Mysore/Mysuru: World Liver Awareness Day was conducted in Suyog Hospital, Mysuru on Apr.19. Dr. Ravichandra, Medical Gastroenterologist at Suyog Hospital, inaugurated the programme and gave a talk on the importance of liver.

He said the liver is an important organ in the body that performs many functions including the production of hormones and the removal of toxic substances.

Dr. V. Sharath Kumar, Surgical Gastroenterologist of Suyog Hospital, who also spoke, said infectious hepatitis due to viruses and alcoholic hepatitis are dangerous diseases of the liver; avoiding alcohol and taking the hepatitis vaccine will prevent the disease.

Dr. S.P. Yoganna, Chairman of Suyog Hospital, presided over the function and said that loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss and bleeding, abdominal distensions are very important symptoms of liver disease. People who are especially alcoholic should get examined their liver at least once in three months by getting done liver function tests, liver scan and take early treatment to prevent further damage.

Alcoholism is a major cause of liver diseases among modern people and called upon people to restrain from alcohol, which is also responsible for the increase in diabetes, heart attacks, and many cancers.

Suyog Hospital has a comprehensive preventive health check programme that covers vital organs including the liver and is advised to check periodically at least once a year.