World Liver Day is an annual event observed on April 19 to raise awareness about liver-related diseases and promote liver health
World Liver Day aims to educate people about the importance of maintaining a healthy liver and the risks associated with liver diseases such as hepatitis, liver cancer, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. It also encourages individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and practising safe sex
World Liver Day was first observed in 2012 and is celebrated annually by various organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Liver Foundation, and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)
There have been increasing cases of fatty liver world over. Much has been blamed on the morbid lifestyle and poor eating habits. Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition in which there is an accumulation of fat in the liver.
Some symptoms of fatty liver are:-
- Fatigue
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Enlarged liver
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Jaundice
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Dark urine
- Poor appetite or weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Puffiness
- Rashes around mouth
- Visible blood vessels on the face
- Itching
- Face or arms’ skin turning yellow
Here are some tips to help prevent fatty liver:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Eat a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Manage underlying medical conditions
- Avoid unnecessary medications and supplements
Food options to ensure your liver is in a good condition include leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, garlic, berries, coffee, whole grains, turmeric, and green tea
There are several types of food that can be harmful to the liver if consumed excessively or regularly over a long period of time. These include processed and fried foods, alcohol, sugary drinks, red and processed meats, sugary drinks, salt and food high in trans fats and cholesterol
Apart from World Liver Day, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28. It aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Hepatitis majorly affects the liver
The content in this story is only for informational purposes and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals