If the liver is ill, this can be due to too much alcohol. However, this is only one of the possible causes. Hepatitis viruses and fatty liver are also a growing concern.
Berlin – It is commonly said that the liver grows with its tasks. However, this does not mean that the central metabolic organ of the human body should be overtaxed. After all, life without the liver, which takes on many vital tasks, is simply not possible. It is not enough, just on the own alcohol consumption, such as on New Year’s Eveto pay attention.
The liver is the central metabolic organ in humans – the disease can often be felt for years
“The liver is involved, among other things, in regulating the fat and sugar metabolism as well as the mineral and vitamin balance and stores important nutrients such as sugar, fats, vitamins and minerals,” says Markus Cornberg from the German Liver Foundation, classifying the importance of the organ.
As a detoxification center, the liver filters pollutants from the blood. In addition, it forms many vital substances such as proteins, which are important for blood clotting, among other things. If the liver is diseased, you can often sense or feel it for years. “When symptoms occur such as tiredness or poor concentration, they are often very unspecific,” says Ingo van Thiel from the German Liver Aid in this context.
Water belly, vomiting blood, brain disorders: what are the symptoms of liver disease
You have to take into account that the liver does not feel pain. “But some patients have pressure pain in the upper right abdomen when the liver is enlarged and pressing on the surrounding tissue,” notes van Thiel. Typical symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes would only occur in comparatively few people.
“In the final stage, however, severe symptoms such as a watery stomach, sudden hemorrhage or brain disorders are possible,” says van Thiel. And some of those affected would only then realize that they are ill. Liver disease does not necessarily have to be attributed to alcohol abuse. Because alcohol is “only” one of the three main causes. Hepatitis viruses B and C as well as fatty liver can often be used as a reason.
“Fatty Liver Disease Due to Metabolic Syndrome”: How Coffee Can Help In This Case
Anyone who thinks that the liver stays healthy by “only” avoiding schnapps, wine or beer is mistaken. Smoking also attacks the organ. In addition, you should avoid too many sugary sodas and juices, as they can accumulate fat in the liver. This is how the previously mentioned fatty liver develops. “We are very concerned about fatty liver disease caused by the metabolic syndrome,” says liver aid expert van Thiel.
The combination of obesity, high blood pressure and sugar and lipid metabolism disorders can cause the liver to become seriously ill. And so far there are no drugs against fatty liver. After all, coffee can help, for example. “It has a protective effect and can cause liver values to drop,” says Cornberg. This would reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cell cancer.
Fighting liver disease: Pay attention to a “balanced diet” and “active lifestyle” in advance
Prevention with a kind of liver cure or diet is not possible for people with a healthy organ. But: “A balanced diet with fresh and natural foods and an active lifestyle are still beneficial,” says Cornberg about the right way to deal with the liver.
If liver disease already exists, the right diet can play an important role. “This applies, for example, to those affected by storage diseases such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease, to patients with liver cirrhosis and to people with fatty liver disease,” says Cornberg.
Prevention of liver inflammation by hepatitis viruses possible
However, prevention is possible in the case of liver inflammation with the hepatitis viruses A, B, C or D. Anyone aged 35 or older can have a one-off free hepatitis B and C health check-up. There are vaccinations against the A and B viruses. And these vaccinations are “safe, well tolerated and offer reliable protection against these viral infections,” explains Cornberg. In addition, vaccination against hepatitis B would also protect against infection with the D virus.
Eventually, both could become chronic and eventually lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cell cancer. “This vaccination is therefore also a vaccination against Krebs‘ the doctor states. However, there is still no vaccination against hepatitis C. But: “This disease can now be cured in almost all patients with almost no side effects”.