DONT HARM YOUR LIVER

Are you curious to know why someone with a liver problem (impaired liver) showed series of critical conditions that goes beyond the liver? Some knowledge/information about the liver will answer some questions.

The liver is a reddish brown, organ with four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver is not only the heaviest internal organ but the largest gland in the human body (apart from the skin). Personally I call the liver our “metabolic engine” since many of its function are associated with metabolism.

This article will discuss the LIVER as it is a vital organ in which its malfunctioning may lead to serious unhealthy conditions and impaired health that may not make life meaningful for affected individuals.

The liver of man controls major metabolic activities within the body and includes the following functions

• Regulation of blood sugar through carbohydrate metabolism
• Detoxification and converting poisonous substances to harmless substances 
• Regulation of blood protein through deamination, urea formation, transamination
• Production of bile which emulsifies fat
•  Formation of red blood cells
• Production of heat to maintain body temperature
• Regulation  of lipids, converting them to glucose
• Manufacture of essential proteins
• Breakdown of red blood cells
• Storage of vitamins
• Storage of iron
• Reservoir of blood

With the functions highlighted above, it is imperative that we should maintain life styles that will keep the liver in good form. Damage to the liver is a disruption to the normal functioning of metabolic activities in the body.

Some of our lifestyles may affect the proper functioning of vital organs in our body system. To maintain healthy living, healthy lifestyles are required.

Liver disease can be inherited or caused by variety of factors. Certain diseases which can impair the functioning of the liver include:

•     Diabetes mellitus: This is caused by the inability of the liver cells to convert excess glucose in the blood to glycogen. The condition is as a result of the failure of the pancreas to produce a hormone called insulin.   

• Infective hepatitis: This is the inflammation of the liver which may be due to viral infection or toxic substance like poison and drugs. This makes the liver unable to store or convert already stored glycogen into glucose.

• Gall stones: Gall stones are hard objects which are formed in the bile duct and block the passage of the bile. This condition is caused as a result of the precipitation of cholesterol in the gall bladder or bile duct. Obstructive jaundice results where the skin acquires a typical yellow appearance due to retention of the bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood.

• Cancer of the liver: This leads to outgrowth or uncontrollable swelling of cells that will not retain the normal function of the tissue in which they arise. This continuous outgrowth will eventually prevent the liver from performing its normal growth.

• Liver Cirrhosis: This is a serious disease of the liver in which damaged liver cells become replaced by dead and useless fibrous tissue.

                                    

General symptoms of liver disease include:

Ø  Abdominal pain and swelling

Ø  Dark urine colour

Ø  Chronic fatigue

Ø  Yellowish appearance of skin and eye

Ø  Itchy skin

It is agreeable that the aforementioned diseases of the liver are not good wishes for any normal individual. Therefore,

Ø  Limit or avoid alcoholic drinks

Ø  Don’t over stress yourself

Ø  Avoid hard drugs

Ø  Limit fatty food intake

Ø  Quit smoking

Ø  Drink enough water

Ø  Control the frequency of self-medication  especially on OTC drugs like pain relievers

Ø  Eat enough fruits

Ø  Visit your physician (doctor) if you notice any unfamiliar or unusual symptoms 

It is worthy to note that parasites and vectors can also infect the liver, causing inflammation that alters normal functioning of the liver. The viruses involved in liver damage can be spread through contaminated food and water, semen and close contact with the infected person. The viral diseases common to the liver include:

Ø  Hepatitis A

Ø  Hepatitis B

Ø  Hepatitis C

     

 DON’T HARM YOUR LIVER

DON’T HARM YOUR DETOXIFIER

STAY HEALTHY

By Otun Idris (BSc., MSc…)

Scientist; Biologist; Zoologist;

Parasitologist; Academic facilitator; 

Improved Health Advocator;

Public Health Enthusiast; Researcher; 

Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Ambassador (RSTMH)…