Statistics indicate that some 70 percent of Chinese urban population around the age of 40 are suffering from fatty liver - a fat disorder of the liver - with the number of cases continuing to rise.
The figure comes from a recent city forum on maintaining liver health through scientific methods.
Experts pointed out that the main reasons for the high incidence of fatty liver problems among middle aged people can be traced back to their unhealthy lifestyle.
"Lavish diets and over drinking may both lead to a fatty liver," said Liu Ping from Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine University.
"Stress, which is on the increase among the middle aged, and the side effect of certain medicine may also contribute to the disease."
Fatty liver, according to medical theories, is an excessive accumulation of fat inside the liver cells.
As fatty liver usually produces no symptoms (only rarely does it cause jaundice, nausea, vomiting, pain and abdominal tenderness), people seldom pay serious attention to it.
Yet, if the patient continues to ignore the problem and continue with an unhealthy lifestyle, like over drinking or eating, clinical evidence shows the fatty liver condition may eventually progress to cirrhosis.
Treatment
As for the treatment of fatty liver, doctors pointed out that patients should first find out the cause of the disease, and then try to avoid it, like quitting alcohol and readjusting the diet, taking liver protection medicine when necessary.
China is a country with a high incidence of liver diseases, experts emphasize saying that immediate action is necessary.
It is essential for people to do daily exercises, and keep away from unsanitary food. "Regular health checkups are necessary for adults," Lin added.
( Shanghai Star April 3, 2002)
