
5 Steps to Take Charge of Your Liver Health
The liver is our largest organ, and yet we often ignore it. These tips can help you take charge of your liver health.
Dec 14, 2016
Dec 12, 2022
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By Jennifer Pate, MD
Did you know that October is Liver Awareness Month? While many women across the country are setting aside time to focus on their breast health, October also presents a good opportunity to take ownership of your liver health.
As a physician who treats people diagnosed with liver conditions, I know that liver health is often overlooked in women. The liver is the largest organ in the body, yet 76 percent of people rarely or never ask their doctor about liver health, and 40 percent don't even realize that you need a liver to live.1
In my practice, I suggest that women take the following five LIVER steps to take charge of their health.
1. Learn your risk factors.2
Not all liver diseases are a direct result of alcohol overuse. Risk factors for other liver diseases include the following:
2. Incorporate healthy practices to limit your risk.
3. Verify your enzyme levels through a liver function blood test.
Liver function tests reveal a significant amount of information about the health of your liver. Ask your health care professional to perform a simple blood test during your regular physical exam. Keep copies of your lab results so you can monitor your lab results over time.
4. Empower yourself by communicating well with your health care professional.
Begin by identifying the most important two or three questions for your visit and write down these questions. As the visit is nearing an end, try saying, "Doctor, I have three questions I would like to ask today. The first question is…." Even the busiest doctors will often stay in the room for a few brief questions.
If you are having trouble communicating with your health care professionals, tell your doctor openly what your concerns are. Try to work together as a team and identify the correct specialist for any problems.
5. Remember there are plenty of strategies to rely on in the event you do have a chronic liver disease.
There has never been a better time to focus on your liver health than now, during Liver Awareness Month.
Jennifer Pate, MD, is Chief of Psychiatry at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center where she specializes in helping patients cope with chronic illness, including those affected by liver disease.
This resource was created with the support of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For more information, visit www.livingwithPBC.com.
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