Lifestyle changes can combat liver disease

Lifestyle changes can combat liver disease

Making small lifestyle changes can drastically reduce the risk of developing liver disease, an expert has said.

According to Sarah Matthews, of the British Liver Trust, the majority of liver-related conditions are "entirely preventable".

She said that having two consecutive days a week without drinking alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight "will help reduce your risk of developing liver disease and cancer".

Identifying sufferers of liver disease can be difficult as the symptoms are "non-specific and difficult to attribute to your liver," Ms Matthews explained.

"This is why it is so important to pay attention to your lifestyle, how much you drink and what your weight is," she continued.

"In addition, we feel people can work more closely with GPs, particularly if they are at risk, ensuring earlier diagnosis, and more prompt treatment for those diagnosed. This could stop progression to more aggressive forms of the disease, which can then result in primary liver cancer."

Alcohol misuse is a major cause of liver disease and, according to Alcohol Action Ireland, hospital discharges for alcohol-related liver disease in the country increased by 147 per cent between 1995 and 2004.