World Liver Day 2023: The liver is one of the most important and complex organs of the human body. Not only does it help digest food, filter toxins, and regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, but it also helps fight certain infections and diseases.
On World Liver Day 2023, let’s pledge to cut down on alcohol consumption as it seriously affects the liver. Although excessive alcohol consumption has the potential to damage nearly all organs, it affects the liver first. According to the World Health Organization, about 330,000 people around the world have died because of alcoholism and this number is increasing.
According to experts, the appearance of liver disease depends on the amount and method of drinking alcohol. For example, if a man consumes 40-80 ml of alcohol per day for 10-12 years, then severe liver disease is developing.
On the other hand, if a person consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, his liver may develop disease sooner.
Stages of liver damage caused by drinking too much alcohol
1- Alcoholic fatty liver: This is the first stage of liver damage caused by drinking too much alcohol over many years. Excessive amounts of fat accumulate in the liver and hinder its function. This health condition can be reversed if the individual quits drinking.
2- Acute alcoholic hepatitis: This is the second stage of liver damage caused by drinking too much alcohol and leads to rapid liver damage. This health condition can even lead to liver failure and cure depends on the extent of liver damage.
3- Alcoholic cirrhosis: Is the final stage of liver damage caused by uncontrolled alcohol consumption. This is the most severe form of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), in which the liver is scarred and its functions are severely affected. Liver damage at this stage is permanent and can lead to liver failure and death.
Other causes of liver disease and treatments
Other causes include infection with the Hepatitis B and C viruses, drugs, toxins, and other genetic and metabolic disorders. In recent years, a worrying health condition has developed – Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In NAFLD, fat accumulates in the liver and is accompanied by inflammation, leading to liver damage and cirrhosis.
It should be noted that once cirrhosis occurs, the health condition cannot be restored. Patients may experience jaundice, leg swelling, fluid buildup in the lungs and chest, vomiting, black stools, loss of muscle mass, and significant weakness.
Cirrhosis can affect the function of the brain, kidneys and lungs, thereby causing serious complications that can lead to death. Furthermore, liver cancer can also be detected in some people with cirrhosis.
Treatment for cirrhosis includes limiting salt and fluid intake to reduce swelling in the legs and abdomen, taking medications to reduce the risk of bleeding, and controlling gastrointestinal bleeding. However, as liver disease becomes more severe, treatment is limited and less effective.
Another treatment option for patients with severe liver damage is a liver transplant, in which the damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver. The donor can be a family member with a matching blood type or a cadaveric donor, in which the liver of a brain-dead donor is used to replace a diseased liver.
Prevention tips
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle.
- Regular liver disease screening
- Optimize care for conditions that can lead to liver disease
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Be careful with taking medicine.
READ | World Liver Day 2023: Quotes, Messages, Liver Cleansing Tips, Liver Functions, Diseases, etc.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn