category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU chandigarh Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease both worldwide and in India. Globally around 25-30 per cent of all individuals have underlying NAFLD. In India, the burden is even more alarming and in Chandigarh it is estimated that almost 1 in 2 persons might be having underlying NAFLD, said Dr Arka De, Assistant Professor, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh. NAFLD refers to the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of other causes of liver diseases including significant alcohol intake. In a quarter of patients, this fat in the liver can cause inflammation (swelling) and scarring (fibrosis)of the liver and the severe form of fatty liver called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer in the long run. It is extremely important to create awareness of NAFLD which may be considered to be a silent killer as it often remains asymptomatic in the early stages. NAFLD is primarily a lifestyle disease with insulin resistance being a central driver. At the most basic level NAFLD may be considered a state of energy excess where the dietary calorie intake exceeds the calories that are burnt out during physical exertion resulting in fat accumulation in the liver. Given the central role of insulin resistance, it is not surprising that NAFLD is closely associated with other chronic metabolic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. On the one hand, patients with obesity and diabetes are more likely to have NAFLD, while on the other hand patients with NAFLD are more likely to be diabetic or obese. More importantly, NAFLD in patients with metabolic co-morbidities like obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus or hypertension have a higher risk of developing severe liver disease, said Dr De. Given the fact that NAFLD is primarily a lifestyle disease, lifestyle interventions are the mainstay for both the prevention and management of NAFLD. This entails both dietary calorie restriction and exercise which should go hand in hand. Indeed, pharmacotherapy for NAFLD has a limited role in only a selected group of patients. It is also important to emphasize that the management of NAFLD should be holistic and other metabolic disorders including diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia should be adequately controlled. Indeed, a healthy lifestyle will help prevent and manage not just NAFLD but also these chronic disorders thereby targeting multiple birds with a single stone said Dr De. It is clear that creating awareness among the general public about NAFLD, its risk factors and the importance of lifestyle management is crucial to tackle this emerging pandemic. International NASH day was initiated in 2018 by Global Liver Institute (GLI), USA to create awareness about this emerging disease entity. This year it will be observed on8th June 2023 (Thursday) and various education programs will be conducted by the Dept of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh stretching through the whole month in order to make people aware about this potentially preventable and reversible disease, said Dr Ajay Duseja, Professor and Head, Department of Hepatology, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Dr Duseja informed that INASL has initiated two important programs for the prevention and control of NAFLD in India. (editor dailyworld.in)