Dr. Hector Oscar Molina, MD, Irving, Texas — Reasons You May Be at Risk for Liver Disease
The human liver is a wondrous organ. Each day it makes bile, converts nutrients from your diet, cleans toxins from your blood, breaks down fats, alcohol and medications, controls blood sugar and hormone levels, stores iron and much more.
Dr. Hector Oscar Molina, MD is a health care provider in Irving, notes that you shouldn’t wait for symptoms to appear to begin 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,” says Dr. Akram Ismail. “It is far better to stop liver disease before it gets too serious.” Here are the top five risk factors for developing liver disease.
Exposure to Toxins
While the liver is responsible for cleaning toxins from the blood, overexposure to toxins can be harmful. Read warning labels on chemicals you use around the house, and wash fruits and vegetables before consumption to ensure you’re not digesting pesticides.
Harmful Supplements
Just because a supplement is labeled as “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for you — many herbs and supplements have been associated with liver damage. “Twenty percent of liver injury in the U.S. is caused by herbs,” says Dr. Akram Ismail. Taking more than one medicine or herb that acts on the liver may compound the issue. Tell your doctor about every medication and supplement you take, even occasional or over-the-counter remedies.
Too Much Alcohol
Alcoholic fatty liver, which causes liver inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis), eventual scarring (cirrhosis) and even liver cancer, is a process that begins on as little as four drinks a day for men and two for women. By the time you show symptoms, your liver may be damaged beyond repair. The good news: people who stop drinking at the fatty liver stage may find their condition reversing itself.
Obesity, Diabetes or High Cholesterol
These conditions can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may also lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. “Fatty liver disease is the world’s fastest growing reason for needing a liver transplant,” says Dr. Akram Ismail. As with alcoholic fatty liver, it can be reversed at the “fatty” stage by cutting simple carbohydrates like bread and sugar and eating more fruits, vegetables and protein.
History of Liver Disease
Whether you or a family member has experienced liver disease, you may be more vulnerable to liver conditions. For example, hepatitis B or C and hemochromatosis are risk factors for liver cancer. If a close relative ever had a genetic liver disease, such as hemochromatosis, Wilson disease or alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, then you should watch out for symptoms. If you or an immediate family member has had liver disease, you’ll need to avoid alcohol.
About The Author: Dr. Hector Oscar Molina, MD is a health care provider primarily located in Irving, Texas, United States. He has 27 years of experience. Dr. Molina graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His specialties include Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine.
