The liver is an important organ of our body that plays a central role in all its metabolic functions. On the occasion of World Liver Day, Medicircle is conducting an exclusive series with eminent gastroenterologists and hepatologists so that there is more awareness in people regarding liver and its diseases. 

Dr. Shalin Dubey is a Senior Consultant, Department of Laparoscopic, Robotics & Gastrointestinal Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai. He started and established the Department of General & Minimal Access Surgery at Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai. He is also a Robotic Hernia Surgeon and has extensive experience of over 18 years. He has expertise in Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery, Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery, Colo-rectal Cancers, Rectal Prolapse Surgery, Thyroid Surgery, Breast Surgery, and Laser Surgery for Colo-Proctology - Piles, fistulas, and Fissures.

Dr. Dubey emphasizes, “The liver is a very important organ and  if kept properly, it gets regenerated. We hear that people donate liver to their loved ones. If we donate a portion of the liver, after 6 months it grows normally. Liver has a very good capacity for regeneration. It’s the most important organ to keep us healthy and fit,” says Dr, Dubey

Symptoms should not be avoided

Dr. Dubey mentions, “If there is lack of appetite, tendency to vomit on sight of food, swelling in the abdomen, swelling in the nerves of the body, swelling in feet, etc., then one should not ignore it and get an ultrasound done to find out whether there is any problem in the liver or any other part of the body like the kidney. Jaundice, unexplained loss of weight is also the sign of liver ailments. If one identifies these signs early and starts treatment then complications can be curbed,” says Dr. Dubey.

Health Check-ups are highly important

Dr. Dubey advises, routine health check-up and mentions that it is particularly important for the following categories of people to have check-ups to ensure early diagnosis of any liver ailment:

• “If there is a history of liver disease in the family-like if a blood relative has suffered from any liver disease, then health check-up to ascertain healthy liver is must
• If one is prone to alcoholism then one should not only try to bring a stop to the habit of alcoholism but also get tests done as a precautionary measure
• If one leads a very fast lifestyle, then health check-ups are important as a precautionary measure,” says Dr. Dubey.

Change in lifestyle can reverse fatty liver

Dr. Dubey explains, “The Carbohydrates that do not get used in the body get accumulated as fat. If the use of it is further delayed, then it gets deposited in the liver. Fatty liver is a reflection of a bad lifestyle, low physical activity, alcoholism, or long-term use of certain medications without really understanding its side effects. Fatty liver leads to fibrosis and then cirrhosis. If we bring lifestyle changes then the condition of fatty liver can get reversible. If there is diagnosis at the right time, then treatment would be fast.”

Strategies for good health

Dr. Dubey advises, well-cooked food in a clean environment, avoidance of outside food particularly those that are sold in the open, avoidance of saturated fat, avoidance of ready-to-eat meals in order to keep liver healthy. "One should be vigilant towards hepatitis A and E as people are prone to get it through contaminated food and water,” says Dr. Dubey.

(Edited by Amrita Priya)