In the United States, more than 25 million people have a liver related disease.
Protected by the rib cage, the liver is located on the right side of the body. The liver weighs nearly three pounds, which makes it the largest glandular organ in the body. It plays a huge role in maintaining digestive system health. The liver can hold over 10 percent of all the blood in the body at one time. It's comprised of two areas called the right and left lobes. Blood flows in to and back out of the liver through capillaries, metabolic cells and blood vessels.
Function :The liver plays a large role in maintaining overall health and wellness in the body. In fact, it performs over 100 unique tasks. Some of the main functions include: aiding in the absorption of nutrients and turning them into energy, producing cholesterol and amino acids and ridding the body of toxic substances and drugs. Many people do not realize that the liver is not only an organ but a gland as well, because it makes and secretes bile, a fluid which transports fats and waste to the intestine and helps during the digestive process.
Additionally, the liver produces proteins which are responsible for assisting in blood clotting and the regulation of blood volume. The liver helps to break down or flush out environmental or ingested toxins from the body.
Blood flows to the liver via two large vessels, the hepatic artery, which carries oxygen rich blood away from the aorta, and the portal vein which carries blood with digested food to the small intestine. The gallbladder and the intestines are located right behind it, making transportation of bile from the gallbladder to the liver for digestive help easier.
Are you at Risk?
Uncontrollable factors:
Genetics: There are many genetic liver disease found in children including Wilson's disease, hereditary hemochrinatosis and Alpha-1-antitrypsin. In those with Northern European ancestry, hemochromatosis is the most common. It's not always easy to tell if a child is at risk simply by looking at the parents. Many times there are no outward signs or symptoms of an underlying problem yet there are nearly 100 genetic liver diseases that can be passed on to a child. On the other hand, just because you are a carrier does not mean you will necessarily pass on the genetic liver disease.
Gender: With many conditions affecting the liver, men are more likely than women to have a problem. For example, men are more likely to develop hemochromatosis since women lose more iron through blood during menstruation and pregnancy. When it comes to liver cancer, men are also more likely to develop it than women.
Race: In the United States, the two groups most frequently diagnosed with liver cancer are Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans.
Diabetes: People with diabetes often sustain long term liver damage and a higher risk of cancer since the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels. The chances of developing a fatty liver also raises the probability for diabetics to develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
Age :If you are over the age of 60, statistically you have an increased risk of developing liver cancer.
Controllable Factors:
Consuming alcohol: Many people who overindulge in alcohol develop cirrhosis of the liver. If you drink a lot of alcohol, your liver must work very hard to filter out the toxins and this is when permanent damage can result.
Having sex without a condom: Viral hepatitis can be spread by having unprotected sex. Once you become infected, your liver can be badly damaged and inflamed. Aside from potentially damaging your liver, having unprotected sex can lead to many other infections and complications.
Inter-venous drug use: Many times, people using IV drugs will share needles and this can result in the rapid spreading of the hepatitis virus among many other health complications. It is possible to have the same thing happen without even knowing it if you receive a tattoo or a piercing from a place that does not adequately clean their tools after each use.
Obesity: This can lead to excess strain and a fatty liver which can result in problems affecting the liver. Some diseases or health problems result in obesity, so maintaining a healthy weight in these cases may be difficult. Often by working closely with a doctor or nutritionist, fat levels can be reduced, resulting in less strain on the liver.
Drug Use: When the liver must constantly filter toxic drugs from the body, damage will continually deteriorate the liver and its ability to function properly.
Protected by the rib cage, the liver is located on the right side of the body. The liver weighs nearly three pounds, which makes it the largest glandular organ in the body. It plays a huge role in maintaining digestive system health. The liver can hold over 10 percent of all the blood in the body at one time. It's comprised of two areas called the right and left lobes. Blood flows in to and back out of the liver through capillaries, metabolic cells and blood vessels.
Function :The liver plays a large role in maintaining overall health and wellness in the body. In fact, it performs over 100 unique tasks. Some of the main functions include: aiding in the absorption of nutrients and turning them into energy, producing cholesterol and amino acids and ridding the body of toxic substances and drugs. Many people do not realize that the liver is not only an organ but a gland as well, because it makes and secretes bile, a fluid which transports fats and waste to the intestine and helps during the digestive process.
Additionally, the liver produces proteins which are responsible for assisting in blood clotting and the regulation of blood volume. The liver helps to break down or flush out environmental or ingested toxins from the body.
Blood flows to the liver via two large vessels, the hepatic artery, which carries oxygen rich blood away from the aorta, and the portal vein which carries blood with digested food to the small intestine. The gallbladder and the intestines are located right behind it, making transportation of bile from the gallbladder to the liver for digestive help easier.
Are you at Risk?
Uncontrollable factors:
Genetics: There are many genetic liver disease found in children including Wilson's disease, hereditary hemochrinatosis and Alpha-1-antitrypsin. In those with Northern European ancestry, hemochromatosis is the most common. It's not always easy to tell if a child is at risk simply by looking at the parents. Many times there are no outward signs or symptoms of an underlying problem yet there are nearly 100 genetic liver diseases that can be passed on to a child. On the other hand, just because you are a carrier does not mean you will necessarily pass on the genetic liver disease.
Gender: With many conditions affecting the liver, men are more likely than women to have a problem. For example, men are more likely to develop hemochromatosis since women lose more iron through blood during menstruation and pregnancy. When it comes to liver cancer, men are also more likely to develop it than women.
Race: In the United States, the two groups most frequently diagnosed with liver cancer are Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans.
Diabetes: People with diabetes often sustain long term liver damage and a higher risk of cancer since the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels. The chances of developing a fatty liver also raises the probability for diabetics to develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
Age :If you are over the age of 60, statistically you have an increased risk of developing liver cancer.
Controllable Factors:
Consuming alcohol: Many people who overindulge in alcohol develop cirrhosis of the liver. If you drink a lot of alcohol, your liver must work very hard to filter out the toxins and this is when permanent damage can result.
Having sex without a condom: Viral hepatitis can be spread by having unprotected sex. Once you become infected, your liver can be badly damaged and inflamed. Aside from potentially damaging your liver, having unprotected sex can lead to many other infections and complications.
Inter-venous drug use: Many times, people using IV drugs will share needles and this can result in the rapid spreading of the hepatitis virus among many other health complications. It is possible to have the same thing happen without even knowing it if you receive a tattoo or a piercing from a place that does not adequately clean their tools after each use.
Obesity: This can lead to excess strain and a fatty liver which can result in problems affecting the liver. Some diseases or health problems result in obesity, so maintaining a healthy weight in these cases may be difficult. Often by working closely with a doctor or nutritionist, fat levels can be reduced, resulting in less strain on the liver.
Drug Use: When the liver must constantly filter toxic drugs from the body, damage will continually deteriorate the liver and its ability to function properly.
About the Author:
This article was provided from Kwikmed.com. At Kwikmed.com we offer lab tests for liver function . Follow us @kwikmed.
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