World Liver Day: Why are people under 30 falling prey to liver diseases? Is jaundice also a symptom of it?

The liver is one of the most important organs of our body. The liver has a special role in cleaning the blood, maintaining proper digestion, and producing many types of hormones important for the body's functions. However, due to disturbed lifestyle and food-related problems, the risk of liver diseases is increasing.

Health experts say that till a few decades ago, liver diseases were known as a problem associated with aging, although now people under the age of 30 are also found to be its victims.

World Liver Day is celebrated every year on 19 April to raise awareness about increasing liver diseases and educate people about its prevention. Let us understand the increasing liver problems from health experts.

Rising liver diseases among youth

A Chennai laboratory analyzed abdominal scans of more than 10,000 people between June 2024 and March 2025. About 30 percent of those scans showed signs of fatty liver disease. The average age of those affected was a little under 50, but what caught the attention of experts was that liver diseases are quietly increasing even in the 20-30 age group.

Dr. Bhargav Shekhar, a liver specialist at a private hospital in Lucknow, says, "This trend of increasing liver diseases in young people is very worrying, the good thing is that it can be prevented. Fatty liver disease, especially in its early stages, often has symptoms that go unnoticed. But if it is not treated, it can take the form of fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.

Know the risks of liver diseases.
The increasing cases of liver diseases (such as fatty liver, and cirrhosis) in young people under the age of 30 is worrying. This trend is being seen more especially in developing countries like India, where factors related to lifestyle, diet, and mental stress play a major role.

A study conducted in the US found that the incidence of cirrhosis (serious liver disease) in young people aged 24 to 35 years is related to excessive alcohol consumption.

Similarly, doctors in Bangalore believe that cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in women aged 20 to 40 years have increased by 15% in the last decade. The main reasons for this can be a sedentary lifestyle, consumption of highly processed carbohydrates, and obesity.

Lack of exercise and sitting for long periods can also increase problems for the liver.

Do you also often have jaundice?

Do you know that if liver diseases are detected and treated on time, the risk of serious diseases can be avoided?

However, there are many such signs of liver diseases that we are unable to understand. Recurrent jaundice also indicates liver problems. Pawan Rawal, a liver disease doctor at a private hospital in Gurugram, told Amar Ujala that jaundice is an indication that your liver is not completely fine.

Due to problems in the liver, the amount of a substance called bilirubin increases. Normally, our liver keeps processing bilirubin (waste product generated by the breakdown of red blood cells), however, due to problems in the liver, it gets disturbed, and bilirubin increases. This is why you may see yellowness in the skin and eyes.

Dr Pawan explains frequent jaundice can be considered a marker of liver problems. If you also have this problem, then consult a doctor immediately. By treating it on time, you can avoid serious liver problems.

To keep the liver healthy, everyone should keep paying serious attention to some other things.

Active lifestyle: Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

Healthy diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein.

By staying away from alcohol, you can reduce the risk of many types of diseases.

It is also important to keep weight under control. Weight gain can also increase the risk of liver problems.

The increasing incidence of liver diseases in young people under the age of 30 is related to lifestyle, diet and mental stress. Improvement in this is very necessary.

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