World Liver Day is a global initiative observed on April 19 every year to raise awareness about liver health and promote liver disease prevention and treatment.
This year themed “Be vigilant, get regular liver check-ups, and prevent fatty liver diseases”, this focuses on nurturing healthy livers and building healthy futures for individuals and communities worldwide.
One of the most important organs in vertebrate species according to experts is the liver which facilitates food digestion, provides the body energy, and ensures dangerous substances are flushed out.
The liver, a vital organ nestled beneath the ribcage, plays a paramount role in maintaining the body’s equilibrium. As the largest internal organ, it engages in a myriad of functions crucial to our well-being. The liver is responsible for metabolizing nutrients, detoxifying harmful substances, and synthesizing essential proteins, contributing significantly to overall metabolic harmony.
This vital organ often referred to as the body’s chemical factory is responsible for numerous metabolic functions and is often overlooked until health issues arise, hence, World Liver Day 2024 aims to change this narrative by emphasizing the importance of proactive liver care and disease prevention.
However, when the liver is under stress or facing health issues, it sends out warning signs that should not be ignored. Understanding these signals can help individuals take proactive steps to care for their liver health.
According to Dr. Saleh Alqahtani, Director of Clinical Liver Research for John Hopkins Medicine, individuals should not have to wait for symptoms to appear before paying attention to the possibility of liver disease.
“You don’t want to turn yellow with jaundice or feel pain in your upper right abdomen because those are signs your liver is already very sick,” Dr Alqahtani notes.
“It is far better to stop liver diseases before it gets too serious,” he added.
Experts advise that some of the signs that indicate the liver needs attention:
· Jaundice:
One of the most noticeable signs of liver problems is jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. This occurs when the liver cannot process bilirubin effectively, leading to its build-up in the body.
· Fatigue and Weakness:
Persistent fatigue, weakness, and lack of energy may indicate liver dysfunction. The liver plays a role in energy metabolism, and when it is compromised; individuals may experience ongoing fatigue despite adequate rest.
· Abdominal Pain and Swelling:
Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by swelling or bloating, can be a sign of liver inflammation or enlargement. This may result from conditions such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or liver cirrhosis.
· Fluid retention:
Fluid retention especially in the legs and abdomen can occur due to liver cirrhosis or other liver conditions. This leads to swelling (oedema) and discomfort, requiring medical evaluation and management
· Changes in Urine and Stool Colour:
Dark urine and pale stools may signal liver problems. Dark urine can indicate elevated bilirubin levels, while pale stools may result from reduced bile production or flow.
· Digestive Issues:
Digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss may be related to liver dysfunction. The liver contributes to bile production and digestion, so any disruptions can impact digestive health.
· Skin Changes:
Besides jaundice, liver issues can cause other skin changes, including itching, eczema, spider veins, and bruising easily. These skin manifestations often stem from impaired detoxification and blood clotting functions of the liver.
· Weight Gain and Obesity:
Excess body weight, especially around the abdomen, is a risk factor for developing fatty liver due to increased fat deposition in liver cells.
Recognizing these signals and seeking medical evaluation promptly is crucial for preventing further liver damage and addressing underlying health issues. Hence, the reason Health Experts emphasize the need for routine health check-ups.
Furthermore, adopting a liver-friendly lifestyle can promote liver health and overall well-being. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, limiting alcohol consumption, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, managing stress, and following prescribed medications.
Based on an article by John Hopkins Medicine, just because a supplement is labelled “natural” does not mean it is good for everyone.
According to Dr. Alqahtani, taking more than one medicine or herb that acts on the liver may compound the issue, hence the need to seek doctors’ advice about every medication and supplement to ingest even occasional or over-the-counter remedies.
