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Avoid alcohol if you are suffering from NAFLD. © Shutterstock
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Myths around liver diseases are also very rampant in pour country. We ask a renowned gastroenterologist, Dr Purushottam Vashistha from Nanavati Super Speciality hospital to bust 5 common myths about liver diseases.
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#1: Liver cirrhosis is only caused by alcohol. Fact: This is false! 'Alcohol is one of the reason for cirrhosis but not necessarily the only one. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are most common silent infections of cirrhosis in India, said Dr Vashistha.
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#2: Regular routine blood test can detect liver diseases. Fact: This is false too. Liver diseases are silent, asymptomatic. Blood tests pick up the disease only in the later stage of disease. That is why it is always recommended to go for regular check-ups to detect other fluctuations like cholesterol as well as vaccine yourself for Viral hepatitis.
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#3: Liver disease are manifest with only jaundice. Fact: Jaundice is one of the symptom of liver disease and it is not a early symptom. Early symptoms are fatigue, loss of appetite, persistent vomiting, said Dr Vashistha.
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#4: Fatty liver is a common issue with all people and it does not need any treatment or attention. Fact: Fatty liver disease is next most common cause of liver disease after viral infection and alcohol. It also causes cirrhosis and liver cancer. It should not be taken lightly and needs urgent attention to be evaluated thoroughly. Treatment depends on cause and stage of liver disease.
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#5: Herbal medicines and other local or traditional medicines are safer than allopathic medicines. Fact: All herbal medicines or other unknown agents cause more damage than any benefits. Some allopathic medicines also damage the liver . So a person who has liver disease should not take any medicine without informing their gastroenterologist, he added.
