The Intersection of Gender and Liver Disease:The Indian Context:Specific Liver Diseases More Common in Women:What is Hemophilia?
While liver diseases affect both sexes, women face unique biological and physiological challenges that heighten their risk.
Pregnancy-related liver disorders and genetic conditions like Wilson disease also present gender-specific challenges, impacting women uniquely.To prevent liver diseases, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach towards liver health.
Liver diseases are often undetected amongst women, especially during critical periods like pregnancy, thus, requiring vigilant care.In conclusion, the gender disparity in liver health necessitates a tailored approach to prevention and treatment.
By understanding and addressing the specific risk factors that women face, liver health outcomes can be improved, ensuring a healthier future for women everywhere.
The Intersection of Gender and Liver Disease:
The Indian Context:
Specific Liver Diseases More Common in Women:
What is Hemophilia? Expert tips to manage it
Proactive Liver Health Management:
(Dr. Ankur Garg, Director & HOD, HPB Surgery & Liver Transplant, SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram)
The liver, a powerhouse of the human body, plays an essential role in processing nutrients, detoxifying harmful substances and regulating hormones. While liver diseases affect both sexes, women face unique biological and physiological challenges that heighten their risk. This article explores the reasons behind this increased vulnerability and outlines strategies for women to safeguard their liver health .Women’s bodies undergo regular hormonal fluctuations and possess genetic predispositions that make them more susceptible to certain liver conditions. These include, autoimmune hepatitis and a range of hepatitis viruses, where the immune system mistakenly targets liver cells, causing inflammation and damage. Additionally, lifestyle factors , such as alcohol consumption, interact differently with women’s bodies due to their generally smaller stature and higher body fat percentages, leading to a slower metabolism of substances and increased risk of damage.A recent AIIMS study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology in June 2022 sheds light on the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in India, affecting over a third of the population. While NAFLD’s risk factors—obesity, an inactive lifestyle and insulin resistance—are common to both genders, women are more likely to suffer its severe consequences.Women are disproportionately affected by certain liver diseases. Alcoholic liver disease , for instance, progresses differently in women due to variations in alcohol metabolism and body composition. Similarly, drug-induced liver injury, influenced by hormonal imbalances and certain medications like oral contraceptives, poses a higher risk. Pregnancy-related liver disorders and genetic conditions like Wilson disease also present gender-specific challenges, impacting women uniquely.To prevent liver diseases, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach towards liver health. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol consumption and limiting it to occasional social drinking and avoiding exposure to other harmful chemicals are crucial. Vaccinations against hepatitis viruses play a key role in prevention. Liver diseases are often undetected amongst women, especially during critical periods like pregnancy, thus, requiring vigilant care.In conclusion, the gender disparity in liver health necessitates a tailored approach to prevention and treatment. By understanding and addressing the specific risk factors that women face, liver health outcomes can be improved, ensuring a healthier future for women everywhere.
