Estimates are worrying. About 20 percent of people in Salta have fatty hearts, a percentage that is almost the same as at the national level. Although it has no symptoms, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis usually occurs in people with certain medical profiles. These are overweight patients, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or a combination of health problems known as "metabolic syndrome." However, it can also occur in people who do not have these characteristics but they report excessive fat consumption.
In announcing Salta's estimate, doctor Analía Cabezas warned that until a few years ago it was estimated that cirrhosis was a disease directly related to alcohol consumption and some drugs and drugs. But there are other diseases related to the prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Professionals from Hospital del Milagro care for patients with suspected disease. "The aim is to stop more serious cases in time." Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis can be treated with two basic actions: a healthy diet and exercise, "explained gastroenterologist Felix Aldana.
In that country, obesity rates are increasing both in adults and in children and adolescents. A diet rich in calories, fat, and sugar plus a lack of physical activity causes diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which everyone identifies as fatty liver.
Aldana shows that a person with a body index of less than 25 percent (someone who is thin) can still have a fatty liver. "People who exceed 25 percent of body mass index, in 45 percent also have fatty liver," said gastroenterologist. Patients who arrive at the area of gastroenterology, under the care of doctor Alberto Marshall, usually do so because of stomach discomfort. "The diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is noted in most cases when 30 percent of the liver has been compromised," Cabezas said.
However, simple ultrasound and blood tests allow detection. Gastroenterologists say that ultrasound is a good diagnostic method because it is accessible.
In the case of people over 60 years, fatty liver is presented along with what are called comorbidities, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, among others.
In children and adolescents the obesity population produces more cases of fatty liver. Aldana said that in this situation prevention could be taken.
"They have to work harder to promote among young people the practice of sports or physical activity and, in addition, have a healthy diet," Cabezas added.
Gastroenterology specialists in the heart highlight that through a series of tests you can see enzymes that identify the latent presence of a fatty liver, thus maintaining recommendations for a healthy life.
"It's not that you don't eat more chips," Aldana said. He said that moderate consumption must be done for a week.
Professionals warn that currently young people and children have a large supply of junk food and sweet drinks, which leads to changes in metabolism and obesity.
"Aerobic type physical activity must be promoted so that calories are burned and this disease is avoided," they said.
Activities to prevent hepatitis
Health maps an agenda that includes capital and interior.
In commemoration of World Day Against Hepatitis, which was remembered on July 28, the Ministry of Public Health through its dependence, will carry out promotional and prevention activities, as part of an international strategy developed to control infections by viruses that affect the liver.
Dr. Hospital Arturo Oñativia will take precautions, rapid tests and counseling sessions on hepatitis B and C, from 9 am to 13 am, on Monday, 22 and 29 October.
On Wednesday, July 24, there will be rapid hepatitis prevention and testing, from 9 to 12, at the Health Center in the El Pilar neighborhood.
The HIV program from the health portfolio will be located in the fourth IV century, on Friday, July 26, from the 9th to the 13th, with one day prevention and rapid testing of hepatitis B and C.
At the environmental health center June 20, from 9 to 12, on Monday 29 precautions and rapid hepatitis tests will be carried out, and vaccines will be placed in the target group.
The del Milagro Hospital Laboratory will conduct rapid tests, advice on hepatitis B and C and prevention, from 9 to 13, on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 at this time.
Likewise, at Solidaridad environmental health center, on Wednesday, August 7, from 9 to 13, activities will include prevention, rapid hepatitis testing and vaccination for hepatitis B.
At J. Fernández hospital, in Molinos, prevention, rapid testing, hepatitis B and C, and vaccination for hepatitis B sessions will take place on Monday, July 22 and Friday, July 26, from 8 to 13.
On Wednesday 24th today, the theme and prevention will be disseminated in the main square of Campo Quijano, from 9 to 13.
Prevention days, rapid tests and counseling about hepatitis B and C will be conducted on Thursday 25 and Monday July 29 at La Poma hospital, from 8 to 12.
In the activities of Coronel Moldes will include a quick test and counseling about hepatitis B in the town square, Friday 26 out of 9 at this time.
A question can save lives
Opinion of Adrián Gadano Hospital Italiano Bs.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known as "fatty liver" and affects 30% of the world's population. If it is not diagnosed and controlled, it can worsen and have serious consequences for the patient's health. More often there are silent diseases that we must pay attention to. This is the month for awareness of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH-NASH), and it is important to be aware and learn more about this disease to avoid the consequences.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a form of NAFLD that is often "silent" and most people who have it do not know it. In the long term, it can have serious consequences for the patient and the cause is not excessive alcohol consumption, but excessive fat accumulation in the liver.
This is a chronic disease, which says that it affects health for many years and usually occurs in middle-aged people, especially those who are over 50 years old, obese or overweight. In addition, patients with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or a combination of health problems known as the "metabolic syndrome" are more likely to suffer from NASH. However, it can also affect people who appear healthy with a normal body weight, and can even occur in children. Keep in mind that our country leads the rate of obesity in Latin America.
Regarding the diagnosis of NASH, in the first stage of the disease it is possible that the patient shows little or no symptoms. Fat can appear on the liver on abdominal ultrasound or slight changes in blood tests on routine examinations. At a later stage the person may feel tired, weak and even lose weight. In general, the diagnosis of NASH is confirmed by a liver biopsy. In general, we can say that NASH can be suspected in patients with abnormal liver function tests and for no apparent reason for liver disease. Sometimes ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging is done for other reasons showing enlargement of the liver or detecting the presence of fat.
Because this is a disease unknown to most people, it is important to be aware and understand that it can be a serious but manageable disease, which leads to healthy habits and eating habits. If not examined, it can worsen, cause liver damage and scarring, and over time this organ may fail, can even turn into liver cancer or badly need a liver transplant to avoid the death of the patient.
At present this disease is one of the main causes of liver transplants in Argentina and the world. For this reason, it is important to consider that NASH is there, to ask how my heart is, to consult with a doctor and, if diagnosed, to consult a specialist to carry out treatment based on healthy habits.
It is advisable to talk to your doctor and respect certain important factors to avoid or overcome the disease in the best way. Among them are: maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet, low sugar and saturated fat, increasing or strengthening aerobic exercise, avoiding alcoholic drinks and checking with your doctor the medicines you use to reduce possible liver efforts In turn, weight loss a body within a healthy range can help prevent NAFLD from getting worse and can even reverse the disease. At present there are no specific pharmacological treatments approved, but in the world, also in our country an investigation is being conducted on new drugs to treat them. As a health professional I once again highlighted the importance of discussing this issue, because asking the right questions saved lives. How is your heart