People often associate liver disease with excessive alcohol consumption, but the assumption leaves many cases of viral hepatitis unnoticed until it has caused much damage.
Why are there common myths around viral hepatitis?
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Interacting with HT Lifestyle on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, which is observed every year on July 28, gastroenterologist Dr Shankar Lal Jat shared that viral hepatitis, caused by infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C, silently affects people of any age or lifestyle.
“Because symptoms remain mild or absent in the early stages, many people discover the condition only after complications develop,” he stated. “It is important to know about this condition, as it helps protect people from believing myths and helps them make informed lifestyle choices before it is too late.”
He went on to debunk five popular myths about viral hepatitis, and also shared everyday habits that protect the liver.
“Regular screening helps detect infection before serious liver damage happens,” he stated. “Alongside medical treatment, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, avoiding unnecessary medications and limiting alcohol consumption reduces additional stress on the liver and improves overall well-being.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Dr Shankar Lal Jat, MD, DM, is the head of the department of gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur. He has more than seven years of clinical experience with expertise in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, banding, sclerotherapy, polypectomy, ERCP, metal stent placement for GI obstruction and bile duct obstruction, oesophageal and anorectal manometry, oesophageal pH metry.
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According to Dr Shankar Lal Jat, small lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of viral hepatitis. Some of them are listed as follows.
Modern medicine can help control or even cure certain forms of viral hepatitis when diagnosed early, pointed out Dr Shankar Lal Jat.
