Hoshiarpur - “About 1.3 million deaths are caused by viral hepatitis worldwide every year. In India, 40 million people are infected with hepatitis B and about 12 million people are infected with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, excessive alcohol consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are the leading causes of liver damage in India."
On the eve of World Liver Day on Thursday, Dr Arunanshu Behra, Director General Surgery, GI Surgeon, HBP and Liver Transplant at IVY Hospital said that about one million new patients of liver cirrhosis are treated every year in India. Once a patient is diagnosed with cirrhosis, the chance of reversing the damage is very low. Dr. Behra said that all types of liver surgeries including liver resection, lobectomy, TACE, RF ablation etc. are available at IVY Hospital, Mohali. Soon IVY Hospital, Mohali is also going to start liver transplant surgery. Consultant Gastroenterology Dr Sumit Kanth said, “There are five main hepatitis viruses, called A, B, C, D and E. B and C in particular cause chronic disease in millions of people worldwide. Over time, the condition can progress to liver fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis A and E are usually caused by consuming contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B, C and D are usually caused by contact with contaminated infected blood and body fluids.
Senior Consultant General and Laparoscopic Surgery Dr Srinath Rathore said that more than 80% of diabetic patients have more fat than healthy. And this can lead to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Coexistence of diabetes and fatty liver is fatal But fatty liver disease can be prevented by making lifestyle changes. Associate consultant GI surgery Dr Divij Jayant said the age of alcoholic liver disease is decreasing in India. And it mostly occurs in the age group of 30 to 40 years While in western countries the average age of this disease is 45 to 55 years.

Lifestyle measures and precautions to prevent liver damage due to viral hepatitis:
1. Make sure to drink clean water
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing and eating food
3. Avoid roadside food, especially fruit juices, milk shakes
4. Barber Shops, Beauty Salons – Razor blades, metal scrapers used to remove blackheads and whiteheads from facial skin can act as a source of infection.
5. Safe sex practices should be followed.
6. Disposable syringes and needles should be used.
7. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by vaccination.