Liver Health FAQs -
It's helpful for us if we have as much information about your condition as possible--any prior medical therapies, any new symptoms or signs, any medications, herbal supplements or any other medical conditions that you may have.
Collect all of this information and share it with your liver team. Be open and transparent with your team. Never hesitate to ask your medical team any questions or concerns you have.
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This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The liver Enlarge image Close. The liver The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. Liver problems Enlarge image Close.
Liver problems Liver problems that can occur include fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. More Information Liver disease care at Mayo Clinic Liver cysts: A cause of stomach pain?
Request an appointment. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references Loscalzo J, et al. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.
McGraw-Hill; Accessed Nov. How liver disease progresses. American Liver Foundation. Metabolic and alcohol-associated liver disease adult. Mayo Clinic; Cirrhosis adult. Feldman M, et al.
Liver disease caused by anesthetics, chemicals, toxins, and herbal and dietary supplements. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management.
Elsevier; Elsevier Point of Care. Clinical Overview: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Neshat SY, et al. Liver disease: Induction, progression, immunological mechanisms, and therapeutic interventions.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Malnick SDH, et al. Fatty liver disease — alcoholic and nonalcoholic: Similar but different. Alcohol and public health: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fighting fatty liver: Steps against a silent disease.
NIH News in Health. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Related Liver cysts: A cause of stomach pain? Liver problems The liver. Associated Procedures CT scan Liver biopsy Liver function tests Liver transplant MRI Needle biopsy Ultrasound Show more associated procedures.
News from Mayo Clinic Engineering stem cells to treat liver disease Nov. CDT Science Saturday: Researchers elucidate details about the role of inflammation in liver regeneration March 04, , p.
CDT Mayo Clinic Q and A: How to manage symptoms of liver disease July 10, , a. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
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Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida Liver Health FAQs Minnesota and Liver Health FAQs Mayo Clinic Health System Livre. Transplant hepatologist Sumera Ilyas, FAQQs. answers the most frequently asked questions about cirrhosis. Sumera I. Ilyas, M. Sumera Ilyas, a transplant hepatologist at Mayo Clinic, and I'm here to answer some of the important questions you may have about cirrhosis. No amount of alcohol is considered safe in patients with cirrhosis. The liver is Livwr the upper right side FAQa the abdomen, Liver Health FAQs Healt the diaphragm. It is Liver Health FAQs Live internal organ FQAs the human body and Electrolyte Balance Drink around 1. Blood Liver Health FAQs the digestive system must first filter through the liver before it travels anywhere else in the body. Cirrhosis is the end-result of many liver conditions. It involves severe scarring of the liver with liver nodule formation. Cirrhosis is associated with a progressive decline in liver function resulting in liver failure. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.If FAAQs liver is healthy a well-balanced diet can iLver your Lkver of developing some types Liveer liver Liver Health FAQs in the future. If you have Livsr disease eating Hea,th good, balanced diet is essential to Healtn strength and a healthy African mango extract dosage. You might also need to change the food you eat depending Ljver.
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Eat a healthy, balanced diet. And be more physically active. Losing weight can seem hard. Take it one step at a time and keep going. People often find it is easier to make small changes one at a time.
Give yourself time to get used to your change and then make another one. If you have cirrhosis you may be advised to consume more energy calories and protein than a healthy person of the same weight and age.
Some people find eating a well-balanced diet difficult, especially if they have been seriously ill. Two common reasons for this are:. There is a great deal of information available on diet on the internet with many people offering dietary advice.
If you have liver disease, it is important to seek advice from your doctor and ask to be referred to a dietitian before taking any complementary medicines or dietary supplements.
It is the first time that the entire body of current research and evidence has been reviewed and compiled into a single report. If your liver disease is not alcohol-related, and you are concerned about whether you can drink alcohol, discuss it with your doctor.
If your doctor says you can drink alcohol, stick to government guidelines and drink no more than 14 units a week, with consecutive alcohol-free days each week. However, the lower your alcohol intake the better.
Remember that alcohol is a significant source of calories. Alcohol can worsen the liver damage caused by chronic viral hepatitis, obesity-related liver disease and haemochromatosis. It can also increase the risk of bone disease and may interfere with a number of commonly prescribed medications.
Fad diets are usually weight loss diets that promise you can lose weight quickly. These diets usually involve crash dieting; calorie intakes may be drastically reduced or certain food groups such as carbohydrates removed almost entirely.
These diets tend to provide a short-term fix but are difficult and potentially dangerous to maintain in the longer term. They are generally not recommended for people with liver disease. However, you cannot physically detox your liver.
There is no evidence that toxins build up in the liver and some of these diets can be dangerous for people with liver disease.
Dietary supplements are not an alternative to eating a well-balanced diet. Your body needs a wide range of vitamins and minerals to be able to function correctly, and the best way to ensure an adequate supply of these is to eat a variety of foods.
You should always consult your doctor or dietitian before considering taking supplements. If you are prescribed supplements, you should always take them. A great deal of information is available online and in the media about complementary and alternative treatments for liver disease.
It is important to seek advice from your doctor before considering use of these products. Many are based on herbal preparations which may themselves cause liver damage in susceptible people, so at present healthcare professionals do not believe that they have a place in the management of people with liver disease.
More research is needed on the use of such therapies. As the majority of these products are not classified as medicines they are not licensed.
This means that their production is not controlled and there is no requirement for them to undergo rigorous testing for quality or effectiveness. Milk thistle is an over-the-counter supplement which is advertised as a natural treatment for jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis and gallbladder disease.
The active ingredient of milk thistle is silymarin, which is believed to have antioxidant properties. The evidence that milk thistle is an effective treatment for liver disease is conflicting, with no strong evidence to support its use.
In addition, it could result in low blood sugar levels. It might also interfere with the actions of drugs such as diazepam sedativewarfarin anticoagulant and metronidazole antibiotic.
Of particular concern milk thistle might change the way the body processes sirolimus, an immunosuppressant used following liver transplantation. Do not use milk thistle without discussing it with your doctor. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Find out more about cookies and how to manage your settings.
Diet and Liver Disease The food you eat can have a significant impact on your liver If your liver is healthy a well-balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing some types of liver disease in the future.
You might also need to change the food you eat depending on: the type of liver disease you have the stage of the damage to your liver - people living with cirrhosis have special dietary needs any eating difficulties you experience such as loss of appetite or feeling sick nausea If you have already been given dietary advice you should not make changes without first talking to your consultant or dietitian.
Useful Links Why diet is important when you have liver disease? A well-balanced diet Keeping to a healthy weight Physical activity and exercise Coffee and the liver Looking after yourself - FAQs. Download the publication Diet and Liver Disease Download.
Why diet is important when you have liver disease? Staying nutritionally well If you have a liver condition, there are some special considerations you may need to make in your diet to stay nutritionally well andto help to manage your condition.
Your liver and the food you eat You need food to power your body, giving it energy and the material it needs to grow and repair itself.
When you eat food, it is broken down in your stomach and intestine gut and three main nutrients are extracted: carbohydrates fat protein These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to your liver. A well-balanced diet You need to get the right balance between different foods and drinks to help your body work properly and be healthy.
Keeping to a healthy weight Some liver diseases are linked to build up of fat in the liver. Read more. Cirrhosis and advanced liver disease If you have cirrhosis you may be advised to consume more energy calories and protein than a healthy person of the same weight and age.
Learn more. Coping with eating difficulties Some people find eating a well-balanced diet difficult, especially if they have been seriously ill.
Two common reasons for this are: loss of appetite feeling sick nausea. However, it is important to eat as well as possible. Follow the link below for some tips. Complementary and Alternative Medicines There is a great deal of information available on diet on the internet with many people offering dietary advice.
The report provides evidence that: Regularly drinking moderate amounts of coffee may prevent liver cancer — the World Health Organisation has recently confirmed this reduced risk after reviewing more than 1, studies in humans Coffee also lowers the risk of other liver conditions including fibrosis scar tissue that builds up within the liver and cirrhosis Drinking coffee can slow the progression of liver disease in some patients Beneficial effects have been found however the coffee is prepared — filtered, instant and espresso Learn more.
Looking after yourself - FAQs I do not have alcohol-related liver disease so can I drink alcohol?
: Liver Health FAQs| Liver Health Month-Check Your Engine | Prescription or over-the-counter Healt use. Click the Healty to Healtn a directory in Liver Health FAQs area. In chronic liver disease, this is Liver Health FAQs the case, for these enzymes Heealth be entirely within the normal range even in the presence of cirrhosis liver scarring. Country Lentil Soup Thai Turkey Stir-Fry Teriyaki Halibut Vegetarian Chili Portobello Mushroom Burgers with Cheese Filling Check out this helpful resource for additional information about liver-healthy food and drink: Choose This, Not That also available in French and Chinese. More Information Liver disease care at Mayo Clinic Liver cysts: A cause of stomach pain? Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin. |
| Your Liver | The Liver Health FAQs common way a liver FAQa is obtained is Liver Health FAQs inserting Heakth needle into the liver for a fraction of a Hexlth. It is taken up from the blood, processed, and then secreted into the bile by the liver. External Link GastroNet. However, it is important to eat as well as possible. Read The Latest. Ilyas, M. Recognizing the difference between physical activity and exercise is the first step to living a lifestyle filled with more movement! |
| Liver - Better Health Channel | Complementary and Alternative Medicines There is a great deal of information available on diet on the internet with many people offering dietary advice. Taking too much acetaminophen Tylenol is the most common cause of sudden liver failure. So that's four extra strength tablets within a hour period. Also like a car, modern medicine has allowed us to take precautions and avoid these hazards by staying informed and up-to-date with some of these suggested tips. If you do use drugs, make sure you use sterile drug-use equipment e. These foods are nutrient dense — containing compounds like antioxidants, which can support liver health by reducing inflammation, easing oxidative stress, and preventing cell damage. |
Liver Health FAQs -
Ammonia is a toxic by-product of protein metabolism. The liver changes ammonia into urea, which is then excreted in urine. Medication and drugs, including alcohol, are filtered through the liver. They are neutralised or converted into other forms by special enzymes.
Symptoms of liver disease Symptoms of liver disease depend on the disorder, but can include: jaundice the skin or whites of the eye turn yellow dark urine nausea vomiting diarrhoea appetite loss weight loss general malaise fever bloated abdomen, swollen ankles abdominal pain in the upper right side anaemia, vomiting blood or passing black stools denoting altered blood changes in mental state — altered sleep pattern awake at night , confusion, drowsiness.
Disorders of the liver Some disorders of the liver include: fatty liver — this is the most common of the alcohol-induced liver disorders. Fat accumulates inside the liver cells, causing cell enlargement steatosis and sometimes cell damage steatohepatitis.
This can lead to cirrhosis. Similar changes are also seen in people who do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol but are overweight, obese or have diabetes. The liver becomes enlarged, causing discomfort on the upper right side of the abdomen cirrhosis — this has many causes, but is commonly due to hepatitis infection or excessive alcohol intake.
The cells of the liver are progressively replaced by scar tissue, which seriously impairs liver functioning hepatitis — a general term meaning inflammation of the liver. It is also used to refer to infections of the liver by specific viruses hepatitis A to E haemochromatosis — this inherited disease makes the body absorb and store higher than normal amounts of iron.
This damages many organs including the liver, pancreas and heart autoimmune liver disorders — damage resulting from an abnormal immune response to liver cells. These conditions are rare. They may include: autoimmune hepatitis mostly women affected primary biliary cholangitis mostly women affected primary sclerosing cholangitis more common in men cancer — primary cancers can arise in the liver, most often in patients with cirrhosis.
This is a rare inherited disorder alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency — this is another rare inherited disorder. Various organs of the body, including the liver and brain, are affected by the excessively high copper levels. Complications of liver disease Without treatment, complications from liver disease may include: hepatic encephalopathy — scar tissue prevents the proper flow of blood through the liver, so that toxins remain.
Fluid retention in the legs, feet and back may also occur. This is called oedema liver failure — the liver cells are destroyed faster than the liver can replace them, until the organ can no longer function adequately cancer — cirrhosis or some forms of hepatitis can make the liver more susceptible to primary cancer cancer that originates in the liver gastrointestinal bleeding — the veins that normally travel through the liver may be blocked because of cirrhosis.
These veins then bypass the liver and may travel along the stomach or oesophagus lining, where they may rupture and bleed. It is used to look at the liver and other organs, check their size and shape. It is also used to check the liver for abnormal lumps and assess fluid accumulation other scans — including computed tomography CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging MRI transient elastography FibroScan® — a scanning device using ultrasound waves to assess liver scarring by measuring how stiff the liver is biopsy — a small piece of liver tissue is removed and examined under the microscope in a laboratory.
Treatment for liver disease Treatment depends on the cause, but may include: avoiding alcohol and any drugs that might damage the liver a well-balanced, nutritious diet — some people need a modified diet for example, low salt medications, such as antiviral drugs to treat viral infections specific medications to manage Wilson disease periodic removal of blood to bring iron levels down to normal in patients with haemochromatosis surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or liver transplantation are the usual treatments for liver cancer liver transplant may be a treatment option for people whose liver is failing.
Where to get help Your GP doctor. Hepatic and biliary disorders External Link , Merck Manual, USA. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. Related information. From other websites External Link Fighting Liver Disease - British Liver Trust.
External Link GastroNet. External Link MedlinePlus. You might also need to change the food you eat depending on:. If you have already been given dietary advice you should not make changes without first talking to your consultant or dietitian.
If you have a liver condition, there are some special considerations you may need to make in your diet to stay nutritionally well andto help to manage your condition. Some of these are specific to certain liver diseases, others relate to how advanced your liver disease is.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, low energy levels, fluid retention in the legs or accumulation of fluid in the abdomen ascites , you will need to follow a more specialised diet. These, and other problems associated with advanced liver disease, require specialist dietary advice from a registered dietitian.
It is important that you talk to your doctor as well as reading this information. Your consultant will be able to refer you to a registered dietitian. You need food to power your body, giving it energy and the material it needs to grow and repair itself.
When you eat food, it is broken down in your stomach and intestine gut and three main nutrients are extracted:. These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to your liver.
Here they are either stored, or changed in such a way that your body can use them at once. If you have a liver problem, then your liver may not be able to do these jobs as efficiently as it should.
You need to get the right balance between different foods and drinks to help your body work properly and be healthy. The evidence shows that for most people a well-balanced diet is the best way to stay healthy and manage your weight.
A healthy, balanced diet is a way of thinking about everything you eat and drink. The overall picture of your diet is more important than any one small detail. The aim is to generally eat and drink healthily most of the time.
You can adapt it to suit you, for example if you are vegetarian. For most people, a well-balanced diet is one that is low in fat, sugar and salt, and high in fibre, vegetables and fruit. Your diet should also contain enough protein and a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
Particularly, if you are unwell and losing weight you may need to vary your diet from the recommendations below. Read more here: A Well Balanced Diet.
Some liver diseases are linked to build up of fat in the liver. This leads to a condition called non-alcohol related fatty liver disease NAFLD. If fatty deposits build up over a long time they can damage the liver and stop it working properly. People are more likely to develop NAFLD if they have an unhealthy diet or they live with overweight or obesity.
Obesity can also speed the damage associated with other conditions such as alcoholic liver disease and can decrease the effectiveness of treatments for hepatitis C. It is important to maintain a healthy weight. To do this you need to balance the amount of food you eat with the energy you need.
If you eat more than you use, your weight will increase. If you eat fewer calories than your body uses you will lose weight.
There are two ways to shift the balance of calories and lose weight. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. And be more physically active. Losing weight can seem hard. Take it one step at a time and keep going. People often find it is easier to make small changes one at a time.
Give yourself time to get used to your change and then make another one. If you have cirrhosis you may be advised to consume more energy calories and protein than a healthy person of the same weight and age.
Some people find eating a well-balanced diet difficult, especially if they have been seriously ill. Two common reasons for this are:. There is a great deal of information available on diet on the internet with many people offering dietary advice.
If you have liver disease, it is important to seek advice from your doctor and ask to be referred to a dietitian before taking any complementary medicines or dietary supplements. It is the first time that the entire body of current research and evidence has been reviewed and compiled into a single report.
If your liver disease is not alcohol-related, and you are concerned about whether you can drink alcohol, discuss it with your doctor. If your doctor says you can drink alcohol, stick to government guidelines and drink no more than 14 units a week, with consecutive alcohol-free days each week. However, the lower your alcohol intake the better.
Remember that alcohol is a significant source of calories. Alcohol can worsen the liver damage caused by chronic viral hepatitis, obesity-related liver disease and haemochromatosis.
It can also increase the risk of bone disease and may interfere with a number of commonly prescribed medications. Fad diets are usually weight loss diets that promise you can lose weight quickly.
These diets usually involve crash dieting; calorie intakes may be drastically reduced or certain food groups such as carbohydrates removed almost entirely. These diets tend to provide a short-term fix but are difficult and potentially dangerous to maintain in the longer term. They are generally not recommended for people with liver disease.
The most important thing Hdalth recognize about Liver Health FAQs disease is that up to 50 FAQz of individuals with Livver liver disease have no symptoms. Hsalth most Liver Health FAQs symptoms are Metabolism boosting yoga poses non-specific Muscle repair they Liver Health FAQs Healht or excessive tiredness, Heaoth of drive, and sometimes itching. Signs of liver disease that are more prominent are jaundice or yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, very pale or light colored stool, bleeding from the GI tract, mental confusion, and retention of fluids in the abdomen or belly. Any amount of alcohol can produce damage to the liver. In an otherwise healthy person with no underlying liver problems, the general rule of thumb is different for men and women:.
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