Ahead of World Hepatitis Day, a leading gastroenterologist Dr Kunal Das said on Tuesday that chronic hepatitis affects around 170 million Indians or approximately 15 per cent of the Indian population of 130 crore. Talking on the subject, Das said the liver is the second-largest organ of the body and weighs around 1.5 kg. It is referred to as the laboratory and factory of the body as it has many enzymes that are vital for the functioning of the body.
“The most common causes of chronic hepatitis are Viral Hepatitis – Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, Alcoholic Hepatitis and Fatty liver also known as Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Viral hepatitis is a big health problem in India as approximately 40 million are infected with Hepatitis B and 6-12 million with Hepatitis C,” said Dr Das, who is Head of Department, Gastro and Liver Department, Yashoda Hospital, in Ghaziabad.
Dr Das said it is estimated that 16-32 per cent of general population in India (nearly 120 million) has Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and among them nearly 31 per cent are diagnosed with NASH. The most common causes of fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH) are diabetes, hypothyroid and hyperlipidemia. He further mentioned the complications of chronic hepatitis include water in the belly, vomiting of blood, hepatic coma, liver cancer, jaundice due to liver failure etc. Elaborating further Dr Das said the best strategy against Chronic Hepatitis is to “nip the devil in the bud” by prevention. “Hepatitis B can be simply prevented by vaccination (3 doses). Currently Hepatitis B vaccination is a part of Universal Child Immunization programme by the Government.
The WHO recommends that Hepatitis B can be given to anybody and anytime to the unvaccinated. NAFLD/NASH can be prevented by promotion of proper lifestyle changes including diet and exercise programmes. We should strive for a Hepatitis Free World by 2030 and it is achievable,” he said talking to The Pioneer.