More than 30% of Veterans have risk factors for liver disease, and liver disease is increasing globally.
Your liver works hard to keep you healthy so it’s important to take care of your liver – and treat it right! Read how later in this article.
What Does My Liver Do for Me?
Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It is responsible for many vital functions, including:
- digesting what you eat and drink,
- filtering chemicals, toxins and medicines from your blood,
- balancing your blood sugar levels, and
- making proteins for your immune system to fight germs
How Does a Liver Become Unhealthy?
Your liver can be hurt by many things including viruses, alcohol, medications, mushrooms and herbs. Liver cancer, inherited diseases or certain chronic conditions like obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes can also affect the liver.
(Where?) Many people with liver problems will have no symptoms at all and may not even know they have a problem. When severe, symptoms do develop and can include:
- swelling of the abdomen or pain under the ribs on the right side,
- fever,
- dark urine or pale-colored stools,
- yellow skin, eyes, and tongue,
- nausea or vomiting, and
- tiredness or weakness.
How Can I Keep My Liver Healthy?
Here are several tips based on guidance from the American Liver Foundation and suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for keeping your liver healthy:
- Manage your medications. Talk to your health care provider about each medication you’re taking, about the dosage and whether or not it’s OK to take them together. Taking too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can hurt the liver.
- Prevent hepatitis A, B and C. Untreated, viral hepatitis can lead to serious liver problems, like scarring or cancer. Talk to your health care provider about your risk for hepatitis and what preventive steps you can take to avoid it. Vaccines can prevent hepatitis A and B, and there are medications that can treat hepatitis B and C.
- Understand the effects of alcohol. Consuming alcohol can cause liver damage, cirrhosis of the liver and even liver cancer. Liver specialists agree that liver disease is likely for women who consume two or more units of alcohol on a regular basis and for men who consume three or more.
- Maintain a healthy weight. One of the fastest-growing forms of liver disease is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition where too much fat builds up in your liver. For people who are overweight, losing 5% to 10% of your body weight (about 10 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds) can help reduce the extra fat in your liver, improve your blood sugar, and take stress off your internal organs. Check out the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) MOVE! Weight Management Program if you need help getting your weight under control.
- Exercise regularly. When you exercise, it helps your body burn fat and reduce the amount stored in your liver, lowering your risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The CDC recommends 60 to 150 minutes of activity (moderate aerobic exercise for 30 minutes five days a week or vigorous exercise for 20 minutes three days a week) for adults 18 to 65 each week. Fit and active people have 50% reductions in their chance of cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, and any amount of exercise increases lifespan.
- Eat a balanced diet. High-fiber foods, fruits and veggies, and whole grains are all full of nutrients you need for a healthy liver. If you need help creating a nutrition plan that meets your health goals, learn more about how a VA registered dietician nutritionist can help.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking is not only harmful to your lungs, it causes several health problems, including damage to your liver. Cigarettes contain toxins that can cause liver scarring, and smoking is another risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. VA has several resources to help you quit.
- Be careful what you breathe. The liver has to detoxify what you breathe in, so be careful when you’re using bug sprays, paint sprays, insecticides or other chemical sprays or cleaners. When you do use aerosols, wear a mask and be sure the room is well-ventilated.
- Get regular checkups. Routine checkups are an important part of your health and wellness routine and can help you detect health problems early on. Be open about sharing changes to your health, any new symptoms you’re experiencing or anything else that might be important to disclose. You can discuss a liver function test if you’re worried about the health of your liver.
You or your loved ones may be at risk for liver disease. Use these tips to reduce your risk and keep your liver healthy!