What is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver means the deposition of fat in the liver. It is primarily caused by obesity, diabetes, and increased cholesterol. Other common causes of fatty liver are alcohol, steroids, few other drugs etc. However, the burning issue currently is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Why should a person suffer if he does not drink? He may suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or what we usually call fatty liver. Interestingly, fatty liver can be seen in lean people as well. Hence, it is important to be cautious and pro-active for early detection and optimal treatment.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) is presently the most prevalent cause of liver disease in the world. Prevalence of the disease is estimated to be around 9-32% in the Indian population, with a higher incidence rate amongst obese and diabetic patients. With India being the diabetic capital of the world, the prevalence is likely to increase further in years to come.

In view of these developments, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan recently announced the inclusion of “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” into the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), a move that will help manage the country’s burden of non-communicable diseases.