img11 820x410 - Liver Disease and Preventative Measures

Liver Disease and Preventative Measures

A diseased liver is no laughing matter, especially if you were born with liver problems. Unfortunately, congenital liver issues cannot be cured, however, as and when symptoms arise they can be treated. If you have a family history of liver disease and are worried that you are susceptible to this later on in your life, there are preventative measures that you can take to avoid history repeating itself.

Healthy Weight

A healthy, high-fibre, low-fat diet will help keep the unwanted body weight at bay. This is beneficial in avoiding fat accumulation in the liver which can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver syndrome.

Good Hygiene

Back in your childhood days, it was probably annoying when your mom made you wash your hands before eating your meals or after you’d visited the toilet. Well, she was right, you know. This sort of good hygiene aids in the prevention of hepatitis A. This type of liver disease is contracted and spread by the exposure to infected feces. Wash your hands!

Vaccinations

For preventative measures, you can get your hands on vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. These injections contain donated blood full of immunoglobulins.

Stay Protected

Hepatitis B and C are particularly contagious and are blood-borne. Coming into contact with the blood of an infected person, unprotected sex, the use of unsterilized needles, and the sharing of needles with recreational drug use are a just a few things that can lead to disaster.

Avoid Overdosing and Recreational Drug Use

Doctors these days always warn against the mixing of medications and alcohol. However, the most abused over-the-counter medicine is paracetamol which is used as a painkiller. Lethal doses of this medicine can result in liver failure which can have fatal consequences.

Drug abuse is on the rise every year. Illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, meth, and other drugs can cause detrimental and sometimes irreversible liver damage.

Keep It In Moderation

Heavy alcohol consumption over a long period of time can result in many things namely inflammation and liver tissue scarring which as a result causes cirrhosis. Everyone’s alcohol tolerance levels are different, however, moderate consumption of alcohol for men and women should be adhered to as much as possible. Abstain if need be.

Every part of the human body is as important as the oxygen that we breathe. Just like we take the necessary measures to decrease levels of air pollution in our cities, we must have the exact same attitude towards our bodies. Protect your liver as prevention is better than cure.

img2 820x410 - What You Need To Know About Liver Disease

What You Need To Know About Liver Disease

The liver is one of the largest organs in the human body. Functions of the liver include the production of bile, extra glucose storage, the production of amino acids, and metabolizing medication. Disturbances in liver functions result in varying liver diseases.

Liver disease symptoms include nausea, vomiting, jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, and weakness. There are multiple liver diseases namely cholestasis, compromised blood flow, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. The most common of these is hepatitis which is the inflammation of liver cells.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis A

This is a viral infection caused by fecal-oral ingestion. For example, not washing your hands every time you go to the toilet.

Hepatitis B

Spread by exposure to bodily fluids such as sharing dirty needles or sexual contact. An acute infection at first, but it can progress to chronic hepatitis which results in liver cancer or cirrhosis.

hepa - What You Need To Know About Liver Disease

Hepatitis C

This causes chronic hepatitis, however, is also spread through exposure to bodily fluids through sexual contact and contaminated blood.

Hepatitis D

This disease thrives in association with hepatitis B as well as being spread through bodily fluids.

Hepatitis E

Result of the consumption of contaminated food and water. These cases mostly occur in rural areas.

Other Liver Diseases

Cholestasis

This is caused by bile flow obstruction. The bile ducts become blocked and the build-up of bile in the liver causes jaundice.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

This is caused by the inflammation of the liver from alcohol consumption. Most likely occurs from heavy alcohol consumption, however, moderate alcohol drinkers can develop the disease too.

Cirrhosis

Also known as fibrosis, as more scar tissue develops on the liver, the harder it is for the liver to repair itself. There are no clear symptoms of the disease, however, if detected early, the progression of cirrhosis can be slowed down.

The treatment of liver disease is possible with medication and different vaccines. However, liver failure can only be treated with a liver transplantation. It is important for one to eat healthily, drink clean water daily, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and practice hygienic measures to protect the liver.