Question 1

Which foods can boost liver health?

Accepted Answer

The following can boost your liver health and can help you maintain good health.

Hot beverages such as tea and coffee – lower the risk of developing liver cancer.
Fruits rich in antioxidants like grapefruit – helps to protect the liver.
Berries like blueberries and cranberries - rich in antioxidants and inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells.
Grapes – prevent liver damage and fight inflammation.
Prickly pear – The juice of the fruit helps reduce inflammation.
Beetroots – These vegetables are packed with antioxidants and nitrates. Beetroot juice reduces oxidative damage and inflammation.
High-fibre plant food protects the liver from damage.
Nuts – These top the list of foods that boost liver health. Nuts are a rich source of fats and nutrients, including antioxidant vitamin E. If you love nuts, your body will have improved liver enzyme levels.
Fatty fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation.

Question 2

How can I identify the symptoms of liver disease?

Accepted Answer

You may not experience any clear symptoms in the early stages of liver disease. As the disease progresses, you may see symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, white chalky stools, mental confusion, yellow discolouration of skin and eyes, and sometimes itchy skin. Talk to your doctor to learn more about liver diseases and the associated signs/symptoms. Early diagnosis can help prevent the progression of the disease.

Question 3

Is liver damage reversible?

Accepted Answer

Remember that alcoholic liver disease is reversible. This condition of liver damage is caused by excessive alcohol consumption for a prolonged time. The disease progression can be slowed down by stopping alcohol consumption. Liver damage in cases of acetaminophen overdose is also reversible once the drug usage is stopped. The liver will sometimes recover on its own with improvements in lifestyle and diet. In the worst cases, you may need liver transplantation when the liver loses all its functions.

Question 4

What are the early signs of liver damage?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease doesn't always cause noticeable signs and symptoms. Few noticeable body changes or pain can be a warning for your liver:

Jaundice, (a condition where the skin and eyes appear yellowish)
Abdominal pain and swelling
Leg Swelling
Itchy skin
Dark urine colour
Pale stool colour
Chronic fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
A tendency to bruise easily

Question 5

How do you detect liver problems?

Accepted Answer

To find the cause and extent of liver damage, your doctor might recommend the following tests:

Blood tests to detect genetic conditions or liver dysfunction.
Imaging tests like CT scans, ultrasound and MRI can show liver damage.
Biopsy is where your tissue sample is checked to diagnose liver disease and to look for signs of liver damage.

Question 6

What are the 4 stages of liver diseases?

Accepted Answer

There are many different types of liver disease. It is important to know what happens to your liver at each stage of the progression before complete liver failure. Understanding the progression of liver disease may help you make better health choices. Here are the four stages of liver disease.

Stage 1: The first sign of liver damage is Inflammation

Inflammation in the liver is a sign that it is no longer efficient in detoxifying your blood, or getting rid of toxins found in the food you eat.

Stage 2: Fibrosis is the start of Liver Scarring

If you do not treat the inflammation, it will start to cause the liver to scar. It is the process of Fibrosis when the scar tissues replace the healthy liver tissue, which reduces liver function.

Stage 3: More severe scarring leads to Cirrhosis

When you don't treat the fibrosis medically, you are at risk of the next stage called cirrhosis, which is severe scarring of the liver.

Stage 4: Liver failure

It's the final stage where your liver completely fails to heal and loses all its ability to function.

Question 7

Is itching a sign of liver disease?

Accepted Answer

Itching (pruritus) is among the chronic liver disease symptoms, though not everyone with liver disease experiences this. Some people get an itching sensation in a particular area, like the soles of their feet, limbs or palms of their hands, while others experience an itch all over their body. When this itching persists, it can contribute to Insomnia, Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, and impaired quality of life.

Question 8

How should I change my diet if I have liver problems?

Accepted Answer

Watching what you eat is one of the main ways to treat fatty liver disease, regardless of the type of liver disease. Here are a few food items you should avoid or limit, if you have fatty liver disease.

Alcohol: It is a major cause of fatty liver disease.
Added sugar: Avoid sugary foods such as cookies, candy, sodas, and packaged fruit juices.
Fried foods: These are the powerhouses of fat and calories, which increases the amount of fat buildup in the liver.
Salt: Limit your sodium intake. Eating too much salt can make your body hold on to excess water.
White bread and rice: White rice means the flour is highly processed, which can raise your sugar levels more than whole grains due to the lack of fibre.
Red meat: Avoid red meat as they are high in saturated fat.

Question 9

What are the first signs of a bad liver?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue, yellow eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and loss of appetite.

Your guide to Liver Health: