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.
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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
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