BY: Isaiah Tolulope Seyide
The liver has two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food.The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions.
Types of liver disease
1) Hepatitis
* Hepatitis is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus which could be easily contracted from a victim through contact of body fluids, either through sexualcontact, blood contact or even saliva.
It could also be contracted if by chance a person consumes the waste passed out from a carrier, Slight contact with these fluids can transmit the disease. If not treated with caution, this hepatitis virus would gradually grow into a more severe state which is know as the Hepatitis B. This is the state which results in scarring of the liver, abnormal functionality of the liver and in due time, liver cancer.
Symptoms of Hepatitis
* Fever
* Dark urine
* Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
* Jaundice
* Abdominal pain
* Clay colored stools
* Loss of appetite
* Vomiting
* Nausea
*Joint pain
* Fatigue
Types of Hepatitis
There are three different types of hepatitis which are ;
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are liver infections caused by three different viruses. Although each can cause similar symptoms, they are spread in different ways and can affect the liver differently. Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection and does not become chronic. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also begin as short-term, acute infections, but in some people, the virus remains in the body, resulting in chronic disease and long-term liver problems. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B, however, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
What is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, short-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death, this is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver diseases.
What is Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person increase your risk of getting hepatitis B
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B
*Abdominal pain
*Loss of appetite
*Unexplained weight loss
*Yellow skin and eye which may be sign of jaundice
*Dark urine
*Fatigue
*Flu-like symptoms
* Pale stool
*Itchy skin
*Muscle or joint aches
* Malaise,or a general feeling of been unwell.
How can Hepatitis B be transmitted
1)Having unprotected sexual intercourse.
2)Sharing needles.
3)Having a tattoo with unsterilized needles.
4)Sustaining accidental skin pricks with medical equipment.
5)Sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor.
6)Breastfeeding, if the mother has the virus.
What is Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver infection that can lead to serious liver damage. It’s caused by the hepatitis C virus. About 2.4 million people in the U.S. have the disease. But it causes few symptoms, so most of them don't know. The virus spreads through an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
The various ways and stages hepatitis C virus affects people
1)Incubation period: This is the time between first exposure to the start of the disease. It can last anywhere from 14 to 80 days, but the average is 45.
2) Acute hepatitis C :This is a short-term illness that lasts for the first 6 months after the virus enters your body. After that, some people who have it will get rid of, or clear, the virus on their own.
3) Chronic hepatitis C: For most people who get hepatitis C up to 85%, the illness moves into a long-lasting stage (longer than 6 months). This is called a chronic hepatitis C infection and can lead to dea
2) Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is a cancer that starts in the liver. It happens when cells in the liver start to change and grow out of control, crowding out normal cells. This makes it hard for the body to work the way it should. The liver makes bile to help the body use food. It also cleans the blood and helps the blood clot when you are cut.
Liver cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. When cancer does this, it is called metastasis. But even if a liver cancer spreads to your bones, it is still called and treated like a liver cancer, not bone cancer.
Types of Liver Cancer
Primary Liver Cancer
If a cancer starts in the liver, it is called primary liver cancer. There are many types of liver cancer. Some are very rare. Your doctor can tell you more about the type you have.
The most common type of liver cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma. Also known as HCC. It starts in the cells that make up the liver.
Some rare types of Liver Cancer are:
*Angiosarcoma
* Hemangiosarcoma
These cancers start in the cells lining the blood vessels of the liver. They often grow quickly. liver cancer are in different stages, Your cancer can be stage 1, 2, 3, or 4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, like stage 4, means the cancer has spread outside the liver.
Symptoms of Liver cancer
1) Losing weight without trying.
2) Loss of appetite.
3) Upper abdominal pain.
4) Nausea and vomiting.
5) General weakness and fatigue.
6) Abdominal swelling.
7) Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Foods that makes a healthy Liver
1)Coffee or green tea
2)Oatmeal
3)Nuts
4)Avocado
5)Milk and Low-Fat Dairy Products
6)Olive Oil
7)Green Tea
8)Grapes
9)Apples
10) Vegetables
11) Garlic
13) Orange
Lifestyles Choices that keeps Liver Healthy
* Being active
*Exercising regularly
*Keeping the body weight under check
*Getting proper vaccinations
*Avoiding weight loss medicine
*Protecting yourself against diseases like Hepatitis C or B
*Keeping your cholesterol, hypertension and blood sugar levels under control.
Some Food to avoid to keep your Liver Healthy
1) Alcohol
2) fried food
3) sugery foods
4) Too much of salt
6) Too much of Red meat.
Remember health is Wealth, Stay safe and stay healthy.