Lao Zhang, who has been retired for many years, will take a look at the tips of fatty liver every year when he gets the physical examination report: "Alas, it's just that the belly is a little bigger, and there is nothing wrong with it." ”
However, this year's examination gave him a heavy blow, and the doctor solemnly pointed to the vague shadow on the report: "Lao Zhang, you have liver cancer." ”
"How can I get liver cancer? I don't have hepatitis B and I don't like to drink, how is that possible?"
The doctor sighed: "Your fatty liver has not been treated for a long time, which is an important cause of liver cancer. ”
Lao Zhang regretted it a lot, he never thought that the seemingly harmless fatty liver would evolve into such a terrible liver cancer.
1. The incidence of fatty liver is as high as 25%, how far is it from liver cancer?
Liver cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, remains an enemy that humanity needs to overcome.
At present, there are about 900,000 new cases of liver cancer in the world every year, of which 830,000 deaths are high. As a country with a high incidence of liver cancer, China has nearly half of the world's total number of new cases and deaths.
The occurrence of liver cancer is related to a variety of factors, and some studies have pointed out that fatty liver, which is often overlooked, is actually an important cause of liver cancer.
In 2021, an article published in the authoritative medical journal The Lancet conducted an in-depth analysis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and its research review pointed out that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has long been the main cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
According to a systematic review of 8.51 million people in 22 countries around the world, the incidence of liver cancer in patients with fatty liver was about 0.44 per 1000. When fatty liver disease progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the incidence of liver cancer increases significantly, reaching 5.29 per 1000.
Don't think that fatty liver is far away from us, in fact, they are always lurking. According to the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease in China", the prevalence of fatty liver disease in mainland China is as high as 12.5%~35.4%, and about 200 million Chinese people suffer from it. In other words, on average, 1 in 3 people in mainland China suffers from fatty liver.
Many people don't care about fatty liver disease, but in fact, there are only 4 steps for fatty liver to develop into liver cancer: fatty liver → steatohepatitis→ liver fibrosis→ cirrhosis→ liver cancer.
Fatty liver is the starting point for liver cancer, and when it progresses to steatohepatitis, liver cells are damaged and steatosis begins. As hepatitis continues, the liver produces scar tissue, which seriously damages the liver structure and function, and forms liver cirrhosis, at which time the liver's regeneration ability is greatly reduced, and some patients will develop hepatocellular carcinoma.
It is important to note that fatty liver disease can also develop by leaps and bounds. Some studies have pointed out that simple fatty liver disease or steatohepatitis can also directly develop into liver cancer.
Although fatty liver does not sound as alarming as cancer, it is also a warning before liver cancer, and we cannot ignore it, and if it is found, it should be treated in time to prevent liver cancer.
Thank you for moving your fingers and helping Xiao Jiu complete the questionnaire~
2. There are 4 abnormalities when going to the toilet, and the liver may have been damaged
The liver is a "silent organ", and due to the lack of obvious symptoms in the early stage, many people ignore the disease and miss the best time for treatment. In fact, liver damage is not silent, the following abnormalities are the signals given by the liver:
1. The stool is clay-colored
If the stool is clay-colored, it may be due to abnormal synthesis of clotting factors caused by liver damage, and the color of the stool changes when blood binds to intestinal secretions.
2. The frequency of diarrhea increases
Frequent diarrhea or loose stools should be noted. The liver is responsible for the secretion of bile, and if it is damaged, it will cause abnormal secretion and affect digestion. According to the study of 612 patients with chronic hepatitis B in Guangzhou, the incidence of abnormal stool was as high as 70.91%, among which sticky stool, diarrhea or loose stool were the most common.
3. Abnormal urine taste
An abnormal ammonia or foul smell in the urine indicates that the liver's detoxification function is impaired and the ammonia produced by urea breakdown cannot be metabolized properly.
4. Change in urine color
The liver plays a key role in regulating water metabolism in the body. When liver function declines, bilirubin levels rise leading to jaundice, and the urine is brown or dark yellow.
3. Walking 10,000 steps a day, can you walk away from fatty liver?
Walking, the easiest way to exercise, is actually a good helper to eliminate fatty liver.
A study in the journal Hepatology of the American Academy of Liver Diseases pointed out that people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can reduce fatty liver disease if they walk for more than 150 minutes a week.
Professor Hu Dayi, a well-known cardiovascular expert and chief physician of the Heart Center of Peking University People's Hospital, is a beneficiary of walking, he insisted on walking 10,000 steps a day, walked for nearly 20 years, and disappeared the severe fatty liver, and his blood pressure and blood sugar have remained normal so far.
In addition to this, there are many benefits to walking: not only does it reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, but it also allows you to live longer. A study presented at the 2022 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Annual Meeting showed that people aged 85 and over who walked slowly for 10 minutes a day helped reduce the risk of death.
However, walking the right way will lead to longevity, and walking wrong will hurt your body. How to walk healthily?
First of all, it is necessary to have the correct walking posture. The "2023 Chinese Expert Consensus on Exercise Prescription" suggests: when walking, keep your back straight, relax your neck and shoulder muscles, gently tighten your abdominal muscles, and your eyes should be level ahead, with your ears, shoulders and buttocks on the same vertical line.
Secondly, choose a place with safe road conditions, a comfortable environment, and plenty of light for walking exercise. A study in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet found that volunteers who walked in the park had improved lung function and significant softening of arterial blood vessels.
Also, walk gradually, don't rush to increase the intensity. Studies have shown that walking 5,000 to 10,000 steps a day is more effective, and more than 10,000 steps does not lead to more health benefits, but may increase the risk of injury.
In the face of fatty liver disease, a potential health threat, we are not powerless. As long as you develop good lifestyle habits, maintain a healthy diet and moderate exercise, you can effectively prevent it.
Resources:
[1] "Many people's fatty liver will turn into liver cancer?is it true!", Second Hospital of Zhejiang University.2023-06-30
[2] "Brisk walking is one of the best exercises, but many people don't get it right!". Health Times.2023-05-07
[3] "The harm of fatty liver, many people underestimate it", Tencent Medical Codex.2022-08-15
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