PANAJI: Fatty liver disease is emerging as a silent epidemic in India, said Dr Prashant Bhangui at a talk organised by the Goa Cancer Society. He said nearly 82 per cent of IT professionals may be affected, with around 42 crore people nationwide suffering from the condition. Obesity, diabetes and alcohol use are key causes. Dr Bhangui, Associate Director at Medanta, Gurugram, stressed that fatty liver can be reversed through regular exercise and a balanced diet. He advised avoiding fast food and fried items, and said daily walking or jogging can help. He warned that alcohol remains a major trigger, recalling cases of young patients developing cirrhosis due to excessive drinking. He added that while cirrhosis was earlier linked mainly to alcohol, hepatitis B and C are now significant causes, though cases have declined with better treatment. He said liver transplants offer improved survival and called for greater awareness on organ donation.
