Close ILTakeCare Suggestion
IL TakeCare app – For all your insurance & wellness needs

Policy purchase, claims, renewal & more

 

Liver Diseases on the Rise: 5 Essential Prevention Tips

This blog addresses the concerning rise of liver diseases and offers five crucial prevention tips. By understanding the risk factors and making simple lifestyle changes, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their liver health.

  • 24 Mar 2016
  • 3 min read
  • 164 views

Healthy lifestyle changes for a healthy liver

 

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report 2014, 2,16,865 or 2.44% of the total deaths in India were associated with liver diseases. Health experts and media sources say that India could become the world capital of liver diseases by 2025, owing to the rising sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking and alcohol intake.

 

The common diseases affecting the liver include fatty liver, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Recently, non-alcoholic liver diseases have been on the rise and are considered a silent killer. If left untreated, the inflammation and damage can result in liver cancer.

 

Approximately 90% patients don’t realise that they have liver disease until it is too late, say medical practitioners. Out of the two lakh plus patients dying from liver disease, at least 25,000 can be saved through liver transplants. However, only 2000 liver transplants are performed annually in India, as per 2014 reports from Fortis Hospital.

 

The positive side is that with certain precautions, liver disease is one of the few diseases that can be prevented or its possibility of occurrence reduced. With the startling numbers and the potential of one in every five Indians being susceptible to the disease, it is best to adopt the following five lifestyle changes:

 

Exercise

An obese body is home to various diseases, in addition to liver ailments. Obesity is also the most common cause of fatty liver disease. Introduce exercise in your daily routine, and incorporate healthy eating and sleeping habits into your lifestyle to evade fatty liver.

 

Abstain from Alcohol Consumption

Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to liver cirrhosis, which can be fatal. Say no to a bottle of alcohol today rather than be at the mercy of saline and blood bottles in future.

Also read:

Get Vaccinated

The inflammation of the liver is known as hepatitis. Fortunately, vaccines are available to protect individuals from this deadly condition. Newborn babies are advised hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Adults can get vaccinated too; these vaccines are usually given 3-4 times over a period of 6 months.

 

Be Cautious

Inadequately sterilised or reused syringes can expose your body to the risk of Hepatitis B and C, which can turn out to be fatal liver diseases. Therefore, restrict injections, body piercings, tattoos, etc. to reputed and authorised centres.

 

Don't Be the Doctor

Technology has advanced to an extent that we no longer feel the need to be dependent on anybody. Quite often, we address our medical issues with the findings on the Internet and over-the-counter drugs. Instead of doing any good, it may contradictorily prove to be harmful and potentially risky, especially in cases of sensitive organs such as the liver. While you may read generic tips online, each one’s need, symptoms and condition differ and require specific treatment and care.

 

ICICI Lombard's health insurance policy includes a wellness programs that encourages healthy habits in policyholders. Your healthy behaviour will entitle you to wellness points under this cover, which can be redeemed later. Now, take a step towards a healthy liver!

  • Looking for tailored advice?

    Schedule a call with our insurance advisors

  • OR
  • Call us:

    1800 2666
Please enter valid name
Please enter a valid mobile number
Please select the Category

Subscribe to our newsletter

Understand insurance better by reading our helpful guides, articles, blogs and other information.

Please enter valid name
Please enter valid Email

Error message here