LiverGoodLife film

Liver Good Life: four steps to take control of your liver's health

   Know the risks 

• There are many causes of liver disease but there are three main threats to your liver's health which you can protect yourself from:
  

• Alcohol 
  If you regularly drink more than a pint or two of beer, or a couple of glasses of wine each day, you’re putting the liver under incredible strain.  
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• Fatty liver disease
  Fatty deposits can build up in your liver and cause inflammation and liver damage. This is more likely if you are overweight and don’t exercise.    
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• Viral hepatitis (A, B & C)
  Viruses can invade the liver and cause damage. People may not know they have them so they’re easy to pass on.     
• Learn more...

   Get protected 

• - Stick to the recommended drinking guidelines and give your liver at least 2 days a week free from  alcohol
• - Watch your diet and take regular exercise
• - Use a condom when you have sex
• - Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
• - Don't share equipment which could have been contaminated with blood or body fluids

 Get tested

• - Liver disease can be a silent killer and symptoms can take years to develop, even decades
• - If you think your liver may have been exposed to damage - get tested
• - There are blood tests for viral hepatitis and liver function
• - Visit your GP or GUM clinic
• - GUM clinics offer confidential testing for hepatitis B and C

   Get treated   

• - Liver disease can impact every part of your life
• - It can be serious, even fatal
• - There are treatments for viral hepatitis
• - For alcohol and fatty liver disease, treatment will involve lifestyle changes to diet and exercise and careful monitoring 
• - The sooner you get treatment the better