Dr. Pathik Parikh Hepatologist and Liver Transplant Physician

With the prolonged monsoon season that we had this year, the  Dengue Fever  cases have been on a rise. Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by a vector known as Aedes mosquito.  The weather in Ahmedabad being warm and with humidity provided by the prolonged monsoon has resulted in Aedes getting multiple breeding sites.It is a self-limiting condition for which no specific treatment is available and the trials on vaccination to prevent are just coming out.  It is the most rapidly spreading mosquito borne disease in the world. Most of the cases of dengue fever behave like a routine viral illness where the patient develops fever with flu like symptoms – body ache, headache, joint pains, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.  With supportive care, these symptoms subside in a period of few days and the disease leaves without any long term sequel. Affection Liver by the virus is an important aspect of the disease. Most of the time, it causes a...

Patients who are suffering from Cirrhosis are often suffering from Malnutrition. They not only have reduced intake and decreased absorption, there is increased loss as well. Greater than 70% of the individuals suffering from cirrhosis suffer from malnutrition. They tend to lose their muscle mass and build up distended tummy because of fluid. It is now beyond doubt that those who fail to maintain nutrition are at more chances of dying from complications of liver disease. Patients with cirrhosis fail to store micro-nutrients and are deficient in multiple micro-nutrients namely zinc, selenium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Folic acid, etc. They also tend to have weakened bones and low calcium. There is a general belief amongst patients suffering from  Liver Disease  to cut down on diet as a whole and restrict proteins and other nutritious substances. It is a myth that more protein will lead to more complications. Instead, lack of these foods lead to more complications D...

The year 2019 has seen one of the major changes in the transplantation scenario in Gujarat. There was the establishment of SOTTO in January this year. After the enforcement of SOTTO guidelines, the  Liver transplant program  is likely to get much more streamlined. The organ distribution process is going to be much more transparent and predictable. Liver Transplant  is now an established mode of treatment for end stage liver disease with success rate around 90% in most of the centers.  Patients from Gujarat  are traveling outside the state to get their liver transplant done. During that time, they not only end up paying a high cost for the transplant but to stay there for two to three months is a burden mentally, emotionally and financially. Liver Transplant services are already established and  fully functional in Ahmedabad . There is number of transplant centers providing liver transplant services by one of the most eminent liver specialists in the...

Liver disease and liver failure are usually treated by   specialists called hepatologists . Liver Disease may occur acute or chronic based on the time frame of the illness. Acute   liver diseases   are the liver diseases which occur over a very short time. They need to be urgently taken care of as it can progress to liver failure and may warrant an urgent liver transplant. The treatment of acute liver disease which has not progressed to liver failure is usually home based and supportive. However, there is probability of it progressing to liver failure in just a couple of days and so should always be treated by a Hepatologist. If the disease progresses towards liver failure, it warrants admission and care in intensive care setting. It should ideally be carried out by specialists and in a center where liver transplant can be carried out if need arises so. Timely presentation and management is crucial for survival in such patients. The usual causes of acute   li...

Liver disease   is the 10th most common reason for death in India. There is a rising prevalence of liver disease in Gujarat as well as rest of India. With the rise in the disease prevalence, there is also rise in awareness amongst doctors and patients likewise about the spectrum of   liver problems . However, there are lots of misconceptions about the clinical features of liver disease. People feel that when they develop gas, acidity, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea they are because of unhealthy liver. This is not true when you develop a problem with your liver, there is usually no symptom. Liver disease is asymptomatic till it reaches a progressed stage. When the disease is quite progressed, only then you develop jaundice, fluid in tummy, swelling of legs, blood in vomit, black colored stools, altered behavior and decrease in urine output. In this case when there are no symptoms, you need to be cautious and get yourself evaluated for liver disease if you have any...

Liver is an organ of your body that carries out nearly 500 functions. It is impossible for us to test for each of these functions. The freely available tests at all laboratories are usually called  liver tests  or  liver function tests  which are ideally a screening test and helps the doctor decide a direction for the direction of next investigation. Liver disease per se develops symptoms very late. When they develop symptoms, the liver damage is often quite severe. The only ways to detect abnormalities of liver before the development of symptoms are the above battery of tests.  They not only tell us the reason for liver abnormalities, they also help to decide the severity. The tests include bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, Proteins, Albumin and Prothrombin Time. These tests are bundled together in different combinations are known as liver function tests. It is based on these tests doctors can gauze what is wrong with your liver. The term jaundice is derived...

What is hepatitis? Inflammation of liver is usually referred as hepatitis. Infection or non-infectious causes – Infectious is mainly by virus. What is viral hepatitis? Hepatitis is caused by the hepatotrophic viruses A, B, C, D and E. D is not a concern in India How are these viruses different? A and E are spread from unhygienic food practices A is seen usually before 25 years of age and is most common cause of liver failure in children E is mainly seen in adults. E in pregnancy is dangerous causing 20-25% mortality A & E virus infections are self-limiting and immunity is life long B & C are spread by unsafe sexual practices and by contact with infected blood Tattoo, razors, toothbrushes, dental extractions are also risk factors They cause chronicity and can cause permanent liver damage What are the symptoms? A, E and rarely B present acutely with jaundice, fever, malaise, bodyache, anorexia, nausea C and most of the time B is chronic ...