Guest guest Posted February 2, 2004 Report Share Posted February 2, 2004 LIVER DISEASES The liver is the largest organ in the body (not including the skin) and has the widest variety of functions. It metabolizes carbohydrates, fats and proteins, processes vitamins, regulates blood clotting mechanisms, and detoxifies the blood by filtering drugs (including alcohol), hormones, microbes and other toxins. According to The American Liver Foundation, 25 million Americans are or have been affected by liver or biliary (bile-related) diseases. What diseases affect the liver? Alcoholic Liver Disease Chronic, heavy alcohol use is the leading cause of illness and death from liver disease in the United States. More than 2 million Americans suffer from alcoholic liver disease. The liver is capable of regenerating and repairing itself, however long-term alcohol abuse can lead to permanent damage and liver disease. There are three phases to alcoholic liver disease: Fatty liver - a reversible, non-life threatening condition that is caused from the accumulation of fat in the liver cells. There are typically no symptoms. The abstinence of alcohol can reverse this condition, but if excess alcohol use continues, it can lead to a more serious liver disorder known as cirrhosis. Alcohol hepatitis – or liver inflammation. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin), fever, elevated white blood cells and an enlarged, painful liver. Cirrhosis – a progressive disease causing the destruction of liver cells, leaving nonfunctioning scar tissue. This condition is not completely reversible, but if drinking ceases, the liver may repair itself (except for the scarred cells). However, if the person continues to drink, cirrhosis can lead to death. Symptoms may be nonexistent in mild forms of cirrhosis. In more advanced cases, people experience jaundice, weight loss, malnutrition, esophageal varices (bleeding of varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus), accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), and hepatic encephalopathy (a brain disease caused from a build up of waste products in the bloodstream that the liver is not able to detoxify). What can I do to prevent liver injury from alcohol? The most effective preventive measure is to avoid alcohol altogether. However, if you do drink, keep your alcohol intake " moderate " : no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. This limit is based on the differences between men and women both in weight and the way they metabolize alcohol.) A standard drink in the U.S. is 15 grams of alcohol. This is equivalent to: 5 oz. of wine 12 oz. Beer 1.5 oz. of 80-proof distilled spirits (whisky, vodka, gin, scotch, rum or brandy) For those who consume heavy amounts of alcohol, complete abstinence of alcohol is your best option to prevent further damage to your liver. Seek professional guidance such as Alcoholics Anonymous to help you handle your drinking problem. Hepatitis occurs in many forms Hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver from any cause. Viral hepatitis is typically caused by other viral infections, such as mononucleosis, salmonellosis and malaria, or from a virus that directly affects the liver. Non-viral hepatitis can result from a reaction to alcohol or drugs. Hepatitis can be acute (less than six months) or chronic. There are also several different forms of hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Each one can cause acute hepatitis, but they differ in mode of transmission and incubation period, as well as the degree and continuation of liver damage. Most cases of acute hepatitis do not require treatment. After a few days, symptoms are usually improved and most people can return to work after the jaundice clears. Viral Hepatitis Hepatitis A There are from 125,000-200,000 cases of Hepatitis A per year in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). About 100 people die each year due to rapid and severe onset. Hepatitis A is spread from oral-fecal transmission, commonly as a result of contamination of food or water by someone with hepatitis A (usually from poor hygiene or lack of sufficient sanitary conditions). Eating contaminated shellfish can also be the cause. It is rarely transmitted by blood or plasma. Hepatitis A is usually a benign disease, and only in a few cases does it result in death from liver failure. Hepatitis A has a short incubation period of about 15 to 45 days. Symptoms that occur in the acute stage of the disease (lasting about 2-12 weeks) include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B can produce acute or chronic hepatitis, and progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer. It can also lead to the development of hepatitis D. The CDC estimates that there are about 140,000-320,000 cases each year in the U.S. and about 1-1.25 million carriers of the disease. Hepatitis B causes about 5,000-6,000 deaths per year. It can be transmitted through blood transfusions, intravenous drug use, sexual contact, or from an infected pregnant mother to her fetus. The incubation period is much longer in hepatitis B, ranging from 4- 26 weeks (with an average of eight weeks), and symptoms can last for 4-12 weeks. Symptoms are similar to those in hepatitis A: jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Acute cases will resolve in 95-98 percent of otherwise healthy adults. Only 5-10 percent of people infected with hepatitis B will develop chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis B is less likely than hepatitis C to progress to a chronic infection. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C affects about 36,000 people each year in the U.S. The CDC estimates that more than 85 percent of hepatitis C-infected persons will develop chronic hepatitis, with about 8,000-10,000 deaths per year. Hepatitis C is responsible for many cases of cirrhosis (about 15 percent over a period of 20-30 years) and liver cancer; it is also the leading indication for liver transplantation. The primary route of transmission is from infected blood -- from blood transfusions, hemodialysis, or by sharing needles with intravenous drug users. Sexual transmission is rare. The incubation period for hepatitis C ranges from 15-150 days, with an average of 50 days. Only 25 percent of infections are symptomatic, but the most alarming aspect of hepatitis C is its high rate of persistence and ability to develop into chronic hepatitis. Symptoms are the same as those with hepatitis B: jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Chronic hepatitis C is a slowly progressing disease, destroying liver cells even as infected people remain symptom-free. Diagnosis typically results from a patient complaining of fatigue, a tender liver, or tests showing abnormal liver enzyme levels. Hepatitis D and E Hepatitis D and E are less common forms of hepatitis. Hepatitis D can be either acute or chronic, and the route of transmission is similar to hepatitis B: blood transfusions, intravenous drug use, sexual contact, or from an infected pregnant mother to her fetus. People who develop hepatitis D are those who are also at high risk for hepatitis B, such as intravenous drug users. Hepatitis E is similar to hepatitis A and does not cause chronic hepatitis. This infection occurs mostly in developing countries, such as India, parts of Africa and Mexico. Nutritional Supplements and Liver Health The following are nutrients, botanicals and other compounds that the Polaris CustomPak Program recommends for this specific health condition. These ingredients are included in our product recommendations as part of the Vitamin Advisor Questionnaire. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) - Milk Thistle seeds contain a bioflavonoid complex known as silymarin, responsible for the health benefits of the plant. Milk Thistle extract may protect liver cells by blocking the entrance of toxins, help to remove toxins from liver cells and regenerate liver cells. Milk Thistle extract is commonly recommended to support and maintain liver health. Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) - The dried berries of this Chinese plant have been found to support and maintain the liver in general. Maitake (Grifola frondosa) - This Japanese mushroom has immune- enhancing properties. Olive leaf extract - Recent research conducted in China suggests that this herb supports the immune system. www.drweil.com _________________ JoAnn Guest mrsjoguest DietaryTipsForHBP http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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