CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal: New Delhi. The liver is an important organ of the body, playing a key role in digesting food, processing nutrients and removing harmful substances from the body. However, many liver-related diseases do not show clear symptoms in the early stages. In such cases, people dealing with obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure should undergo liver tests on a doctor’s advice. According to experts, timely detection of disease can help reduce the risk of serious damage through treatment and lifestyle changes.
Who should get their liver checked? According to Dr Prashant Vilas Bhangui, senior director, liver transplantation department, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis B or C infection can increase the risk of liver disease. In these conditions, there is a possibility of fat accumulation in the liver, inflammation and gradual fibrosis, meaning scarring of liver tissue. People with obesity and type-2 diabetes, in particular, may face an increased risk of fatty liver disease linked to metabolic dysfunction. High blood pressure and abnormal levels of fat in the blood are also important while assessing risk. What liver tests are conducted? To understand the condition of the liver, doctors may advise different tests based on the patient’s age, symptoms, chronic illnesses and other risks.
Liver function test: Liver enzymes and other indicators are checked through a blood sample.
Hepatitis test: Infection with hepatitis B and C is detected as required.
Ultrasound: This helps identify some structural changes, including fat accumulation in the liver.
Fibrosis test: FibroScan or other non-invasive tests can assess scarring in the liver and the stiffness of tissues.
It is important to note that even if liver enzyme reports are normal, liver disease is not completely ruled out. Therefore, the choice of tests should be made on a doctor’s advice. Waiting for symptoms can prove costly, as liver disease can progress in the early stages without clear signs. By the time symptoms such as jaundice, swelling or fluid accumulation in the abdomen and extreme weakness appear, the disease may have become serious. However, these symptoms can also have other causes and no disease can be confirmed on their basis alone.
What should be done to keep the liver healthy? Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet and avoiding alcohol are useful steps for liver health. Keeping diabetes and blood pressure under control is also necessary. People at risk should seek regular medical advice and plan tests accordingly.
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