Holiday Health

When we think about our health we associate different attributes- the brain with intellect, the heart with emotions; and male or female organs with masculinity or femininity but the liver is often overlooked as a vital organ that helps preserve us from all the trouble the other organs get us into.

The function of the liver cannot be undermined. It removes harmful material from the blood and it is constantly processing blood for use by the rest of the body. It makes enzymes and bile that help digest food. Our bodies depend on the liver to store, regulate, and synthesize and secrete important nutrients and proteins.

We also don't realize it is impaired until it is too late.

The Canadian Liver Foundation exists to promote liver health and let people know how they can keep their health

One in 10 Canadians are affected with liver disease but this is not solely due to heavy consumption of alcohol.

The term “liver disease” refers to several diseases and disorders that cause the liver to function improperly or cease functioning.

I still remember the first patient I met with liver failure (from a variety of causes) over the Holidays several years ago. “Mike” was so ill he couldn't eat much and the one thing he missed was simply drinking a glass of milk, which he was too ill to tolerate. He expressed regret but it was too late to undo his condition.

Steaotohepatitis (fatty liver with inflammation) is one main condition, which occurs in people who do not drink alcohol or drink minimally. One gets a fatty liver from accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. The liver becomes vulnerable to being fatty when there is a build up of simple fat. from diet.

On vacation and through the holidays we tend to consume in excess but liver experts caution to remember moderation.

1.Eat a well-balanced diet

2.Introduce exercise into your day. You could take walks; do some stretching around your office space.

3.Limit alcohol consumption

When the Liver is mismanaged by abuse of alcohol, use of drugs, needle or razor sharing, it can lead to liver disease such as Hepatitis B caused by a virus called HPV, Hepatitis C which cannot be prevented by any vaccine and is caused by injection drug use, through blood transfusion from a donor with Hep C, tattooing and body piercing without sterile precautions Liver Cirrhosis which is caused by heavy drinking.

There are also many other diseases affecting the liver but health care providers focus prevention strategies on these main ones we can do something about.   

Travelers can protect themselves from Hepatitis A and B by immunizations.

Hepatitis C and D can be prevented from avoiding unsafe injections. Hepatitis E is found in infected water in some countries and is avoided through careful water purification.

But people still remain susceptible to damage inflicted by extra calories over the years of vacations and holidays.

The Canadian Liver Foundation has a wide range of information to liver disease patients, family members, and friends.

They recently held a high fashion handbag gala event to emphasize that education on liver illnesses must also go to women in the community who although less afflicted with liver diseases themselves are more frequently the key family supports in looking after people (administering their medications, getting them to appointments).

In other words the hand that rocks the cradle and guides the family deserves a handbag.

Alero Adeleye-Olusae of the CLF helped me with this article and also extends an invitation for Sun readers to attend a series of free educational events by Liver experts in the New Year (204) 831-6231

As a Healthcare provider I always promote moderation but even moderation may also be taken in short term moderation for special occasions!

So as we party and have fun this year, remember nothing is more important than the gift of health to oneself