently the preferred tool for monitoring changes in fibrosis levels over time, making it an invaluable tool for clinicians who are treating patients with chronic liver diseases . In addition, it can provide early detection of potentially serious conditions like NAFLD before they become more advanced – allowing patients to start treatment earlier and potentially improve their outcome over time.

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Diagnosis of fatty liver disease in India

In order to diagnose fatty liver disease in India, a physician will first take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. This may include blood tests to check for elevated liver enzymes, which are usually seen with fatty liver disease. The doctor may also order imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate the structure and size of the liver. He can also ask a Fibro Scan to assess the extent of liver fibrosis (scarring). A biopsy may be ordered if the physician suspects that the cause of fatty liver is not related to lifestyle factors.   Depending on the patient’s risk factors, the doctor may recommend further testing such as lip,id profile, glucose panel and kidney function tests. If any signs suggest cirrhosis (or scarring) of the liver from long-term damage caused by alcohol abuse or other factors, further imaging or endoscopy will likely be ordered.

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Symptoms of fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver cells, causing inflammation and often leading to cirrhosis. Symptoms of fatty liver disease include fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Some people may also experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin), itching, or dark urine. Additionally, those with fatty liver disease may experience weight gain or unexplained weight loss because of their condition. In some cases, complications such as abdominal swelling or fluid collection in the abdomen may occur due to an enlarged liver caused by fatty liver disease.

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Fatty liver scenario in India

Fatty liver is a growing problem in India, and it affects millions of people across the country. It occurs when too much fat accumulates in the liver. This can lead to serious health problems such as inflammation, cirrhosis, and even liver failure or cancer. In India, fatty liver is often caused by unhealthy lifestyles including poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption. It can also be caused by obesity or diabetes, both of which are on the rise in India due to a lack of physical activity and rising rates of sedentary lifestyles. Other factors that contribute to the fatty liver include high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood as well as iron overload from hereditary hemochromatosis (a disorder where too much iron buildup occurs). Other medical conditions such as hepatitis C virus infection, pregnancy-related issues like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, metabolic syndrome (a combination of obesity and related health issues), and HIV infection can also increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease. The first step to preventing fatty liver disease is making healthy lifestyle changes including eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; limiting saturated fat; avoiding processed foods; limiting alcohol intake; increasing physical activity; managing stress levels; maintaining a healthy weight; quitting smoking if applicable; taking medications prescribed by your doctor if necessary; getting regular checkups with your doctor or healthcare provider at least once a year, and having regular screenings

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Christmas blog

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration! It’s a time for giving, sharing, and reflecting on the blessings in our lives. This holiday season, we are reminded of the importance of family, friends, and spreading kindness throughout our communities. From buying gifts to baking cookies to decorating the Christmas tree – it’s all part of making this season as special as possible. Whether you attend church or not, Christmas is an opportunity to come together with loved ones and show appreciation for one another. Let’s take advantage of this time together by celebrating each other’s successes and achievements over this past year. This Christmas season also serves as an important reminder that no matter what hardships we may face in life – whether financial or personal – there is always something to be thankful for. Let us take a moment to give thanks for all that we have been blessed with: our health, homes, families and friends who care about us unconditionally. It truly is an incredible feeling when you get together with your family on Christmas morning! From opening presents under the tree while sipping hot chocolate to playing board games around the living room – these moments will stick with us forever! So let’s make sure that every second counts this holiday season by spending quality time with those nearest and dearest to us. Merry Christmas everyone – here’s wishing you all a happy new year full of good health & peace!

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