In our lives, small physical changes are often overlooked until they develop into problems that are difficult to ignore.
The liver, the silent organ in our abdomen, has been signaling for help for a long time, but we haven't paid attention to it. In particular, some changes in the head may be an early warning of liver disease.
1. The initial symptoms of liver cirrhosis are not significant, and the head manifestations become an early warning
As the "chemical factory" of the human body, once a problem occurs, the impact of the liver can be described as far-reaching and complex. Cirrhosis is a disease that often does not have many obvious symptoms in the early stages, which makes it difficult for many patients to recognize that there is something wrong with their body in the early stages of the disease.
However, certain symptoms in the head can be "sentinels" of cirrhosis, warning us that the liver may have been silently damaged.
In the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2019 Edition) issued by the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases and the Chinese Society of Liver Disease and Blood Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, it is also mentioned that liver disease may not feel much in the early stage, but through some atypical manifestations such as head symptoms, you can be alert to this disease.
Two or three types of head symptoms suggest possible liver problems
1. Dark and yellow, dull complexion: abnormal liver function, which will affect metabolism in the body and lead to endocrine disorders. Not only does this make your complexion look dull, but it can even make your skin look dark and yellow. This phenomenon is often referred to medically as the "liver disease face". The change in complexion is small, but it is a sign of liver fatigue.
2. Yellowing of the sclera: This is one of the most noticeable symptoms. When the liver is impaired and unable to effectively break down and eliminate bilirubin from the body, too much bilirubin can be deposited in the white part of the eye, the sclera, making the whites of the eyes look yellowish. This symptom is called jaundice and is a visual manifestation of abnormal liver function.
3. Frequent bleeding gums: Patients with cirrhosis often have affected blood clotting. Normally, mild irritation should not cause bleeding gums, but if the liver is not functioning well, even gentle brushing can cause bleeding gums.
Also, this bleeding is often not easy to stop. It's not just a dental problem, but it can be a hidden risk of liver disease.
In Li Li and Jia Wei's research "The Influence of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Patients with Liver Cirrhosis", it was pointed out that appropriate dietary adjustment and lifestyle changes play an important role in the symptom relief of patients with liver cirrhosis.
By observing these initial head symptoms, combined with lifestyle modifications, the progression of cirrhosis can be effectively managed and controlled.
3. Liver function and its importance: from detoxification to metabolism
The liver, the largest internal organ in the human body, undertakes multiple physiological functions, and its health status is directly related to the overall health of the human body. First and foremost is the detoxification function, which is the ability of the liver to convert toxins into harmless substances and excrete them from the body.
In addition, the liver plays an indispensable role in blood purification, protein synthesis, bile secretion, glycogen storage and conversion, etc. When liver function declines, these processes are all affected, leading to a range of health problems.
Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by the gradual loss of function of normal liver tissue being replaced by scar tissue. This process does not happen overnight, but slowly and insidiously.
In this process, the liver's ability to purify blood decreases, and metabolic dysfunction leads to the accumulation of multiple metabolites and toxins in the blood, a condition medically known as hepatic encephalopathy, which can lead to cognitive dysfunction and even coma.
The liver is also the main drug metabolism site in the body, and many drugs need to be metabolized by the liver in order to function or be eliminated. Therefore, hepatic insufficiency can seriously affect the efficacy and safety of the drug.
In the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2019 Edition), it is emphasized that patients with liver cirrhosis need to be extra careful when using drugs to avoid drug accumulation and adverse reactions caused by weakened liver metabolism.
4. The relationship between lifestyle habits and liver health
Some habits and choices in daily life can cause damage to the liver without even realizing it. For example, alcohol is a major cause of liver disease, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and even cirrhosis.
In addition, unreasonable eating habits, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, etc., are also potential liver health killers.
In Li Li and Jia Wei's research "The Influence of Diet and Lifestyle on Patients with Liver Cirrhosis", it is pointed out that the diet of patients with liver cirrhosis should be low in salt, fat and fiber, avoid greasy and spicy food, and emphasize that moderate exercise and adequate sleep are essential for liver health.
These lifestyle changes can not only help patients with cirrhosis relieve symptoms, but also have a positive significance for the prevention of liver disease.
In fact, the liver's ability to regenerate is quite strong, and with reasonable lifestyle support, it can repair some damaged liver cells. Therefore, even healthy people should have regular liver function tests and adjust their lifestyle habits in time to maintain the health of the liver.
When talking about liver health, we have to mention hepatitis viruses, especially hepatitis B and C viruses. These viruses can lead to chronic hepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer over time.
The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2019 Edition) mentions that vaccination and regular check-ups are effective means of preventing hepatitis B, and for hepatitis C, timely antiviral treatment is also crucial.
5. Early diagnosis and treatment strategies for liver cirrhosis
Early diagnosis is essential for the treatment of cirrhosis to be effective. Modern medicine uses blood biochemical tests, imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, and liver biopsy to detect signs of cirrhosis in the absence of obvious clinical symptoms.
Blood tests such as aminotransferases and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) can reflect the degree of hepatocellular damage, while imaging tests can visually observe changes in liver structure.
To treat cirrhosis, the first thing is to remove the triggers, such as stopping alcohol consumption, controlling drug use, and treating hepatitis virus infection. Based on this, the doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the patient's specific situation.
Appropriate dietary modification and nutritional support are particularly important in patients with poor nutritional status. Patients with cirrhosis often have abnormal protein metabolism, so high-quality protein supplementation has a positive effect on maintaining the nutritional status of patients and improving liver function.
The management of complications, such as the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy due to portal hypertension, is also an indispensable part of treatment. These complications often seriously affect the patient's quality of life and can even be life-threatening.
Therefore, regular follow-up and monitoring, as well as prompt management of relevant symptoms, are essential to prolong survival and improve the quality of life of patients with cirrhosis.
summary
For patients with liver cirrhosis, understanding the knowledge of the disease, following the doctor's advice, adjusting their life reasonably, and maintaining a good attitude are the keys to fighting the disease.
For each of us, cherishing our liver and starting with healthy lifestyle habits may be the best strategy to stay away from liver disease.