Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – Health

In news

• According to the Health Ministry, India has become the first country in the world to identify the need for action for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Key takeaways 

• Operational guidelines have been launched for the integration of NAFLD with the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke.
• NAFLD is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. 
• Main characteristic of NAFLD is too much fat stored in liver cells.
• It is becoming increasingly common around the world, especially in Western nations.
• Some individuals with NAFLD can develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). 
• NASH is an aggressive form of fatty liver disease, marked by liver inflammation which may progress to advanced scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure.

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