Liver disease is more at risk in people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle. When the liver is severely damaged, liver function can be permanently impaired. Therefore, it is important for you to take some simple steps as a way to prevent liver disease.
The liver is an organ that functions to help the digestive process and cleanse the body of toxic substances. This organ also plays an important role in forming the immune system and the process of blood clotting.
When exposed to liver disease, the function of this organ will be disturbed and can cause serious health problems. That is the reason why it is important for everyone to always maintain a healthy heart.
Various Causes of Liver Disease
Liver disease can be caused by many things, including:
1. Eating too much sugar
The liver does need sugar in the form of fructose to produce fat. However, if the intake of sugar is too much, this can cause the accumulation of fat in the liver and increase the risk of developing a liver disease called liver disease non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
2. Overweight
In addition to excess sugar, obesity or being overweight can also increase the risk of fat accumulation in the liver. If not treated properly, obesity can cause serious liver damage, including cirrhosis.
A person can become obese, if they consume too many high-calorie foods or drinks and contain lots of sugar and trans fat or saturated fat. These foods can be fried foods, cakes, ice cream, fast food, and soft drinks.
3. Excess fat soluble vitamins
The amount of intake of fat-soluble vitamins that are too high, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, can make these vitamins accumulate in the body and trigger poisoning. This condition can cause damage to the liver.
Ideally, the recommended daily intake of vitamin A for adults is 600–700 micrograms, 15 micrograms of vitamin D and vitamin E, and 55 micrograms of vitamin K.
4. Use of unsterile needles
Liver disease, such as hepatitis, can occur as a result of infection with hepatitis viruses, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. These infections generally occur as a result of using unsterilized needles or sharing with other people.
In addition, the hepatitis virus can also be transmitted through physical contact with patients exposed to the virus, exposure to bodily fluids of hepatitis patients, such as blood, saliva, urine, and through risky sexual relations, namely unprotected sex and frequent change of partners.
5. Side effects drugs
Almost all the drugs you take are processed in the liver. If the drug is taken in too high a dose or used for too long, this can have a risk of causing side effects in the form of impaired liver function.
Therefore, you need to read the instructions for using the drug carefully and take the medicine according to the doctor's recommendations or recommendations.
6. Excessive consumption of herbal supplements
The lure of quality herbal or natural supplements still does not guarantee the complete safety of these products. Some herbal supplements that claim to improve liver function have also not been medically proven.
On the other hand, some herbal medicines, such as cascara, chaparral, comfrey, kava, and ephedra, it can harm the liver. So, you should be careful in taking herbal supplements, especially if you suffer from certain diseases.
How to Prevent Liver Disease
Because the function of the liver is so important for the health of your body and your life, it is imperative that this organ is always kept healthy. To prevent liver disease and maintain the health of this organ, you can do the following tips:
- Maintain ideal body weight by limiting calorie intake and regular exercise.
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet and stay away from alcoholic beverages.
- Use condoms when having sex and avoid changing sexual partners.
- Get immunizations to protect the liver, namely hepatitis B vaccination.
- Take medicines according to the dosage. Consult your doctor if you want to take herbal supplements along with medicines.
- Stay away from drugs, especially injecting drugs that are used together with other people. Avoid using needles that are not sterile.
- Use personal protective equipment, such as masks, long-sleeved clothing, and gloves, and make sure the room is well ventilated when spraying chemicals, such as household cleaners, insecticides, fungicides, and paints.
In addition, it is also important for you to have regular health checks or medical check-up regularly to the doctor to ensure liver function remains good.
Liver organs that are already seriously ill can be permanently damaged so that they cannot return to their original health. That is why it is important for you to always maintain a healthy liver and take various steps to prevent liver disease above.
If you are a person who is at high risk of developing liver disease or already experiencing symptoms of liver disease, such as yellow skin and eyes, swollen stomach, tired easily, or frequent infections, immediately consult a doctor to undergo an examination and get the right treatment.
