Almost 30% of the people in India and the Middle East are suffering from Fatty Liver. Alcohol consumption is one of the biggest reason for people having fatty liver. Fatty Liver is now found in children also because of the fast food. Lack of regular exercise is also one of the main reason for fatty liver.

A visit to any diagnostic centre will tell you that out of every 10 people undergoing ultrasound of the abdomen 3 people would have fatty liver grade 1 or 2. Even women are now found to have fatty liver. This may lead to liver cirrhosis and the cost of Liver Transplant which is in excess of 35 Lacs is not within the means of most of the people.

The liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly. Weighing about 1.2 kg, the liver is reddish-brown in color and feels rubbery to the touch. Normally you can't feel the liver, because it's protected by the rib cage.

A liver has two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food. The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions.

Hepatitis - Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses like hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis can have non-infectious causes too, including heavy drinking, drugs, allergic reactions, or obesity. Dr Mayank Chugh is gastroenterologist at Asiaz Hospital in Gurgaon who has vast experience of treating patients with fatty liver and other liver disease through medical management as well as life style modification.

Cirrhosis - Long-term damage to the liver from any cause can lead to permanent scarring, called cirrhosis. The liver then becomes unable to function well.

Liver cancer - The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, almost always occurs after cirrhosis is present.

Liver failure - Liver failure has many causes including infection, genetic diseases, and excessive alcohol.

Ascites - As cirrhosis results, the liver leaks fluid (ascites) into the belly, which becomes distended and heavy

Gallstones - If a gallstone gets stuck in the bile duct draining the liver, hepatitis and bile duct infection (cholangitis) can result.

Hemochromatosis - Hemochromatosis allows iron to deposit in the liver, damaging it. The iron also deposits throughout the body, causing multiple other health problems.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis - A rare disease with unknown causes, primary sclerosing cholangitis causes inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts in the liver.

Primary biliary cirrhosis - In this rare disorder, an unclear process slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. Permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis) eventually develops which requires Liver Transplant Surgery

The Medical Management of Fatty Liver and other Liver Diseases done by our gastroenterologist Dr Mayank Chugh at Gastro and Liver Clinic at Asiaz Hospital in Gurgaon is not very expensive and you can expect to get all the tests like CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound, FNAC and Biopsy if required within few thousands. The medicines are also not very expensive as the main line of treatment is proper diet and regular exercise. Abstaining from Alcohol is an absolute must and so is the avoidance of fatty and oily foods.

However if Liver Transplant Surgery is required then the patient has to bring in a blood relative for Liver Donation. The cost of Liver Transplant Surgery would be approximately INR 24-25 Lacs with a hospital stay of around one month for the patient and around 7 days for the donor.

Liver Transplant is a very high risk surgery and the costs could escalate if there are any complications resulting in overstay of the patient or the donor. Some special costly medicines have to be used sometimes to prevent the rejection of the liver.