logo
Door-to-door liver screening campaign begins in Tiruchy

Door-to-door liver screening campaign begins in Tiruchy

New Indian Express17 hours ago

TIRUCHY: In a proactive step against the growing threat of silent liver damage, the Tiruchy health department has launched a door-to-door screening campaign for Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) — previously known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The initiative, rolled out on June 4 under the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) scheme, has already reached over 100 residents in the district. For the first time, MTM is extended for liver also at their door step.
Children too may be assessed with parental consent, a senior health official confirmed. A total of 397 Women Health Volunteers (WHVs) — 306 in rural Tiruchy and 91 in urban areas — are conducting home visits to identify individuals aged 30 and above with potential risk factors such as a personal or family history of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or gallstones. WHVs are also checking for abdominal obesity, measuring waist circumference (over 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women) and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Elderly & kids with adenovirus history at greater Cov risk: Docs
Elderly & kids with adenovirus history at greater Cov risk: Docs

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Elderly & kids with adenovirus history at greater Cov risk: Docs

Kolkata: The elderly with comorbidities, and children, especially those who suffered an adenovirus infection over the last three years, may be vulnerable to the existing Covid strains affecting many across Kolkata, said pulmonologists. Many of these patients suffer from associated respiratory illnesses, like recurring bouts of asthma, frequent bronchitis, COPD, or respiratory distress triggered by chest infections, and are at a greater risk of getting Covid. Children and the elderly form the bulk of Covid patients now admitted across city hospitals. While previously adenovirus-triggered pneumonia or respiratory tract infections would be cured without long-term impact, a large number of those affected since the pandemic experienced recurring infections that suggest a long-term impact, pulmonologists said. A reason could be that immunity against non-Covid viruses dropped sharply post-pandemic, according to CMRI Hospital pulmonology director Raja Dhar. "Since Covid left no room for other viruses, like rhinovirus, meta-pneumo virus, influenza viruses, and other upper respiratory viruses, for almost three years, immunity against these dropped. Also, since people remained at home, infection spread was minimized. Naturally, when these viruses returned post-Covid, the infection they caused was more severe due to the lower resistance. About 5% of these patients have a lasting scar on their lungs, but now we have come back to the previous immunity level," Dhar said. Kolkata experienced a major adenovirus outbreak during the winter of 2022-23, when thousands, mostly children, were affected. "Many of these children have recurring infections, though mild. But the infection has been more severe post-Covid. We saw many deaths during the 2022-23 outbreak that resulted from a more severe and prolonged infection than before. Also, cough, breathing distress, and fever have been recurring frequently among these children over the last two years. Many have required hospitalisation and steroids to recover," said paediatrician Shantanu Ray. RN Tagore Hospital intensivist Sauren Panja said, "The lasting and more severe impact of post-Covid respiratory infections, including adenovirus, might be due to immunological changes in our system during Covid or alterations in the adenovirus strain. There were a couple of major adenovirus outbreaks after Covid, and those infected have turned more susceptible to respiratory disorders, like cough and cold, breathing distress, nasal blockages, frequent bouts of asthma, or COPD. For a section of these patients, these are also triggered by the trauma and mental scars left by Covid." Those affected have been suffering from frequent lung infections, exacerbations of asthma and COPD, and respiratory tract infections, said Charnock Hospital pulmonologist Soumya Sengupta, adding: "These are also being triggered by frequent temperature fluctuations, since the mercury has been on a see-saw ride since last month. So, those who had an adenovirus infection need to be careful. Children have a smaller respiratory tract that saves them from long-term impact. So, while it has been affecting both children and the elderly, it hasn't led to permanent scars or lung fibrosis in most cases." "The elderly, who had adenovirus during that period, too, have turned more vulnerable to COPD, asthma, or respiratory tract infections. While some have fibrosis, though not acute, their resistance has dropped," said Panja.

Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event
Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition: experts at The Hindu-Naruvi event

As against a 30% global incidence, 40% of the Indian population is affected by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a liver condition that remains a silent pandemic. Gastroenterologists on Sunday (June 8, 2025) discussed this disease linked to lifestyle at The Hindu-Naruvi Hospitals webinar series under the 'Healthy India Happy India' initiative. Experts emphasised that weight reduction is the key to treating this non-alcoholic fatty liver condition triggered by unhealthy lifestyle and metabolic risk factors such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Speaking at the webinar on MASLD, Ashok Chacko, senior consultant and head, Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at the Naruvi Hospitals, said the liver condition largely remains undiagnosed in 53% of Indian population who are at higher risk due to co-morbidities, because there are hardly any symptoms till the liver fails. 'Fatigue or tiredness and a mild pain on the right side of the abdomen could be the only early symptoms and often ignored. MASLD is a lifestyle disease caused due to increased intake of food and decreased exercise, and co-morbidities impact the disease progression,' he said. Though the disease is static or reversed in 80% to 85% cases, MASLD is not harmless and cannot be ignored. Prof. Chacko said 15% of all patients develop steatotic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), which takes seven years to develop, and 5% develop liver cirrhosis, which takes another 25 years. 'A few also get liver cancer but due to the long timespan and lack of symptoms, people neglect it,' he said. Screening must Referring to common doubts and concerns about fatty liver and determining the risk of developing complications, R.S. Arun, Head of Medical Gastroenterology, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, said targeted screening of those with high risk factors, and surveillance of disease progression helped in dealing with complications. He recommended blood tests and ultrasound every six months, and a non-invasive fibroscan every one to three years. He reiterated that every person living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, hypertension, high lipid profile, elevated liver enzymes, family history of heart disease and liver cirrhosis should undergo regular check-ups. While the treatment of MASLD starts with managing the risk factors, maintaining ideal weight and healthy lifestyle with nutrient-dense diet, adequate sleep, hydration, and following an exercise prescription is the key to reversing fatty liver, said Rabindranath E., consultant in medical gastroenterology with Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore. Diet is both the cause and cure for MASLD, he said. The mantra is to reduce the portion size and calories, and stick to a protein-rich, low-carb diet. 'Consistency in physical activity such as walking, jogging, cycling and swimming for at least 12 weeks will start reaping benefits,' said Dr. Rabindranath. He also recommended quitting smoking and alcohol, and following customised and intermittent fasting to reduce liver fat. 'But do so after consulting a doctor if you have advanced liver disease or other co-morbidities to ensure safety,' he said. This webinar can be viewed at

Door-to-door liver screening campaign begins in Tiruchy
Door-to-door liver screening campaign begins in Tiruchy

New Indian Express

time17 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

Door-to-door liver screening campaign begins in Tiruchy

TIRUCHY: In a proactive step against the growing threat of silent liver damage, the Tiruchy health department has launched a door-to-door screening campaign for Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) — previously known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The initiative, rolled out on June 4 under the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) scheme, has already reached over 100 residents in the district. For the first time, MTM is extended for liver also at their door step. Children too may be assessed with parental consent, a senior health official confirmed. A total of 397 Women Health Volunteers (WHVs) — 306 in rural Tiruchy and 91 in urban areas — are conducting home visits to identify individuals aged 30 and above with potential risk factors such as a personal or family history of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or gallstones. WHVs are also checking for abdominal obesity, measuring waist circumference (over 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women) and Body Mass Index (BMI).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store