The liver is one of our largest and most important organs. Involved in everything from clearing toxins to helping digest food and producing various proteins, enzymes, and clotting factors, it's no surprise that it's just not possible to survive without one.
"Hepatitis" is a word that simply means liver inflammation. It can be the result of various non-infectious causes, such as drinking too much alcohol for prolonged periods of time or autoimmune diseases, viral hepatitis can be the culprit. Though the various kinds of hepatitis are all profoundly different, what they have in common is that they're a danger to the liver. In some cases, the body spontaneously clears viral hepatitis from the system, even without treatment. In other cases, however, the disease becomes chronic, and even sometimes lifelong.
1. Living with chronic hepatitis: Dietary tips
A balanced diet is one of the foundations of everyone's health — but when you live with hepatitis, it becomes even more important. For a liver-healthy diet, strongly consider:
- Maintaining a healthy weight if you're already at one, and working toward losing weight if you are currently overweight or obese — but in a healthy, gradual, way.
- Cutting down on fatty junk foods rich in "bad" cholesterol, which can unfortunately encourage liver scarring.
- Including plenty of nutrient-rich fruits and veggies in your diet. Storing certain vitamins is one of the liver's many functions, and chronic hepatitis makes this harder. With hepatitis, you may be suffering from a reduced appetite, but don't neglect this important source of vitamins and minerals.
- Making sure you get enough protein. Good sources include meat, fish, eggs, and beans, and making sure you get enough will help keep your energy levels up as well as working to maintain your strength.
- Limiting your salt intake, especially if you have cirrhosis or are at risk.
- Talking to your doctor about your iron intake. This is important, because eating more iron than you use means the excess is stored in your liver — bad news.
- Drinking plenty of water — this will make it easier for your body to eliminate toxins.
2. Living well with hepatitis means staying away from dangerous substances
True — alcohol was never good for you, and illegal drugs (including marijuana), if you ever used them, weren't either. When you have hepatitis, steering clear of these harmful toxins becomes more important than ever before, however, as using them damages your already besieged liver even further, putting you at risk of cirrhosis and other hepatitis-related complications. Now is the time to commit to living a straight-edge life. If that is hard to accomplish on your own, or if you are struggling with addiction, know that help is available.
Alcohol and drugs aren't the only substances that can have a negative impact on your liver function and health, though. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can harm your liver, too, as can herbal supplements. Arnica, capsicum, comfrey, kava, pomegranate, and spirulina are just some of many herbs that can be very dangerous to your liver if you live with hepatitis. Always ask your doctor exactly what you should be staying away from. Your pharmacist can be a helpful source of information, too.
You'll also want to stay away, as much as possible, from pollutants like smog and second-hand smoke.
3. Living with hepatitis doesn't mean you can't exercise
Exercise — or, of course, some other regular physical activity, including walking or cycling as a means of transport — can help you maintain or lose weight, which is important if you have hepatitis. It can also boost your depleted energy levels, along with your mood, and contribute to a stronger immune system. Talk to your doctor before you make definite plans, but definitely don't think you shouldn't be exercising with chronic hepatitis.
4. Follow your doctor's instructions. If you have questions, ask them.
So, take the medications you were prescribed exactly as instructed. If you experience adverse effects, don't stop taking your medications, but do let your doctor know. Stick to the lifestyle changes your doctor recommends. If you're not sure whether or not you should be doing something, ask. And if you notice new and scary symptoms like pale bowel movements, yellow eyes and skin, nausea, vomiting, very dark urine, or wounds that won't heal or cuts that take a long time to stop bleeding, report this immediately.
The same goes for your mental health, by the way — it isn't uncommon for people with chronic hepatitis to become depressed. Not only does depression (obviously) reduce your quality of life, it may also interfere with your ability to follow your doctor's instructions by living a healthy life and taking your medications as prescribed. Treatment is available, with psychotherapy being a very effective option that doesn't involve more medications.
Out of all the tips for a healthy life with chronic hepatitis, developing a good working relationship with your doctor is the most important one — it covers everything else, too, as your doctor will definitely tell you to stay away from substances that further damage your liver, eat a healthy diet, and get regular physical activity.
- Photo courtesy of SteadyHealth