Hepatologist

Conditions Treated

• •Hepatitis B — Chronic viral infection of the liver transmitted through blood and body fluids. India has approximately 4 crore carriers.
• •Hepatitis C — Viral liver infection now curable with direct-acting antiviral drugs. Previously spread through blood transfusions and unsafe injections.
• •Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) — Fat accumulation in the liver not caused by alcohol. Affects 1 in 3 urban Indians due to diet and sedentary lifestyle.
• •Cirrhosis — Permanent scarring of the liver from prolonged damage — alcohol, hepatitis, or fatty liver disease.
• •Alcoholic Liver Disease — Liver damage from chronic excessive alcohol consumption, progressing from fatty liver to hepatitis to cirrhosis.
• •Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) — Cancer arising in the liver, usually in patients with pre-existing cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B.

Health Tips

• •Limit alcohol — your liver processes every drop
• •Get hepatitis B vaccination if not vaccinated
• •Lose weight to reverse fatty liver
• •Avoid unnecessary medications and herbal supplements
• •Never share needles, razors, or toothbrushes
• •Get liver function tests annually if you drink alcohol regularly

How to Prepare for Your Visit

• •Bring recent liver function tests (LFT), hepatitis B/C markers, and complete blood count
• •Bring ultrasound or FibroScan reports if available
• •List all medications, supplements, and ayurvedic/herbal preparations you take
• •Be prepared to discuss alcohol consumption honestly — quantity and duration
• •Mention all medications including over-the-counter painkillers and herbal supplements
• •Discuss any family history of liver disease or liver cancer
• •Ask about vaccination for hepatitis A and B if not already vaccinated
• •Discuss dietary modifications specific to your liver condition
• •Stop alcohol completely if advised — even small amounts worsen liver disease
• •Follow dietary advice — reduce sugar, refined carbs, and fried foods for fatty liver
• •Take antiviral medications exactly as prescribed — missing doses can cause drug resistance
• •Get follow-up blood tests and imaging at recommended intervals

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• •What stage is my liver disease?
• •Do I need a liver biopsy or FibroScan?
• •Is my hepatitis B/C curable or just manageable?
• •Can my fatty liver be reversed?
• •Which medications should I avoid?
• •Do I need screening for liver cancer?

When to See a Specialist

A Hepatologist specializes in liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas diseases.

• •Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
• •Chronic hepatitis B or C
• •Fatty liver progressing to NASH/fibrosis
• •Cirrhosis or liver failure symptoms
• •Elevated liver enzymes on blood tests
• •Ascites (fluid in abdomen)
• •Liver transplant evaluation

Seek emergency care for vomiting blood, sudden confusion in a liver patient, or severe abdominal pain with jaundice.