Liver disease common in UK

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital’s experts addressed the people on lifestyle related diseases and informed the public about the growing burden of liver disease in India, its prevention and treatment.

Commenting upon the procedure of liver transplant Dr Neerav Goyal, Sr. Consultant– Liver Transplant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said, “Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LDLT) is a complex surgical procedure, which involves simultaneous major surgery on two individuals’, a living donor and recipient. This procedure should be undertaken only if the benefits far exceed the risks involved. LDLT is a lifesaving procedure for patients suffering from end-stage liver disease from chronic Hepatitis B and C, ethanol abuse, Autoimmune Hepatitis and other causes. For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, it provides a curative surgery to more than 70% of patients, who are within certain criteria. For patients with acute liver failure, LDLT provides a lifesaving surgery, a patient who certainly wouldn’t survive without a transplant. In children born with congenital liver defects – e.g. – biliary atresia, Wilson’s Disease, Crigler Najjar syndrome etc., LDLT gives an opportunity for a long and productive life.”

Dr Goyal highlighted, “In Uttarakhand, liver disease patients are commonly diagnosed with Hepatitis C, which is caused by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). High prevalence of this virus in the state can be attributed to risk factors like unsafe medical practices, such as reusing injection needles for intravenous drug use. Even unsterile tattoo equipment can spread HCV from one person to another.”

Taking the discussion forward, Dr Praveen Kumar Garg, Senior Consultant- Surgical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals spoke on conditions ranging from Head & Neck, Breast and Gynae Cancer. The doctors also spoke about symptoms and prevention associated with these lifestyle disorders amongst the local people and chronic conditions caused due to them.