Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Liver disease often comes without any warning. It can develop silently, without obvious symptoms, sometimes going unnoticed for years. UAE doctors say this makes everyday health choices and routine check-ups especially important.
On World Liver Day, marked on April 19, specialists encouraged residents to build sustainable healthy habits, stay attuned to changes in their bodies, and take advantage of the growing range of preventive screenings.
Dr Parthi Srinivasan, General Surgery Consultant and Liver Transplant Surgeon at Burjeel Medical City, said that in his practice, he has seen patients presenting with advanced liver disease, often without prior awareness.
"A large proportion of these cases are linked to lifestyle-related factors such as obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, and fatty liver disease," he said, adding that younger patients are increasingly affected.
Many of the severe cases could have been prevented, Dr Srinivasan said. Patients who required transplants had a history of avoidable risk factors, including poor diet, alcohol misuse, and lack of regular check-ups, he added.
Dr Shiva Kumar, Division Chair of the Gastroenterology Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Digestive Disease Institute, highlighted that liver disease often causes no symptoms until serious damage occurs. This makes early detection crucial to patient outcomes.
Identifying liver conditions early allows treatment "to help heal damage and prevent progression to more serious diseases such as cirrhosis", while also improving long-term organ function, Dr Kumar told Aletihad.
He pointed to a growing range of diagnostic tools that make this possible, from routine blood tests and imaging such as CT and MRI scans to more specialised procedures, including liver biopsy, paracentesis to analyse abdominal fluid in advanced cases, and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.
Dr Kumar said these tools help clinicians detect issues sooner and guide timely treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Simple Changes, Big Impact
Dr Srinivasan described the liver as "the powerhouse of the body, performing hundreds of vital functions every day". This underscores a simple principle, he said. "If you take care of your liver, it will take care of you."
Dr Srinivasan emphasised that from maintaining a balanced diet to exercising regularly, everyday habits can make a difference in liver health.
Dr Mathew Vadukoot, Gastroenterology Specialist at Lifecare Hospital Musaffah, said small daily changes can have a significant impact.
These include staying hydrated, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding self-medication, and maintaining a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.
Dr Kumar added that diet remains central to prevention, noting that its role in liver health is often overlooked.
A balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins helps support liver function, he said, while reducing consumption of sugar and highly processed foods can lower the risk of strain on the organ.
Limiting alcohol and avoiding unnecessary supplements are also important, while moderate coffee consumption has been consistently linked to better liver health, Dr Kumar said.
