It is this fibrosis that leads to cirrhosis of the liver, and anywhere between 12-20 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes develop liver fibrosis.
However, when your blood sugar levels are high these free radicals exceed antioxidant levels and start to inflict damage on cells.
How do you treat and manage diabetes and liver disease?
According to experts, there is no cure for either diabetes or chronic liver disease – however, both can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications.
“Better control of diabetes and lifestyle measures are key, including weight loss and avoidance of alcohol.
When you are not able to control your blood sugar levels, it directly impacts your liver - as it is a vulnerable organ because it both stores and manufactures glucose
Diabetes takes a toll on your overall health and well-being. According to experts, if you have had type 2 diabetes for a long time, you are susceptible to progression of liver diseases that increase the risk of severe and potentially life-threatening complications like liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
Studies say nearly 80 per cent of people in India with type 2 diabetes have fatty liver and that having high blood sugar levels can also increase the risk of complications and death from other liver complications. “The next stage, inflammation or hepatitis, occurs in almost 50 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes. Inflammation is followed by fibrosis. It is this fibrosis that leads to cirrhosis of the liver, and anywhere between 12-20 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes develop liver fibrosis. A small, yet significant, proportion of them may develop cirrhosis. Some may even progress to liver cancer,” Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman and Head of endocrinology and Diabetes, at Max Super Speciality Hospital, told Times Now.
How does diabetes cause liver disease ?
When you are not able to control your blood sugar levels, it directly impacts your liver - as it is a vulnerable organ because it both stores and manufactures glucose depending upon the body’s needs. Under normal circumstances, the breakdown of blood sugar results in toxic byproducts called free radicals, which are damaging to your body but can be controlled by nutrients known as antioxidants. However, when your blood sugar levels are high these free radicals exceed antioxidant levels and start to inflict damage on cells.
Oxidative stress then triggers inflammation, leading to changes in the liver over time.
“There are clinical markers, including some scores, to screen which patients are at risk. One of them is the Fib-4 score, which includes liver function tests, platelet counts, & age. Those at high risk should undergo a liver fibroscan or elastography,” Dr. Mithal added.
How do you treat and manage diabetes and liver disease?
According to experts, there is no cure for either diabetes or chronic liver disease – however, both can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications. You can either slow disease progression or even prevent long-term health complications that can spread to your kidneys and heart.
Lifestyle changes that you can incorporate include:
Increased exercise
Eating a healthy diet
Quit smoking
Avoid drinking alcohol “Better control of diabetes and lifestyle measures are key, including weight loss and avoidance of alcohol. Some newer antidiabetic drugs may help, including SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs. Most recently, a new drug called Resmetirom has been approved by the USFDA for treating this condition. But the key lies in prevention, and a good lifestyle and appropriate use of the correct anti-diabetic drugs can help prevent this complication,” said Dr. Mithal. “Better control of diabetes and lifestyle measures are key, including weight loss and avoidance of alcohol. Some newer antidiabetic drugs may help, including SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs. Most recently, a new drug called Resmetirom has been approved by the USFDA for treating this condition. But the key lies in prevention, and a good lifestyle and appropriate use of the correct anti-diabetic drugs can help prevent this complication,” said Dr. Mithal.
If you are diabetic, do follow certain tips to take care of your liver, with:
