Experts warned Filipinos to take note of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease during the celebration of International non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) Day held last month. Obese or overweight people could be among the 18 million Filipinos at risk of falling victim to this silent epidemic.
“Fatty liver disease is a little-known, potentially fatal condition affecting many people,” noted Dr. Allan Policarpio, President of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology.
It is called a silent or hidden pandemic because of the nature of the disease at its early stages. People with the condition are not aware because it has no symptoms at its onset. People who are overweight, diabetic or hypertensive are also prone to developing fatty liver. The Philippines has over 18 million obese and overweight people who are all susceptible to the disease and some of them may already have it but are unaware of it.
Fatty liver is also the fastest rising cause of worldwide.
Because NASH symptoms are often not overt, it is often underdiagnosed and underreported. If left unchecked, it can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis and liver transplant.
The non-governmental, non-profit organization Global Liver Institute said that NASH affects more than 115 million people worldwide. An estimated 357 million people will be affected by 2030.
It may be a silent epidemic, but prevention can be achieved by eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats; maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise. For those who have been made of the dangers and risk factors of NASH, that should be a relief and give more reason for us to focus on prevention, rather than waiting for a cure.*
