Three out of every four Kashmiris may have fatty liver. Why is this?

Three out of every four Kashmiris may have fatty liver. Why is this?

How to Understand the Scary Rise of Fatty Liver Disease in Kashmir
Fatty liver disease has become a quiet but dangerous health problem in India over the past few years. It’s scary to think that one in three people in the beautiful valley of Kashmir may be quietly dealing with this problem. This shocking number needs immediate attention and a profound look into what’s causing it.

HEPATOSIS, which is another name for fatty liver, is when fat builds up in liver cells. At first, it might seem like a mild disease, but if you don’t treat it, it can get worse and cause non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.

Could you please explain what fatty liver is and why it is a concern?
Fatty liver disease can be roughly broken down into

Drinking too much alcohol can cause Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD).

Alcohol consumption does not cause Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which is frequently associated with lifestyle choices.

The real danger in Kashmir is the fast spread of NAFLD, especially among people who don’t drink. This makes it a secret epidemic.

Kashmir has a huge problem with fatty livers. The statistics are undeniable.
New tests done in hospitals and health studies in Kashmir’s different regions show that between 30 and 35 percent of the people there have signs of fatty liver disease. Among these:

A big chunk of them are younger than 40 years old.

Not just in cities, but also in rural places, the number of cases is going up.

There are many affected people who don’t have any symptoms, which delays identification.

What is causing the rise in fatty liver in Kashmir?
1. A lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle
Physical exercise has dropped sharply as people move to cities and stop doing traditional jobs. More people now work from home or spend long hours in front of computers, which makes them burn fewer calories and store fat in their livers.

2. Changes in diet and bad eating habits
Over time, Kashmiri food, which is known for having many rich flavors, has become higher in calories and fat. Important additions are

I am overindulging in meat, particularly Rogan Josh and Yakhni.

Eat a lot of red meat and heavy fats.

People are consuming more processed sweets, carbonated drinks, and deep-fried snacks.

There is a direct link between this food imbalance and liver health.

3. More people are becoming overweight and getting Type 2 diabetes
A major risk factor for NAFLD is being overweight. There is a strong link between having fat in the stomach and having a bigger waist. In Kashmir, this disease is getting worse because more adults and kids are becoming overweight. Furthermore, the number of people with type 2 diabetes is slowly rising, which raises the risk of liver damage even more.

4. Genetic and racial or ethnic factors
New research indicates that people from some ethnic groups, like South Asians, may be genetically more likely to have insulin resistance and NAFLD. This makes it more difficult to control the disease in the Kashmiri people.

5. Not knowing about it and not screening early
Many people who have fatty liver don’t even know it. Many cases of early-stage fatty liver remain undiagnosed until significant damage has occurred. In Kashmir, basic healthcare facilities don’t usually do routine ultrasounds and tests to see how well the liver is working.

Things to Look Out For in Cases That Don’t Speak
In the early stages, fatty liver often doesn’t show any symptoms. However, people may eventually:

Weakness

Pain in the upper right abdomen

Weight gain for no reason

High levels of liver enzymes in blood tests

Unfortunately, these symptoms might not appear until the liver has already suffered significant damage.

Problems that can happen if you don’t treat fatty liver
Failure to treat fatty liver disease can lead to the following complications:

Liver fibrosis is when scar tissue grows in place of healthy liver tissue.

Cirrhosis causes permanent liver damage.

Not working liver

Cancer of the liver

Cardiovascular disease is now known to be the main reason people with NAFLD die.

What Should Be Done? Strategies for prevention and control
1. Health education for the public
It’s important to teach people about the risks of having a fatty liver. Public health policy should put a lot of emphasis on campaigns that encourage healthy food, regular exercise, and regular screenings.

2. Changes to the diet
It’s important to encourage a healthy diet.

Eat more vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.

Cut down on sugary drinks, processed carbs, and saturated fats.

Encourage people to watch their portions and eat slowly.

3. Living an active life
For now, physical exercise is still the best non-drug treatment. Moderate exercise, like walking, yoga, or riding for at least 30 minutes a day, can greatly reduce the buildup of fat in the liver.

4. Care for medical issues
Even though there isn’t a specific drug allowed to treat fatty liver, doctors usually suggest

Programs to lose weight

Take care of diabetes

Therapies that lower lipids

Regular testing and images of the liver to keep an eye on it

What role do health care providers play in Kashmir?
In Kashmir, doctors and other health care workers need to take the lead by

We are adding tests for fatty liver to regular health check-ups.

advising patients on how to change their habits.

making plans for each patient by working together with nutritionists and exercise experts.

How to Move Forward: Making Kashmir Liver-Healthy
The rise in fatty liver disease in Kashmir is not only a health problem but also a problem for society as a whole. Healthcare systems, local governments, schools, families, and people themselves must all work together to fight it. We need to recognize fatty liver disease as a major health problem and take strong steps to stop this trend.