October is National Liver Awareness Month

Liver diseases, including Hepatitis, are among the seven leading causes of death in the United States. There are numerous diseases that affect the liver resulting from viral infections, genetics, trauma, or behavioral and environmental risk factors. We do not mean to delve into all of these conditions, but in honor of National Liver Awareness Month, we wanted to point out some ways you can keep your liver healthy as well as discuss one of the leading causes of liver failure, Hepatitis B and C.

An Ounce of Prevention

Some serious cases of liver disease can be prevented through behavioral modification. The liver acts as a filter assisting in the elimination of toxins from the body. Every substance that enters the body will pass through this organ. If the liver fails to function properly, toxins will build up in the body resulting in a variety of ill health effects. With such an important job to do, it is important to keep your liver performing at its peak. The ingestion, absorption, or inhalation of too many toxins can overload the liver hindering it from functioning efficiently. To prevent overtaxing you liver, avoid the following situations:

1. Taking unnecessary medications.
2. Mixing certain medications - in combination, these may cause harm to your liver. Make sure your doctor knows what medications you are currently taking.
3. Street drug use.
4. Excess alcohol - if you drink, limit to 1-2 drinks per day.
5. Mixing drugs and alcohol.
6. Using aerosol cleaners, bug prays, spray paint, and other chemical sprays in poorly ventilated areas.
7. Letting insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals come in contact with your skin (harmful chemicals can be absorbed through your skin.)

For 50 Ways to Love your liver visit: http://www.liverfoundation.org/db/articles/1021

Hepatitis B and C

Over 5 million Americans have Hepatitis B or C, resulting in 13,000 to 15,000 deaths annually. Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can be spread person to person through body fluids including blood and seminal fluid. Therefore, it is important to use caution and common sense regarding intimate contact. Hepatitis B is also found in saliva, and unlike HIV, can be transmitted through this medium with ease. Hepatitis C is primarily spread through direct blood contact and can be transmitted through contaminated needles used for tattooing, body piercing, and IV drug use. Many patients diagnosed with Hepatitis B or C are unaware of how they became infected.

Untreated, chronic hepatitis B and C can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer and is the most frequent reason for liver transplants. A vaccination is available to protect against Hepatitis B. No vaccine is available to prevent Hepatitis C infection and the number of diagnosed cases is on the rise.

Hepatitis Support Groups

Organ Donation

There are currently 80,000 people on the organ transplant list, 1/3 of whom will die waiting for a donated organ to become available. There are 17,000 Americans on the liver transplant list alone, and 800 patients died last year before receiving the liver they so desperately needed. This happens mostly because of the lack of awareness about organ donation. It is vitally important that you consider becoming an organ donor. Once you have made your decision, it is not enough to simply sign a donor card or put a donor sticker on your license. You need to discuss organ donation with your family. They are the ones who ultimately decide whether your organs can be donated and the gift of life can be passed on to someone else. No one can know if or when he/she or a family member might be on a list needing a donor or might be in a position to donate. Talk to your family today.

The American Liver Foundation
http://www.liverfoundation.org

A Personal Look into Patient's Fights Against Liver Disease
http://www.liverfoundation.org/db-list/stories/0/ascend/ID/Validated

For more in-depth information on the above topics, or to read about other causes of liver disease, please visit:
http://www.liverfoundation.org/db-list/articles/1/ascend/ID/Validated