World Liver Day is annually observed across the globe on April 19 to raise awareness about the importance of liver health and educate people on how to maintain a healthy liver. The day provides an opportunity to educate people about the risk factors for liver diseases, such as alcohol consumption, obesity, viral hepatitis, and certain medications.
- World Liver Day 2023 was observed on 19th April 2023 under the theme “Be Vigilant, Do Regular Liver Check-Up, Fatty Liver Can Affect Anyone”.
Liver:
i. The liver is the 2nd largest and the most complex organ in the body, after the brain.
ii. It performs a variety of crucial functions relating to metabolism, immunity, digestion, and the storage of nutrients inside the body. The liver has a unique ability to regenerate itself.
Liver Disease:
i. There are many kinds of liver diseases and conditions. Some, like hepatitis, are caused by viruses. Others can be the result of drugs or drinking too much alcohol.
ii. Long-lasting injury or scar tissue in the liver can cause cirrhosis. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, can be one sign of liver disease.
iii. The most common types of liver diseases are Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Cirrhosis, and Alcoholic hepatitis,
iv. Causes: Heavy alcohol use, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Tattoos or body piercings, and Injecting drugs using shared needles are some of the causes which would affect the liver.
Note: WHO annually observes 28th July as World Hepatitis Day to mark the birthday of Nobel-prize-winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
Facts:
i. Globally about 20 lakh people die annually due to liver diseases, of which cirrhosis-related causes account for merely half, and the rest are caused by viral hepatitis and hepatocellular (liver) cancer.
ii. Cirrhosis is currently the 11th largest cause and liver cancer is the 16th major (globally) and 10th (In India) cause of death.
Note:
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), liver ailments amount to the 10th most common reason for death in India.
- The most common causes of liver-related deaths in India are Alcohol, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)/cryptogenic cirrhosis.
