Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

The critical link between America’s obesity epidemic and the liver

Darryn Potosky, MD
Conditions
November 3, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

Obesity has undeniably become the top health issue of our time, with its prevalence and impact on our bodies making headlines across health care and popular media.

This isn’t merely a matter of carrying extra pounds; it’s about the multitude of serious health complications that come in its wake. The conversation around obesity often gravitates towards heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Still, another critical aspect frequently slips under the radar – the detrimental impact on one of our most vital organs, the liver.

As a gastroenterologist, I see the direct impact that our diets and lifestyles have on our livers. Liver disease leads to 2 million deaths per year, worldwide. One in 4 adults globally have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD) – many of which have no symptoms. One hundred million Americans have some form of liver disease, but less than 2 percent are officially diagnosed.

With liver disease on the rise at staggering rates, we must have conversations about liver health with our patients now to help redirect our current trajectory.

The projected rates of liver disease for both MASLD and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH) will become unmanageable for our health care providers and also carry an increasingly hefty price tag for our health care system. MASLD alone costs the United States nearly $32 billion dollars annually, nearly the same cost strokes have on our health care system.

The liver is one of the most critical indicators of one’s health, responsible for over 500 vital functions. It plays a role in nearly every organ system in the body, aiding in detoxification, synthesis, and storage.

It’s also the “canary in the coal mine” of poor diet and lifestyle choices. However, the liver is so resilient that we can’t hear or see its cry for help. We might not know until it’s too late and we receive a diagnosis of cirrhosis or cancer.

The good thing about a resilient organ is that early-stage damage can often be reversed. In fact, patients can do little things to make a big difference – small amounts of weight loss combined with low-impact physical activity multiple times a week can help increase overall liver health, possibly reversing liver damage significantly.

The bad thing is that because the liver tolerates more—the disease progression is largely asymptomatic, even in patients with advanced disease.

More people die of liver disease than breast and colon cancers combined. And, thanks to the successful public health initiatives and media attention, we are all aware that annual mammograms are recommended to start at age 40 and annual colonoscopies at age 45.

With liver disease, no sign or symptom prompts patients to see a doctor about their liver health. Where is the public health campaign to elevate the importance of liver disease and detection? Why aren’t liver scans included as part of our annual checkups?

The alarm bells have been sounding across the globe. This year alone, the American Diabetes Association, American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, and American Gastroenterological Association have all made guidance suggestions for earlier liver screenings – to find liver disease at those early stages, when therapies and interventions can aid in reducing, and even reversing the damage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Early detection is crucial to help curb the rising liver disease burden. Advances in technology have made earlier screenings more accessible than ever. Endocrinologists and gastroenterologists can noninvasively test a patient’s liver in their own clinics within 10 minutes. The scans provide a point-of-care exam with results in minutes at a doctor’s office – no operation or hospital stay needed. Liver scans not only help with initial diagnosis, but also can be used to monitor progression of disease or even provide proof of reversed damage. I have had countless patients see progress after intervention, which has effectively encouraged them to continue adopting and maintaining healthier lifestyles and dietary habits.

As a physician, I don’t want my patients to go undiagnosed with this mostly asymptomatic condition. As providers and patients, we must work to change the current trajectory of America’s liver health. We need more people to be aware of the risks of liver disease, more providers to utilize and recommend liver scans, and we need the media to help raise awareness of the importance of liver health.

Darryn Potosky is a gastroenterologist.

Prev

Communication in health care: lessons from a standardized patient [PODCAST]

November 2, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

The "little voice" physician burnout survey

November 3, 2023 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Gastroenterology

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Communication in health care: lessons from a standardized patient [PODCAST]
Next Post >
The "little voice" physician burnout survey

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

  • America’s inadequate LGBTQ medical education

    Haidn Foster
  • Is social media a friend or foe of science?

    Michael Joyce, MD
  • Why building your social media following is critical to your practice’s success

    Sheila Nazarian, MD
  • Hormone replacement therapy is still linked to cancer

    Martha Rosenberg
  • We have a shot at preventing cervical cancer

    Lisa N. Abaid, MD, MPH
  • Caught in the middle: How health insurance companies influence cancer drug selection

    Paul Pender, MD

More in Conditions

  • Nurses aren’t eating their young — we’re starving the profession

    Adam J. Wickett, BSN, RN
  • What if medicine had an exit interview?

    Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C
  • Finding healing in narrative medicine: When words replace silence

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Why coaching is not a substitute for psychotherapy

    Maire Daugharty, MD
  • Why doctors stay silent about preventable harm

    Jenny Shields, PhD
  • Why gambling addiction is America’s next health crisis

    Safina Adatia, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Mastering medical presentations: Elevating your impact

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Nurses aren’t eating their young — we’re starving the profession

      Adam J. Wickett, BSN, RN | Conditions
    • Why what doctors say matters more than you think [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden incentives driving frivolous malpractice lawsuits

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why medical students are trading empathy for publications

      Vijay Rajput, MD | Education
    • Bureaucracy over care: How the U.S. health care system lost its way

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Nurses aren’t eating their young — we’re starving the profession

      Adam J. Wickett, BSN, RN | Conditions
    • Why wanting more from your medical career is a sign of strength

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • U.S. health care leadership must prepare for policy-driven change

      Lee Scheinbart, MD | Policy
    • Why the pre-med path is pushing future doctors to the brink

      Jordan Williamson, MEd | Education
    • Why the fear of being forgotten is stronger than the fear of death [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Mastering medical presentations: Elevating your impact

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Nurses aren’t eating their young — we’re starving the profession

      Adam J. Wickett, BSN, RN | Conditions
    • Why what doctors say matters more than you think [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden incentives driving frivolous malpractice lawsuits

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why medical students are trading empathy for publications

      Vijay Rajput, MD | Education
    • Bureaucracy over care: How the U.S. health care system lost its way

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Nurses aren’t eating their young — we’re starving the profession

      Adam J. Wickett, BSN, RN | Conditions
    • Why wanting more from your medical career is a sign of strength

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • U.S. health care leadership must prepare for policy-driven change

      Lee Scheinbart, MD | Policy
    • Why the pre-med path is pushing future doctors to the brink

      Jordan Williamson, MEd | Education
    • Why the fear of being forgotten is stronger than the fear of death [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...