Liver Treatment in Munster & Dyer, IN
How the Liver Functions
The liver is a vital organ that processes and eliminates toxins and wastes to prevent them from building up in your body.
How Liver Disease Affects Your Health
Liver disease causes your liver to not function properly or efficiently. Waste products build up, causing damage and scarring to your liver. Other vital organs begin to not function well.
Causes of Liver Disease
Liver disease can be caused by a few factors, including:
- Genetics and family history
- Being exposed to a virus
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Having a harmful reaction to a drug
- Eating a poor diet and being overweight
- Having an autoimmune disorder
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Disease
Early liver disease may cause little to no symptoms. You may not experience symptoms until the late stages of the disease. Signs and symptoms of liver disease include:
- Jaundice
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal bloating
- Weakness and fatigue
- Poor appetite and weight loss
- Swelling and edema in your extremities
- Mental impairment
- Physical impairment
How Proper Diet and Nutrition Can Help Manage Liver Disease
Liver disease can be managed with the help of your gastroenterologist. Diet and proper nutrition make a dramatic difference in how you feel. When you have liver disease, consuming a Mediterranean diet can help. According to the National Institutes of Health or NIH, you should:
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Reduce animal protein, especially red meats, to limit toxic waste buildup
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for extra fiber to help eliminate waste products
- Avoid eating uncooked shellfish
- Take vitamins, supplements, and medicines prescribed by your doctor to help manage liver disease symptoms and nutrient deficiencies
- Limit your salt intake to reduce swelling and other issues associated with liver disease
