The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Alcoholic liver disease common among constables

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Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Alcoholic liver disease common among constables

Staff Reporter

Cirrhosis is the final phase and poor nutrition may worsen it: expert

Bangalore: A large section of civic workers from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is found to be commonly affected by alcoholic liver disease caused by alcohol abuse.

The disease, which damages the liver and its functioning, usually occurs after years of excessive drinking.

A majority of the 10 patients (who report liver problems) gastroenterologists see on a daily basis in the State-run Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital are either pourakarmikas or sanitary workers or police constables.

Alcohol abuse

Doctors are worried over the increasing alcohol abuse, especially in the age group of 15 to 60 years.

A recent population-based study by doctors at NIMHANS here states that 32 per cent of the 28,507 individuals surveyed were alcohol abusers in the age group of 15 to 60.

Parvarish Kumar Jain, gastroenterologist at Bowring Hospital, told The Hindu on Monday that alcoholic liver disease was the most common liver disease reported at the hospital. “We also get patients with hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C that are the other liver diseases,” he said.

Alcohol may cause swelling and inflammation (hepatitis) in the liver. Over time, this can lead to scarring and then cirrhosis. “Cirrhosis is the final phase of alcoholic liver disease. Poor nutrition may make the disease worse,” Dr. Jain said.

Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease and usually worsen after a recent period of heavy drinking.

Ravishankar Bhatt, liver transplant surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, who was earlier with Victoria Hospital, said there is a gradual rise in the number of those who require liver transplants in the country.

Resilient liver

“Even if a portion of liver from the first-degree relatives — it can even be the wife or children — is transplanted into the recipient, it will grow to its normal size. The donor's liver will also take back its original shape in about three to four weeks,” Mr. Bhatt added.

April 19 was World Liver Day.

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