Xiao Li is a busy IT engineer who is concentrating on a mountain of tasks. Suddenly, he stopped what he was doing, raised his arm, frowned, and scratched the inexplicable itchy skin on the inside of his left arm.
"Oh, I've been itchy lately, are you allergic again?" he said to himself, Xiao Li has always paid attention to health, and is usually quite sensitive to allergens, and has all kinds of anti-allergy drugs at home.
However, this time, no matter how he applied the ointment, changed the laundry detergent, and even deliberately switched to pure natural skin care products, the itching sensation always lingered, especially at night, which seriously affected his sleep quality.
Xiao Wang, a friend and colleague sitting opposite, noticed Xiao Li's strange appearance and asked with concern. Xiao Li confided his troubles to Xiao Wang.
Xiao Wang listened to it and said slowly: "You itch, don't easily conclude that it is allergic." I had a distant relative who was diagnosed with liver cancer because he ignored the constant itching on his body. It is said that sometimes in the early stage of liver cancer, it will send out warning signs of 'itching' through the skin and eyes. ”
01. Two "itching" or precursors of liver cancer
As a malignant tumor, liver cancer is not only highly aggressive and metastatic, but also because its early symptoms are insidious, and it is often discovered only after the disease has progressed to a certain extent.
Itching of the skin and eyes, as an early warning sign of liver cancer, may lead to patients missing the best time for diagnosis and treatment, increasing the difficulty of treatment and reducing the survival rate if it is mistaken for a common allergy or neglected.
Pruritus of the skin: Pruritus, especially persistent, unprovoked, may be a sign of liver disease. In addition to liver cancer, liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis may also cause itchy skin.
This is because the liver function is impaired, resulting in abnormal bile acid metabolism, which builds up in the blood, irritating the nerve endings in the skin and triggering itching. Disorders in the liver metabolism of bilirubin can cause jaundice, and bilirubin is deposited on the skin, further exacerbating the itching sensation.
Itchy eyes: Especially if accompanied by symptoms such as blurred vision and yellowing of the whites of the eyes, can be an early sign of liver disease. Liver lesions lead to abnormal bilirubin metabolism, and the concentration of bilirubin in the blood increases, which is deposited on the cornea and retina, causing itching, blurred vision and even jaundice eye disease.
02. Factors that cause liver cancer
Eating moldy food: Aflatoxin is a first-class carcinogen, often found in moldy grains, nuts and other foods. Long-term ingestion, the liver bears the brunt of damage, increasing the risk of liver cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol is an important cause of liver cancer, and excessive alcohol consumption leads to fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver, which gradually evolves into cirrhosis, and may then develop into liver cancer.
Indiscriminate use of health care products: Some health care products contain unknown ingredients, and excessive or improper use may increase the burden on the liver, induce drug-induced liver damage, and even liver cancer.
Excessive emotional stress: Long-term anxiety and depression can easily cause "liver fire", affect the flow of liver qi and blood, reduce liver immunity, and lay hidden dangers for liver disease.
Disordered daily life: Staying up late and irregular work and rest make the liver unable to effectively repair and detoxify at night, and over time, liver function is impaired, increasing the risk of liver cancer.
03. How to prevent liver cancer
Eat a healthy diet: avoid eating moldy foods, especially aflatoxin-contaminated grains and nuts, avoid long-term heavy alcohol consumption, reduce the intake of high-fat and high-calorie foods to prevent fatty liver, and increase the intake of nutritious and balanced foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality protein.
Maintain an appropriate weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of fatty liver disease, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Maintain an appropriate weight by eating properly and exercising regularly.
Avoid exposure to toxic substances: reduce exposure to chemical carcinogens in the environment, such as nitrosamines, organochlorines, etc., and avoid long-term exposure to heavy metal pollution.
High-risk group surveillance: High-risk groups with a family history of liver cancer, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, long-term alcohol history, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease should be checked regularly.
Emotion management: Maintain an optimistic attitude and avoid long-term negative emotional states such as anxiety and depression, because traditional Chinese medicine believes that "qi depression hurts the liver", and mood fluctuations directly affect the liver's excretory function.
Regular work and rest: Ensure adequate sleep time and avoid staying up late. The liver repairs and detoxifies itself at night, and a good routine is conducive to the recovery and maintenance of liver function.
Preventing liver cancer and protecting the source of life are important issues that each of us should pay attention to and take action. From understanding the risk factors for liver cancer, to taking targeted preventive measures, to developing a healthy lifestyle, every step is the key to building a protective barrier.
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