Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It has many functions. It stores energy, iron, vitamins and minerals. It produces new proteins as well as bile which is necessary for digesting your food. It detoxifies and filter off poisonous chemicals such as inhaled smoke, alcohol and drugs. It regulates the blood clotting mechanism and helps to defend your body against germs. In fact, your liver is very hardworking and it does all its work without complaints. Even when it is not well, it does not give you any warning. That is why liver disease can fatal. Liver diseases can strike without any warning.
Signs of Liver Disease
A healthy liver can become permanently damaged without you knowing it. Fatty liver is one of the early warning sign of liver damage. Fatty liver occurs when there is excessive amount of fat accumulated inside the liver cells. There are several causes of fatty liver. Obesity, hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. This affects people who consume little or no alcoholic drinks. The good news is that there is normally no liver damage and a complete recovery is possible.
Liver fibrosis occurs when scar tissue forms. Recovery is still possible at this stage but the scar tissue will remain. Cirrhosis is when the liver cells are destroyed. The damage is irreversible.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH is caused by obesity, malnutrition and Type 2 diabetes. In some cases, NASH can lead to cirrhosis, which can produce irreversible liver damage or lead to liver cancer.
Finally, there is alcohol steotosis, which is caused by alcohol abuse. Not only the liver are damaged but all body organ including the brain are affected.
How To Take Good Care of Your Liver
Here are a few pointers of taking good care of your liver
Avoid alcoholic drinks or drink in moderation. Do not abuse alcohol.
Do not abuse drugs. Take medicine as prescribed by the manufacturer or your doctor.
Avoid too much fatty and oily food. Maintain a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Protect yourself with mask and respirator when handling chemical sprays such as insecticide and paint.
Avoid skin contact with dangerous chemical including horticultural insecticides. Be aware of the warning label on such products.
