'Silent' deadly condition with few early symptoms sending more people to hospital

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A 'silent' condition that is potentially deadly is raising the alarm among health experts, as there are few early symptoms to identify.Charities across the UK are demanding urgent action be taken by people to address the rising hospital admissions amid the rate of liver disease increasing, reports Birmingham Live.Admissions to the hospital where the primary diagnosis was liver disease have risen by 22 per cent in the previous financial year.There were 82,290 admissions in 2022 compared to 67,458 in 2021, some of the latest NHS data showed.It comes amid an increasing trend that has seen hospital admissions due to liver disease rise by almost 47 per cent compared to a decade ago.Worryingly, experts have said that those in more poverty-stricken areas are more likely to be at risk of developing liver disease.The British Liver Trust says liver disease often remains silent in its early stages, "exhibiting minimal to no symptoms".The charity added that the disease is "almost entirely preventable", as major risk factors include obesity, alcohol and hepatitis B and C.These risk factors account for up to 90 per cent of liver disease cases.75 per cent of patients are diagnosed with cirrhosis, which is the most severe form of liver disease, and is often too late for people to receive effective treatment.Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust, said: "These figures once again demonstrate how action is needed."The British Liver Trust is calling for a prompt and comprehensive review of adult liver services to address the huge variation and inequalities in liver disease treatment outcomes and care. "The surge in hospital admissions emphasises the urgent need for immediate action to tackle the growing burden of