Liver Disease Treatment in India for Bangladeshi Patients

Understanding the Liver and Its Diseases

What is a Liver Disease?

Liver disease refers to any condition that damages the liver and affects its ability to function properly. The liver is a vital organ that helps digest food, store energy, and remove toxins from the body. When it's affected by disease, these important tasks are disrupted. Liver disease can range from mild inflammation to serious conditions like gastro- liver disease, cirrhosis, fatty liver, or liver cancer. 

What is a Gastro Liver Disease?

It is a general term patients use for liver issues linked to digestion. It often includes signs from both the liver and the stomach.

What is Liver Cirrhosis?

Liver cirrhosis is a serious condition where the liver becomes hard and scarred due to long-term damage. This makes it hard for the liver to work properly.

What is Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver means fat builds up inside the liver. This can stop the liver from working properly over time.

Doctors call it fatty liver disease or hepatic steatosis. It is very common and often found during health check-ups.

Two main types:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) -Not caused by alcohol. Linked to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and poor diet.
  
• Alcoholic fatty liver disease - Caused by drinking too much alcohol.

What is Treatment for Liver Diseases?

Treatment for liver diseases means using medicines, lifestyle changes, or surgery to help the liver work better and stop the disease from getting worse. Doctors choose the treatment based on the cause, like hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

Some people call it “liver problem treatment,” or just “medicine for the liver.” These are common terms patients and families may use when asking for help.

Many believe that liver problems always need surgery, but this is not true. Most liver diseases can be managed with medicines, food changes, and rest if it is found early. Surgery or a liver transplant is needed only in serious cases.

Always talk to a liver specialist before starting any treatment. Some home remedies or over-the-counter pills may make liver problems worse.

Why Do People Need Treatment for Liver Diseases?

People need treatment for liver diseases to stop damage, reduce pain, and stay healthy. The liver is a vital organ. It helps clean the blood, digest food, and store energy. If the liver is sick, the whole body suffers. 

Common Causes of Liver Disease

Liver diseases can result from infections, unhealthy habits, or inherited conditions. Some causes are preventable, while others are passed down in families.

Here are the most common causes:

• Hepatitis viruses (A, B, C) - These spread through infected food, blood, or unprotected sex. Hepatitis B and C can become long-term problems.
  
• Alcohol abuse - Drinking too much alcohol over time damages liver cells.
  
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - Fat builds up in the liver. It is common in people with diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol.
  
• Autoimmune liver disease - The body attacks its own liver by mistake.
  
• Genetic liver diseases - Conditions like Wilson’s disease or haemochromatosis are passed from parents to children.
  
• Liver cancer - Sometimes caused by long-term hepatitis or cirrhosis.
  
• Side effects of medicines - Some painkillers, antibiotics, and herbal products can harm the liver if used too often or without advice.
  
• Blocked bile ducts - This stops bile from leaving the liver, causing damage.

Symptoms of Liver Disease 

Liver disease symptoms often start mild and get worse over time. Many people don’t notice the early signs. That’s why it’s important to get tested if you are at risk.

Common symptoms include:

• Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
  
• Bleeding easily
  
• Swelling in the legs or belly
  
• Feeling sleepy
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Blood vomiting
  
• Black stool
• Abdominal pain

The prominent signs of liver damage are extreme nausea, yellowing of skin (jaundice), and abdominal pain. Early diagnosis gives the best results. 

Major types of liver disease that need early treatment are Fatty liver, Liver Cirrhosis, Gastrointestinal Liver Disease and Liver Cancer. 

Symptoms of Gastro-Liver Disease

Common symptoms include:

• Pain or heaviness on the right side of the belly
• Bloating or gas after meals
• Nausea or feeling like vomiting
• Loss of hunger
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Loose motion or constipation

These symptoms can point to conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, or early liver damage. Some people also confuse these signs with regular stomach problems. But if they happen often, a liver test is needed. Do not ignore these signs. Early treatment prevents more serious liver damage.

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis symptoms often start slowly and get worse over time. In the early stages, many people may not feel anything. As damage grows, signs become clear.

Main symptoms include:

• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
  
• Swelling in the belly
  
• Swollen legs or ankles
  
• Extreme tiredness and weakness
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Weight loss without trying
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
• Itchy skin
  
• Bleeding or bruising easily
  
• Red palms or spider-like blood vessels on the skin

Symptoms of Fatty Liver

Fatty liver often has no clear symptoms in the early stages. Many people find out only during a regular blood test or ultrasound.  As the condition gets worse, you may notice:

• Tiredness or feeling weak all the time
  
• Discomfort or pain on the right side of the belly
  
• Loss of hunger
  
• Feeling full quickly after eating
  
• Mild weight gain or sudden weight loss
  
• Dark patches on the neck or underarms (common in people with insulin resistance)

When Do These Symptoms Lead to Treatment?

Symptoms of liver disease should lead to treatment as soon as they appear. Many liver diseases do not show clear signs at first, so waiting can be dangerous.

Doctors may start treatment after:

• A physical check-up
  
• Liver function test (LFT)
  
• Ultrasound or scan
  
• Blood tests to find infections or fat in the liver

Ways to Recover from Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis cannot be fully reversed, but proper treatment can slow down the damage and improve your quality of life. Recovery means controlling symptoms, stopping more damage, and keeping the liver as healthy as possible.

Medical treatments

• Medicines: Doctors may give tablets to control swelling, infections, or other problems caused by cirrhosis.
  
• Treat the cause: If cirrhosis is from hepatitis, fatty liver, or alcohol, doctors will focus on that first.
  
• Regular tests: Blood tests, scans, and endoscopy are needed to check liver health and prevent problems.
  
• Hospital care: In serious cases, patients may need fluid removal or other special care.
  
• Liver transplant: This may be the only option when the liver stops working fully.
  

Lifestyle changes

• Stop drinking alcohol completely
  
• Eat a liver-friendly diet: Low in salt, fat, and processed food
  
• Stay active: Light exercise can help overall health
  
• Avoid raw seafood and unsafe water: To prevent infections
  
• Do not take medicines without a doctor’s advice: Many can harm the liver

Diet for a Liver Cirrhosis Patient

A liver cirrhosis patient requires a carefully managed diet to support liver function, prevent complications, and maintain overall health. It is based on individual needs and the stage of cirrhosis. In general, a liver cirrhosis patient has the following diet.

1. Calories and Protein Intake

• Calories: 30 to 35 kcal per kg of body weight per day.
  
• Protein: 1.2 to 1.5 grams per kg of body weight per day.
  
  
  • Source: lean meat, eggs, tofu, lentils, fish.
    
  • Note: In hepatic encephalopathy, protein may be reduced temporarily and then gradually increased using vegetable proteins and dairy.
    

2. Low Sodium (Salt) Diet

• Limit sodium to <2000 mg/day to reduce fluid retention and ascites.
  
• Avoid table salt, packaged foods, pickles, chips, and canned soups.
  
• Use herbs, lemon juice, or vinegar for flavour instead of salt.

3. Fluid Restriction

• Usually advised if serum sodium is low or if ascites is present.
  
• Limit fluid intake to 1.2 to 1.5 litres/day, depending on the doctor’s advice.

4. Carbohydrates and Fats

• Carbs: Should be the main source of energy (e.g., rice, oats, fruits, vegetables).
  
• Fats: Use healthy fats (olive oil, nuts in moderation). Avoid trans fats.

5. Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamin deficiencies are common (A, D, E, K, B1, B6, B12, folate).
  
• May require supplementation under supervision.
  
• Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

6. Small, Frequent Meals

• Eat 4 to 6 small meals a day, including a late-night snack, to prevent muscle breakdown.

7. Foods to Avoid

• Alcohol - strictly prohibited.
  
• Red meat - avoid or limit, especially in encephalopathy.
  
• Raw shellfish - risk of infections.
  
• Processed foods - high in sodium and preservatives.
  
• Sugary foods - avoid excessive sweets or sugary drinks.

Here is a sample diet chart for a liver cirrhosis patient

Why Choose India for Treatment of Liver Diseases?

India is one of the top choices for liver treatment for Bangladeshi patients. Many families travel to India every year for safe, expert, and affordable medical care.

Key reasons to choose India:

• Experienced liver specialists
  Top hospitals have doctors trained in liver transplants, cirrhosis care, and hepatitis treatment.
  
• Advanced hospitals
  Indian hospitals use modern machines for liver scans, tests, and surgeries.
  
• Affordable treatment costs
  Costs are much lower than in many other countries, with high-quality care.
  
• Easy travel and language
  Bangladeshis can travel to India easily. Many hospitals have Bengali-speaking staff and translators.
  
• Quick appointments
  Patients can get fast check-ups and treatment without long waits.
  
• Trusted by many Bangladeshi families
  Thousands of Bangladeshi patients visit India each year and return with good results.

India offers the right mix of skilled doctors, advanced treatment options, lower cost, and patient-friendly services. Compared to other countries, patients get the same quality care at a much more affordable price in India.

Contact Bangla Health Connect today to connect with top Indian hospitals or get a second opinion.