Friday, March 07, 2014
Canadian Liver Foundation
Face Facts on Liver Disease
Most Canadians are oblivious to their own risks of developing liver disease. Unfortunately, this ‘who me?’ attitude is leading to a rise in complications and deaths due to advanced liver disease. During Liver Health Month, the Canadian Liver Foundation is urging Canadians to recognize that liver disease may have many faces – even their own or someone they love. Read on to learn some important liver facts as part of our 'Face It' campaign.
Face it: Liver disease may already be part of your life
Liver disease comes in over 100 different forms and consequently has millions of different faces. There are babies, children, teenagers, young adults, parents and grandparents with liver disease -- but you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking. Some people with liver disease are reluctant to talk about it while others have no idea that they have it. In order to bring liver disease out into the open, we want Canadians to face the facts.
Fact #1: You or someone you love could have liver disease and not know it.
There is no age limit on liver disease. Infants to adults are affected by liver diseases caused by genetics, viruses, toxins and in some cases, unknown causes.
Fact #2: Liver disease may not have any obvious symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.
Liver disease symptoms are often vague – like feeling like you have the flu – or may not show up at all. Once liver disease progresses it may cause jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes), pain in the abdomen, itchy skin, fatigue or nausea.
Fact #3: Alcohol is not the only thing that can lead to liver disease
Fatty liver disease linked to poor eating habits, lack of exercise and obesity is now the most common form of liver disease in Canada. You can be at risk for liver disease based on your diet, what medications, vitamins and herbal remedies you take, what toxins or viruses you are exposed to and even your DNA.
Fact #4: Simple blood tests can identify liver disease at an early stage.
When there is something wrong with your liver, your blood will show the first tell-tale signs before you feel any physical symptoms.
Fact #5: The most common forms of liver disease can be prevented, treated or, in some cases, even cured.
Cutting down on sugar, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet including lots of fruits and vegetables can help prevent fatty liver disease. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by vaccine while hepatitis C can often be avoided by taking simple precautions. Both hepatitis B and C can be treated. As liver cancer is often the end result of other chronic liver diseases, having other liver diseases treated and, if needed, undergoing regular screening for liver cancer can help protect your liver health.
Fact #6: You can help fight liver disease.
Protect yourself and your family by learning about your own risk factors and asking your doctor for a liver test. Donate or volunteer for the Canadian Liver Foundation to help support liver research and education for the more than 3.5 million Canadians with liver disease.
For more information, please visit www.liver.ca.
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