3 Reasons Why Liver Diseases Are on The Rise
The liver is the most vital organ of our body and yet it is given the least respect.
Considered one of the largest organs of the body it works as a jack of all trades.
Storing, releasing glucose as and when required to fight infections and removing bacteria from the blood are some of the major functions performed by the liver.
In the twenty-first century, more and more younger people are being diagnosed and dying from various problems relating to damage of the liver like liver cancer, cirrhosis, or scarring.
Pictorial representation of a liver with gallbladder. Image Credits: Medical graphics
Symptoms of Liver Disease
The early symptoms of liver failure are often like those of liver diseases. Liver failure can thus be difficult to diagnose at first.
Early symptoms:
Nausea
Fatigue
Appetite loss
Diarrhoea
As the condition of the liver deteriorates, the symptoms get serious and need to be attended to quickly. Some of the symptoms include:
Jaundice
Bleeding
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Exhaustion
Causes
1. Infection
Microscopic image of a virus that causes infection. Image Credits: Pixabay
Inflammation caused in the stomach due to various bacteria and parasites reduces the functioning capacity of the liver.
These viruses are transmitted when an infected person encounters another, via flow of blood, semen, or consumption of contaminated water.
Hepatitis viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, and C are popularly known to cause liver diseases.
2. Immune System Abnormality
Autoimmune diseases tend to affect the liver majorly. These diseases are when the immune system of the body attacks other parts of the body.
Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include:
Genetics
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cholangitis
When an abnormal gene enters the body from either of the parents, they tend to build various substances in the liver that can cause serious damage.
Genetic liver diseases include:
Hemochromatosis
Wilson’s disease
3. Alcoholism
This is the major reason why most millennials are suffering and dying from liver disease.
A research analysis revealed that the number of deaths from liver illnesses have increased alarmingly, in young people.
Though there could be a number of reasons for this like obesity and other viruses, the reason was increased consumption of alcohol.
The rise in alcohol related deaths is due to rising rates of binge drinking for the past decade and more.
This can be linked to the global financial crisis. Due to loss of opportunity, and the stress that comes along drives most people to abusive drinking.
Your Liver Only Lives Once
This biological wonder maintains chemical levels in the blood. It secretes a clear yellow or orange fluid called bile.
Bile is required by the body for digestion and absorption. It also breaks down harmful substances, excreted into the bile or blood.
Blood that leaves the stomach and intestine passes through the liver.
The liver processes this blood to create nutrients for the body to take in..
Conditions that damage the liver result in scarring, which can be life threatening.
Millennials And Liver Diseases
Americans aged 25 to 34 show the greatest increase in deaths driven by alcohol related liver damage, nearly 11 percent increase per year from 2009 to 2017.
Excessive body weight among young people due to unhealthy eating habits may also be a factor in rising liver disease.
It is known that obesity compounds the toxicity of alcohol and together they aid to cause fatty liver disease.
Liver-related illnesses are becoming increasingly prevalent with almost a 43% rise in liver diseases since 2000.
Prevention
Drink alcohol in moderation.
Get vaccinated for hepatitis.
Take prescription and non-prescription drugs only when needed and recommended.
Keep your food safe. Washing hands before preparing food is a must.
Avoid being in touch with blood of other people or any other body fluid.
Protect your skin from UV rays of the sun and other chemicals.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Thus, exercising is very important.