Long desk hours, poor sleep driving fatty liver surge in Chennai professionals

Chennai: Long desk hours, irregular sleep, lack of exercise and growing dependence on processed food are triggering a surge in fatty liver disease among Chennai’s young corporate employees. Many patients in their late 20s and early 30s showing significant liver fat accumulation despite having no symptoms, obesity or alcohol history.

Doctors say the biggest concern is that fatty liver often develops silently, with patients remaining symptom-free until the condition is picked up during routine scans. “Most young IT professionals come for a health check-up feeling perfectly normal and are shocked when scans reveal Grade 1 or even Grade 2 fatty liver,” said Dr Rama Krishnan, consultant radiologist at Neuberg Diagnostics.

Explaining the grading, doctors said Grade 1 indicates mild fat accumulation in the liver, Grade 2 reflects moderate or significant fat build-up, while Grade 3 points to severe fatty infiltration that increases the risk of inflammation and liver damage. If left untreated for years, the condition can progress further to fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer.

“On ultrasound, we look for a ‘bright liver’, where the liver appears whiter than the kidney because fat changes the way sound waves are reflected,” said Dr Rama Krishnan. “I have seen 26-year-old software engineers in Chennai with Grade 2 fatty liver despite completely normal blood reports,” he added.

Doctors noted that sedentary work culture, prolonged sitting, irregular sleep cycles and processed food consumption are major triggers among urban professionals. “Even non-drinkers and physically fit people are developing fatty liver. The old assumption that liver disease affects only alcohol consumers or obese individuals is outdated,” said Dr Joy Varghese, director of hepatology and liver transplant surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital.

While ultrasound remains the first screening tool, specialists recommend FibroScan for assessing the severity of fatty liver and detecting early fibrosis. “FibroScan is painless, takes only a few minutes and can identify fatty liver before symptoms appear,” Dr Varghese said.

Doctors stressed that early-stage fatty liver is reversible through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy diet, proper sleep and weight management. They are now urging companies, particularly in the IT sector, to include annual liver screening in routine health check-ups to detect the disease before irreversible damage sets in.

EOM