What you need to know about liver disease
Your liver is a vital organ – as vital as your heart. It’s the largest organ in the body and has an amazing 500 functions. Yet when it comes to keeping it healthy, many of us are either in the dark or wilfully ignorant.
The sad and shocking fact is that, according to the British Liver Trust, liver disease is the biggest cause of death in 35- to 49-year-olds and the third biggest cause of premature death in the UK overall, with 40 people losing their lives to it daily.
Drinking too much alcohol is one of the primary causes of liver disease and, worryingly, the British Liver Trust has seen a 500 per cent increase in calls since lockdown began – an indication of how concerned people are about their escalated drinking levels during lockdown.
But what are the signs of liver disease and what can you do if you’re concerned about your liver health?
We spoke with Mr Charles Imber, Consultant Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Liver Transplant Surgeon at The Princess Grace Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, to find out more.
Types of liver disease
Liver disease is an umbrella term that relates to any condition that affects your liver. There are many different types of liver disease, including viral infections (hepatitis), fat build-up and autoimmune conditions, and these conditions vary in seriousness from mild to severe. In fact, according to Mr Imber, there are more than 100 causes of liver disease.
‘The most common causes in this country are as a result of drinking too much alcohol – alcohol related liver disease (ALD), or being overweight – non-alcoholic related fatty liver disease (NAFLD),’ he reveals. ‘Infective causes of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are also common.’
Liver disease signs and symptoms
Many types of liver disease don’t present any signs or symptoms in the early stages. However, Mr Imber says that early symptoms that can be non-specific include:
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss
Reduction in muscle mass
More specific symptoms of liver disease include:
Tenderness or a hard mass in the right upper quadrant, over the liver area
Visible, spider-like blood capillaries under the skin
Blotchy red palms
Feeling non-specifically unwell
Swelling over the abdomen and ankles
Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
Confusion
Drowsiness
Vomiting blood or passing blood in stools (in severe cases)
Treatment for liver disease
As there are so many different causes of liver disease, treatment can vary widely, too, and what may be the right course of action for one person may not be the right fit for another. Your doctor will be able to discuss the right treatment option with you, based on the cause and severity of your liver disease.
‘The most straightforward way to treat liver disease is avoidance of toxins, such as alcohol,’ says Mr Imber. ‘This can mean complete abstinence. For non-alcoholic related fatty liver disease, loss of weight and fat reduction in the diet is key. And hepatitis C now can now be treated with antiviral medications, while vaccines exist to prevent hepatitis B in high-risk groups.’
Mr Imber says that early detection can be key.
‘Early detection of silent liver cirrhosis in a pre-symptomatic stage can be very important to prevent worsening of severity, and also to screen for the increased risk of primary liver cancer.’
In patients who may experience liver failure, transplant is a common option.
‘In an advanced stage,’ says Mr Imber, ‘liver transplantation can be used to prevent life threatening complications of chronic liver disease and extend length of life.’
Liver disease prevention
According to the British Liver Trust, a whopping nine out of 10 liver disease cases in the UK could be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes.
To help protect yourself from developing liver damage, you can:
Drink less alcohol
This is a key step in liver disease prevention. The British Liver Trust states that regularly drinking more than the recommended amount over a long period can lead to liver damage, including alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and cancer. If you’re going to drink alcohol, man sure you stick to the following guidelines:
Drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week
Have at least two consecutive alcohol-free days per week
Spread your units out evenly over the week, rather than binge drinking them all at once
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight or obese, fatty deposits can begin to build up in your liver, which can cause inflammation and even scarring. To maintain a healthy weight:
Avoid processed foods and ready meals, which can be high in saturated and trans fats
Drink plenty of water
Eat at least five portions of vegetables and fruit each day (one portion is 80g)
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week (that’s just 30 minutes five time a week) – try brisk walking, jogging, cycling or swimming
Avoid crash diets as they’re unsustainable. Instead, focus on healthy habits that you can stick with for life
Protect yourself from viral infections
If you contract hepatitis B or C, it can lead to long-term liver damage, so it’s important to keep yourself safe. To help protect yourself…
Use a condom when you have sex
Don’t share razors, toothbrushes or nail scissors
If you are going to take drugs, never share equipment (including rolled up bank notes)
Ensure any tattoos or piercings you have done are carried out at licensed studios using sterile equipment
Keep wounds covered during sports
More information
For further help, advice and information, please visit The British Liver Trust. You can also email them for advice and support by contacting helpline@britishlivertrust.org.uk, or by calling the nurse-led helpline on 0800 652 7330 (10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays).
Last updated: 23-09-2020
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