|
| TEN TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LIVER |
Drink alcohol in moderation - especially if you are a woman. While
alcoholism is more common among men, it has been demonstrated that women
are more susceptible to the adverse consequences of alcohol on the liver.
?In fact, it takes as little as 20 grams of daily alcohol ingestion
(approximately 1 and a half cans of beer per day) for women to develop
significant liver problems.
-
Maintain normal weight. It is estimated that approximately one-third
of Americans are obese, and that approximately 75 percent of obese people
have a fatty liver - a liver disease that may lead to cirrhosis, liver
failure and liver cancer.?
-
Avoid cigarette smoking. Smoking should be terminated, as it has
been linked to the development of liver cancer and may enhance the toxic
effects of some medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) on the
liver.?
Avoid sushi or raw or partially cooked mollusks (clams, oysters,
mussels, and scallops), as these fish often live in hepatitis A contaminated
rivers and seas. Or, even better- consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine.?
-
Practice safe sex. Protect yourself from hepatitis B and C. Not engaging
in unprotected sex will greatly reduce the likelihood of infection with
hepatitis B. While the risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C is
rare, protected sex is recommended if a person engages in anal sex,
has multiple sexual partners, has frequent prostate infections, has
open cuts or sores on the genitalia, or is menstruating.
-
Avoid recreational drug use. Intravenous drug use is a common mode
of hepatitis B and C transmission. If you currently use Intravenous
drugs do not share needles – take advantage of a needle exchange
program. Marijuana smoking has been shown to increase the risk of liver
scarring in those who have hepatitis C.
-
if you have ever experimented with intravenous drugs, even just once,
and even if it was many years ago, or if you have had a blood, blood
product transfusion or organ transplant prior to 1992 -- get tested
for hepatitis C. And, if you already have hepatitis C - consider getting
treated - it can be cured if caught in time!?
-
If you have ever been told that something is wrong with your liver,
if even you feel fine - see a liver specialist (hepatologist). Signs
and symptoms of liver disease and hepatitis are not always present -
sometimes even when the liver has suffered severe damage.
Do not share toothbrushes, razors or other personal items with anyone.
These may be routes of transmission of hepatitis B or C.
- Anyone who intends to get a tattoo or have a body part pierced should
make sure that they deal only with establishments that are clean and
that adhere to meticulous sterilization practices.?
|
|