How Skin Conditions Can Signal Liver Damage

With the increasing number of diabetes cases in India, healthcare professionals are growing more concerned about its impact on various organs, particularly the liver. While it’s widely recognized that diabetes can affect the eyes, kidneys, and nerves, the liver remains one of the most commonly affected, yet least understood organs in diabetics.
“Diabetes is a leading cause of liver damage globally. This occurs due to fat accumulation in the liver, which gradually causes harm. Factors like poor diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity exacerbate the condition,” explains.
Unfortunately, early signs of liver damage are often subtle. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or jaundice usually appear when the liver damage is already significant. In response to this, researchers from Fortis C-Doc Hospital, AIIMS, the Diabetes Foundation (India), and the National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC) have identified an early marker of liver damage in Type 2 diabetes patients.
This marker is a skin condition called Acanthosis Nigricans (AN), which manifests as thickened, dark, velvety skin, commonly found at the base of the neck, but can also appear in the armpits, elbows, knees, and groin. The presence of AN is an indicator of a high risk of liver cell damage, prompting the need for immediate medical attention.
A recent ICMR-INDIAB study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, reveals that India now has 101 million people with diabetes and another 136 million with pre-diabetes. “Poor blood sugar control is defined as a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level of 7% or higher. Around two-thirds of diabetics in India have an HbA1C above 8%. The adverse effects of diabetes are not only due to high blood sugar but also due to associated obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, and elevated uric acid levels,” adds Dr. Misra.
Dr. Misra also notes that the two biggest mistakes diabetics make are “neglecting diet and exercise” and “abandoning prescribed medications in favor of alternative therapies.” These actions, often driven by a lack of awareness, can severely impact the quality of life and lead to further organ damage.

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