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What is the news?
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched operational guidelines for integration of NAFLD(Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) under NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke).
About NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke):
- Launched in: It was launched in 2010. It aims to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases(NCDs).
- Implemented under: National Health Mission(NHM).
- Objectives: The objectives of the programme include awareness generation for the prevention of NCDs. Some important constituents of this program are screening, early detection, management and referral to an appropriate level health facility.
About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(NAFLD):
- It is a term for abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver despite the absence of harmful alcohol use, viral hepatitis or medications.
- Prevalence of NAFLD in India: As per studies, the prevalence of NAFLD is around 9% to 32% of the general population in India. There is a higher prevalence among overweight or obesity and those with diabetes or prediabetes.
Stages of NAFLD: The main stages of NAFLD are:
- Simple Fatty Liver Disease – It is a largely harmless build-up of fat in the liver cells. It may only be diagnosed during tests carried out for another reason.
- Non-Alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) – Mere deposition of fat in the liver is termed steatosis. It is characterized by inflammation of the liver.
- Fibrosis – It is where persistent inflammation causes scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels. But the liver still able to function normally.
- Cirrhosis – It is the most severe stage after years of inflammation. At this stage, the liver shrinks and becomes scarred and lumpy. This damage is permanent and can lead to liver failure (where your liver stops working properly) and liver cancer.
Is NAFLD Curable?
- Once the disease develops, there is no specific cure available, and health promotion and prevention aspects targeting weight reduction, healthy lifestyle can prevent the mortality and morbidity due to NAFLD.
Source: PIB
