MKRMS seminar: Around two million hepatitis patients in Pakistan: experts

LAHORE: Hepatitis is spreading rapidly in Pakistan. With each passing day, the number of patients suffering from this disease is increasing. Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It’s commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol.

We should take precautionary measures because treatment of different diseases is complex and expensive. About two million people are suffering from this disease. Hepatitis may be temporary or chronic depending on whether it lasts for less than or more than six months. There are five main types of viral hepatitis: type A, B, C, D, and E. To prevent from this disease, we should take precautionary measures. The health sector of Punjab is doing prominent work for prevention from this disease.

These views were expressed by speakers in a seminar “Amraaz-e-Meda Jigar Ki Tashkhees, Ilaaj Aur Bachao Se Agaahi” organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers), Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology, Ferozsons Laboratories Limited and G-I Endoscopy.Prof Dr Ghayas-un-Nabi Tayyab (Patron in Chief Gastro Summit 2018, Principal Ameer-ud-Din Medical College) chaired the seminar.

Prof Dr Ghias-un-Nabi Tayyab said that for many years, Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology is working on gastroenterology problems and with the experts’ guidance, appreciable work is being done. There are many diseases of gastroenterology in Pakistan; every third person has blood deficiency; every fourth person is heart patient while one-third of the people from 20 to 50 years age are suffering from hepatitis B and C. Patients’ whole life gets affected due to this disease. Media and civil society should work together to spread awareness about this disease. Majority of people are suffering from stomach acidity. They should consult with doctor if it is getting severe, he added.

Prof Dr Sadiq Masood said prevention is better than cure. Hepatitis is spreading rapidly; 5 percent of population is suffering from hepatitis C while 2.5 percent of population is suffering from hepatitis B. We suffer from such diseases because we have changed our lifestyle and due to that obesity is increasing rapidly. We should avoid getting injected for any reason all the time and we should also wash our hands before eating anything, he added.

Javaid Iqbal said “this seminar is very meaningful. We need to get the message from experts’ opinion.” Prof Dr Saeed Khokhar said such awareness seminars play a significant role in educating the public. We should take precautionary measures because treatment of different diseases is complex and expensive. About two million people are suffering from this disease. Hepatitis A and E are mainly spread by contaminated food and water. Both hepatitis B and C are commonly spread through infected blood such as may occur during needle sharing by intravenous drug users. Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis A, B, and D are preventable with immunisation. Medications may be used to treat chronic cases of viral hepatitis. However, a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, a healthy diet, and weight loss, is important.

Usman Khalid Waheed delivered the vote of thanks to all the experts for their participation. He said we have to eliminate hepatitis till 2030. This disease is curable. More than one million people are suffering from this disease while 14 percent of people do not know that they are suffering from it, he added.

Wasif Nagi said that for last 10 years, stomach and liver diseases have increased and quackery has played a major role in developing such diseases. We will have to stand against quackery system.

Prof Dr Arif Mehmood Siddiqui said the acute form of hepatitis, generally caused by viral infection, is characterised by constitutional symptoms that are typically self-limiting. Chronic hepatitis presents similarly, but can manifest signs and symptoms specific to liver dysfunction with long-standing inflammation and damage to the organ.

Prof Dr Altaf Alam told about its medication through his presentation. He also told that free medicine would be available in hepatitis clinics for patients.

Prof Dr Irshad said that according to WHO, liver cancer is second biggest cause of death. This is found in men three times more than women; 80 to 85 percent are those who have squeezed liver.

Dr Muhammad Arif Nadeem said we take junk food that is why we suffer from acidity and other stomach diseases. And mostly stomach disease when get worse, they lead to such severe deadly diseases.

Dr Kashif Malik said stomach ulcers are painful sores in the stomach lining. Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcer affects both the stomach and small intestines. Stomach ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices is reduced. This allows the digestive acids to eat away the tissues that line the stomach, causing an ulcer. Stomach ulcers may be easily cured, but they can become severe without proper treatment. Stomach ulcers are almost always caused by an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Dr Khalid Mehmood said that jaundice may indicate a serious problem with the function of your red blood cells, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. Jaundice forms when there is too much bilirubin in your system. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is formed by the breakdown of dead red blood cells in the liver. Normally, the liver gets rid of bilirubin along with old red blood cells.

In more severe cases, the whites of your eyes may turn brown or orange-coloured. You may also have dark urine and pale stools. If an underlying health condition such as viral hepatitis is to blame for the jaundice, you might experience other symptoms, such as excessive fatigue and vomiting; 90 percent of children suffer from it. It is necessary to keep ourselves clean.

Dr Shumail Zafar said treatment methods have been improved due to that we can easily diagnose and treat any disease. Dr Asif Gul said that large intestine cancer is spreading rapidly. Dr Ghias-ul-Hassan said that 30 percent patients of fatty liver have liver inflammation. People having fatty liver are those who suffer from obesity. We should avoid junk food and unnecessary medicines. Prof Dr Israr-ul-Haq said that patients should get their treatment and they should be properly aware of their disease. -