Are you taking care of your "Liver" ?

Liver Health

Are you taking care of Your Liver?


    The Liver is a large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrates and fats;synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of blood; synthesis vitamin A; detoxifies poisonous from the body.

The Liver does the following functions:

• Stores iron and vitamins
• Controls infections
• Make bile (help digest your food)
• Detoxify poisonous chemicals
• Store energy
• Make blood
• Make new proteins
• Remove poisons (air, exhaust smoke and chemicals) from your body
• Removes bacteria
• Regulates blood clotting (stops bleeding)
• Defend your immune system 

What is Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Cirrhosis of the Liver is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver. 

Cirrhosis of the Liver is the twelfth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Cirrhosis affects men slightly more than women.

Causes and Complications of Cirrhosis of the Liver?

• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Bruising and bleeding
• Edema and ascites
• Chronic hepatitis C
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Jaundice
• Gallstones
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Obesity  
• Splenomegaly
• Sensitivity to medications

Symptoms of Cirrhosis: 

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and bloating when fluid accumulates in the abdomen
• Itching
• Spider like vessels on the skin

Cirrhosis in the beginning stage has no symptoms

How to protect your Liver?

• Eat a nutritious diet
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not use illicit drugs
• Take prescription medication as prescribed
• Be careful of inhaling aerosol sprays (bug, insecticides, mildew, paint sprays etc.)
• Be careful for what touches your skin

Get tested through blood screening, liver biopsy or body imaging to identify any trouble

For more information go to http://www.webmd.com/, http://www.liverfoundation.org,%20www.hepfi.org/, http://www.unos.org/,  http://www.medlineplus.gov/, http://www.ask.com/


Live well
Doc V