Decoding the Health of your Liver!

As per WHO data, India is facing a dire situation with liver disease, which has claimed the lives of a staggering 216,865 individuals in 2014.

This translates to 2.44% of total deaths in the country and an age-adjusted death rate of 21.96 per 100,000 people. Unfortunately, this puts India at a disturbing RANK OF #61 globally for liver disease mortality. These numbers are not only alarming but also a wake-up call for addressing.

Your liver is like an ELASTIC BAND. It works hard and can take a lot of abuse, even if as much as 75% of the liver is damaged, it can still function normally. But like an elastic band, it can only stretch so far before it snaps. YOU ARE CHARGED BY YOUR LIVER, which is the BATTERY of your body. Because it stores sugar and uses it whenever there is a need. Your blood sugar level could fall dramatically without this energy, putting you in a coma.

Also, the liver has an amazing capacity to regenerate new cells from damaged tissue, if given the chance. It is the only organ in the body with regenerative capacity.?

What are the functions performed by your liver?

The liver performs over 500 different functions, which include fighting infection, neutralizing toxins, and helping in the clotting of blood.

?The 5 major functions of the liver are:

1)Digestion:?

The process is like a symphony of enzymes, working together in harmony to break down food into the building blocks your body needs. The liver secretes the BILE juice which is necessary for the digestive process. This is a chemical that helps turn fats into energy that your body uses.

2)Metabolism:

Liver is the conductor here, orchestrating the conversion of nutrients into energy for all your body's functions. Liver cells change amino acids in foods so that they can be used to produce energy, or make carbohydrates or fats.

3)Detoxification:

The liver works like a janitor, sweeping out any harmful toxins and waste products.

4)Protein synthesis:

The liver is the composer in this process, creating new proteins to repair and rebuild your body.

5)storage of vitamins and minerals:

Like a librarian, your liver is carefully cataloguing and keeping track of all the essential nutrients your body needs to thrive.

What is liver disease?

The liver is an essential organ in the human body and plays a vital role in many bodily functions. However, the liver is also susceptible to a wide range of diseases that can cause serious health problems and even death. Liver disease is a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions that affect the liver.

There are different types of liver diseases, including:

1)Liver cancer:

Liver cancer is serious and often deadly. Symptoms of liver cancer may include abdominal pain, weight loss, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is more common in certain parts of the world, such as Africa and Asia.?

In 2018, liver cancer was the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with an estimated 841,000 new cases.

2)Alcoholic Liver Disease:

It is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. excessive drinking can overwhelm the process of detoxification and lead to inflammation, scarring, and ultimately, liver failure.

About 2 billion people consume alcohol worldwide and upwards of 75 million are at risk of alcohol-associated liver disease.

3)Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD):

It is a condition in which there is a buildup of extra fat in the liver. NAFLD is becoming more common and is often linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

4)Wilson's disease:

It is a rare genetic disorder that causes the liver to retain copper. Symptoms of Wilson's disease may include jaundice, tremors and muscle stiffness.

5)Viral hepatitis:

It is characterized by Inflammation of the liver and caused by viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, and C. For example, hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food or water and can cause symptoms such as jaundice and fatigue.

6) Drug-induced liver injury:

It is a form of liver injury caused by medications or other chemicals. It can range from mild liver enzyme elevations to severe and potentially life-threatening liver failure and is a major cause of acute hepatitis.

To avoid the ill impact and restrict your condition to progress towards chronicity it is crucial to diagnose your liver disease in its early stages and Check the health of your liver. This diagnosis can be achieved by some laboratory tests broadly known as the “LIVER FUNCTION TEST”.

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