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Rachel V Thomas

Fatty Liver Disease Driving Fertility Issues In India, Doctors Warn

Growing fatty liver disease in India is significantly affecting both male and female fertility, said doctors ahead of World Liver Day.

World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 to raise global awareness about liver-related diseases, the importance of early detection, and preventive measures. The liver is the second largest organ in the body and a vital "silent worker," often showing no signs of damage until late stages.

With nearly one in three adults is affected by fatty liver, the silent disease is now emerging as an important but often ignored cause behind <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/infertility">infertility</a> in India.

Poor liver health is causing health issues, such as irregular periods in women and falling sperm counts in men, affecting their reproductive health. 

<h2>Rising Liver Disease Cases</h2>

A recent study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology journal showed that the Metabolically Dysfunctional-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affected 1.3 billion people around the globe in 2023.

India has also shown a sharp rise in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/lancet-study-shows-metabolic-liver-disease-to-rise-over-38-by-2050-whats-behind-the-surge-article-154073039" data-type="tilCustomLink">MASLD prevalence,</a> up 23.19 per cent from 1990 to 2023. India’s age-standardized MASLD prevalence rate rose from 10,191 per 100,000 in 1990 to 12,555 per 100,000 in 2023.

The findings show that the spike is increasingly driven by rising metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar and obesity.

The alarming study estimates the numbers to further spike by over 38 percent to reach 1.8 billion cases by 2050, causing substantial health and economic impacts worldwide.

“We are seeing a big increase in fatty liver cases, even in younger people in their late 20s and 30s. Earlier, it was mostly seen in older patients, but now, due to poor lifestyle and diet habits, it is becoming very common in the young population also in India,” said Dr. Saurabh Singhal, Senior Consultant &amp; Director, Centre for Liver-GI Diseases and Transplantation (CLDT) at Aakash Healthcare.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/nafld-to-masld-experts-explain-why-this-common-yet-dangerous-liver-condition-got-renamed-article-154077542" data-type="tilCustomLink">NAFLD to MASLD: Experts Explain Why This Common Yet Dangerous Liver Condition Got Renamed</a>

"Almost every second patient we see has some degree of fatty liver. Many people do not even know they have it because it shows very few symptoms in the early stage. That is why it is called a silent disease,” added Dr Amit Miglani, Director &amp; HOD, Gastroenterology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad. 

In India, around 8 per cent of women face infertility, and doctors are now seeing a strong link between fatty liver and difficulty in conceiving. The problem is more common in women with PCOS.

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Consultant Gynecologist &amp; IVF Specialist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, explains, “In women, fatty liver is closely linked with hormonal imbalance. We are seeing more patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and irregular periods, where fatty liver is also present. This affects ovulation and makes it difficult to conceive.”

The doctors noted fatty liver affects how the body handles insulin and hormones, which are very important for regular periods and pregnancy.

Liver Disease May Affect 1.8 Bn Globally by 2050: Lancet Study #shorts #shortsfeed #liver

Infertility is no longer only a woman’s issue. In India, 30-40 per cent of infertility cases are linked to men, and doctors say cases are rising.

As per the experts, liver problems directly affect hormones like testosterone in men. 

In addition to obesity, fatty liver is leading to low sperm count and poor sperm quality. 

Studies show that sperm count in Indian men has dropped sharply over the last few decades, which is a growing concern. Doctors stated that "liver problems can also increase body stress, which further damages sperm health". 

Expert Says Diabetics Need To Screen For  Liver Fibrosis #shorts #shortsfeed #diabetes

Fortunately, the progression of fatty liver disease can be stopped if people lose weight early in the course of the disease and adopt healthy eating habits and exercise regularly, said Dr. Vikas Jindal, Consultant, Dept of Gastroenterology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi

Further, the doctors stated that although liver disease is becoming a common problem, the worrying part is that people realize it very late. 

<ul><li>a liver health evaluation once a year, especially at-risk people like those with obesity, diabetes, altered liver parameters in blood test, fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis in family members.”</li></ul><ul><li>Liver health and overall metabolic health must also be checked early in fertility treatment.</li></ul><ul><li>Make simple lifestyle changes like healthy food, regular exercise, and weight control.</li></ul>

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Growing fatty liver disease in India is significantly affecting both male and female fertility, said doctors ahead of World Liver Day. World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 to raise global awareness about liver-related diseases, the importance of early detection, and preventive measures. The liver is the second largest organ in the body and a vital "silent worker," often showing no signs of damage until late stages.With nearly one in three adults is affected by fatty liver, the silent disease is now emerging as an important but often ignored cause behind infertility in India. Poor liver health is causing health issues, such as irregular periods in women and falling sperm counts in men, affecting their reproductive health. Rising Liver Disease Cases A recent study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal showed that the Metabolically Dysfunctional-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affected 1.3 billion people around the globe in 2023.India has also shown a sharp rise in MASLD prevalence, up 23.19 per cent from 1990 to 2023. India’s age-standardized MASLD prevalence rate rose from 10,191 per 100,000 in 1990 to 12,555 per 100,000 in 2023. The findings show that the spike is increasingly driven by rising metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar and obesity.The alarming study estimates the numbers to further spike by over 38 percent to reach 1.8 billion cases by 2050, causing substantial health and economic impacts worldwide.“We are seeing a big increase in fatty liver cases, even in younger people in their late 20s and 30s. Earlier, it was mostly seen in older patients, but now, due to poor lifestyle and diet habits, it is becoming very common in the young population also in India,” said Dr. Saurabh Singhal, Senior Consultant & Director, Centre for Liver-GI Diseases and Transplantation (CLDT) at Aakash Healthcare. Also read: NAFLD to MASLD: Experts Explain Why This Common Yet Dangerous Liver Condition Got Renamed"Almost every second patient we see has some degree of fatty liver. Many people do not even know they have it because it shows very few symptoms in the early stage. That is why it is called a silent disease,” added Dr Amit Miglani, Director & HOD, Gastroenterology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad. Impact On Women’s Fertility In India, around 8 per cent of women face infertility, and doctors are now seeing a strong link between fatty liver and difficulty in conceiving. The problem is more common in women with PCOS. Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Consultant Gynecologist & IVF Specialist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, explains, “In women, fatty liver is closely linked with hormonal imbalance. We are seeing more patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and irregular periods, where fatty liver is also present. This affects ovulation and makes it difficult to conceive.” The doctors noted fatty liver affects how the body handles insulin and hormones, which are very important for regular periods and pregnancy.      Impact On Male Fertility Infertility is no longer only a woman’s issue. In India, 30-40 per cent of infertility cases are linked to men, and doctors say cases are rising. As per the experts, liver problems directly affect hormones like testosterone in men. In addition to obesity, fatty liver is leading to low sperm count and poor sperm quality. Studies show that sperm count in Indian men has dropped sharply over the last few decades, which is a growing concern. Doctors stated that "liver problems can also increase body stress, which further damages sperm health".       How To Prevent?Fortunately, the progression of fatty liver disease can be stopped if people lose weight early in the course of the disease and adopt healthy eating habits and exercise regularly, said Dr. Vikas Jindal, Consultant, Dept of Gastroenterology at the CK Birla Hospital, DelhiFurther, the doctors stated that although liver disease is becoming a common problem, the worrying part is that people realize it very late. They recommended:a liver health evaluation once a year, especially at-risk people like those with obesity, diabetes, altered liver parameters in blood test, fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis in family members.”Liver health and overall metabolic health must also be checked early in fertility treatment.Make simple lifestyle changes like healthy food, regular exercise, and weight control.

rising fatty liver diseases in india affecting fertility, doctors warn

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