‘Keep your liver healthy for a healthy life’

Bhubaneswar: A healthy lifestyle is the key to protect your liver, an important organ which supports functioning of nearly every other organ of the human body, noted gastroenterologist Prof Manoj Kumar Sahu said here on Wednesday.
“The liver is one of the hardest working organs as it performs over 500 functions including detoxification of various metabolites, protein synthesis and production of bio-chemicals necessary for digestion,” Sahu said, addressing a gathering of Scouts and Guides cadets and trainers from different districts on the occasion of World Liver Day here.
Sahu, head of department of gastroenterology and hepatobiliary sciences at Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, said the liver plays a role in metabolism, maintenance of body immunity, regulation of glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells and hormone production, according to a release.
Stating that everything we ate and drank including medicines passed through the liver, he said every person should maintain a lifestyle which adequately took care of the liver. “Consumption of alcohol can damage liver cells and lead to swelling or scarring which leads to cirrhosis, a deadly condition. Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise to help your liver,” he said, adding one should consult a medical professional before undergoing medication.
Pointing out that the liver was prone to diseases because of its multi-dimensional functions, Sahu said it might not manifest any symptom initially but weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of weight or yellow discoloration of skin could mean that the liver was suffering.
“The common liver diseases are viral hepatitis, hepatitis due to drugs and other non-infectious causes, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections of liver. If the damage persists, it could lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer,” he added.
“The best way to live a healthy life is to keep your liver healthy,” he said, adding, “The need was to avoid unnecessary abuse or damage to the liver and it was always better to get examined and diagnosed for any liver disease at an early stage and get it treated.”
Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scout and Guides (Odisha) Kali Prasad Mishra presided over the programme, which was preceded by a rally by the cadets who spread awareness about taking care of the liver. Two other gastroenterologists of SUM Hospital, Dr. Debasish Mishra and Dr. Jimmy Narayan, also spoke on the occasion. Mr. Ramamurthy Dora, Secretary of Bharat Scout and Guides, proposed the vote of thanks.