Liver Damage Management Tips: The liver is the body’s largest internal organ, responsible for multiple functions such as cleansing of toxins from the body, metabolism of drugs, and storage of vitamins and minerals. The liver can be damaged by multiple factors such as excessive alcohol intake, obesity, chronic drug abuse etc. Whatever the underlying cause, a key worrisome factor about the underlying liver disease is its quiet progression. Your liver may be losing its capacity to filter hazardous compounds from your blood even before any clinical symptoms develop. Most of the time you don’t know your liver has been harmed until you develop the advanced symptoms of cirrhosis.
Here, we’ll discuss the significance of periodic liver screening and how it might prevent the development of underlying serious conditions and assist in your overall health wellness.
Impact of timely screening of liver functions by simple non-invasive blood tests and imaging techniques:
Liver Function tests: Liver screening tests measure liver enzymes, total proteins and bilirubin levels to evaluate liver function. These tests give important information about the liver’s capacity to perform the liver functions:
- Serum bilirubin
- Total protein levels
- A/G ratio (Albumin/Globulin ratio)
- AST (SGOT)
- ALT (SGPT)
- ALP (Alkaline phosphatise)
- GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase)
Liver screening is a battery of tests used to evaluate the liver’s health and function. These tests measure the quantities of specific enzymes and proteins in your bloodstream. Levels that are greater or lower than normal may indicate liver issues. The pattern and degree of elevation of these parameters, together with the overall clinical picture, can give insight into the etiology of underlying health issues.
These tests are important for detecting liver disease and monitoring the liver damage. Some tests examine your liver’s ability to synthesize protein and eliminate bilirubin, a metabolic waste produced in the body. These tests play an important role in revealing any underlying inflammation, fatty liver disease, viral infections (such as hepatitis), and other liver disorders in their early stages itself, when therapy and lifestyle changes are most beneficial and the condition can even be reversed with timely management.
Imaging techniques such as USG : Liver ultrasound is a painless, non-invasive way to diagnose any underlying liver disease and assess the liver functions. This simple cost effective test can help identify any underlying inflammation, fibrosis, or fatty liver disease in the early stages so that timely intervention can prevent any longterm complications.
Some of the key benefits of periodic liver screening include –
Early identification of Liver disease: Early identification is essential for controlling liver problems. Liver screening can detect liver illness early on, allowing for timely intervention and treatment to avoid any chronic or longterm complications.
Preventive health maintenance: Regular liver tests promote overall health and prevent the advancement of liver disease as liver diseases can harm other body organs as well. Screening identifies risk factors and enables people to make educated lifestyle decisions that safeguard their liver and overall health.
Identifying risk factors: Liver screening can detect risk factors for liver disease, including obesity, alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis infections, and certain drugs. Understanding these risk factors enables people to take preventive actions and change their lifestyle to lower the risk of liver disease.
Healthy state of mind: For those with worries about their liver health or a family history of liver disease, screening can provide reassurance and early diagnosis of any underlying abnormalities.
Liver Damage: Lifestyle Changes To Keep The Liver Healthy
Living a healthy lifestyle allows your liver to function as effectively as possible and reduces your chances of liver disease. Recommendations for a healthy lifestyle include maintaining a healthy weight balance, eating a healthy and balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, and using only necessary drugs with proper dose recommendations.