TORONTO, March 3, 2015 /CNW/ - The shock of a liver
disease diagnosis is often accompanied by confusion. With alcohol
being the most recognized risk factor for liver disease, many
Canadians mistakenly assume that they have nothing to worry about
if they are moderate to non-drinkers. To kick off Liver Health
Month, the Canadian Liver Foundation is sharing five lesser known
risk factors that will help show there is more to liver disease
than the stereotype suggests.
"Liver disease is underdiagnosed in Canada and it is due in part to the perception
that alcohol consumption is the only risk factor," says
Gary Fagan, President of the
Canadian Liver Foundation. "Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is
actually the most common liver disease in Canada and there are many other forms of liver
disease linked to genetics or even our immune system that most
people have never heard of until they are personally affected by
them. Some risk factors can be addressed but some cannot which is
why it's important to have liver tests so problems can be
identified as early as possible."
Some surprising liver disease facts:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of five liver diseases
responsible for 95% of liver-related deaths in Canada
- Biliary atresia (a disease with an unknown cause resulting in
bile duct abnormalities in infants) is the leading cause of liver
failure in children
- Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver
failure
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (a bile duct disease) affects 1 in
500 middle-aged women.
The following are five surprising risk factors for liver
disease:
- Obesity
Over the years, our poor eating habits and
sedentary lifestyles have led to a dramatic increase in obesity.
Unfortunately, obesity often leads to fat build-up in the liver
which in turns causes inflammation – otherwise known as
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. This condition can
progress to a more severe stage in which there is an ongoing damage
to the liver with scarring – known as cirrhosis. When
cirrhosis develops, the liver will slowly stop functioning.
- Genetics
The genes we inherit from our parents
dictate physical characteristics like hair and eye colour but they
also determine our susceptibility to certain forms of liver
disease. Several forms of liver disease – including Wilson disease
which leads to a toxic build up of copper, and hemochromatosis
which causes the body to store up excess iron– are the result of
inherited gene abnormalities. Tyrosinemia, Alagille syndrome and
galactosemia are examples of inherited liver diseases that can be
life-threatening for infants and very young children.
- Immune system
The immune system's job is to protect
the body but sometimes it takes its work a little too seriously.
There are certain liver diseases that are the result of the immune
system attacking the liver. Auto-immune hepatitis, primary
sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
are all linked to the immune system. Researchers do not yet know
what causes the immune system to turn on the liver or why some
people are more susceptible to these diseases than others. It is
believed that the trigger could be a combination of genetic and
environmental factors. Recent CLF funded research has shown that
PBC could actually be caused by a virus.
- Medication
In our busy lives, few of us have time to
be sick and thankfully there are numerous medications that can
treat everything from a common cold to chronic physical and mental
conditions. Unfortunately, as the organ tasked with processing all
medications, the liver can be vulnerable to injury due to toxic
combinations of medications and inadvertent overdoses.
- The unknown
While some forms of liver disease have
identifiable causes and risk factors, many others do not. Liver
diseases can affect anyone at any age and we don't necessarily know
why. The good news is that the most common liver diseases can be
prevented, treated or even cured. With more research, we may one
day be able to do the same for the
others.
During Liver Health Month, the Canadian Liver Foundation will be
sharing personal stories and liver disease facts via its website
and social media to encourage the public to take a second look at
liver disease and consider that 'Maybe it's not the disease you
think it is'. The Foundation will also be launching its new brand
which highlights the importance of liver health and the CLF's
commitment to 'bringing liver research to life". Visit
www.liver.ca/march to find out more and help spread the
word.
About the Canadian Liver Foundation
Founded in 1969,
the Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) was the first organization in
the world devoted to providing support for research and education
into the causes, diagnoses, prevention and treatment of all liver
disease. Today we are the largest charitable funder of
liver-related research and we are committed to bringing liver
research to life by promoting liver health, improving public
awareness and understanding of liver disease and providing support
to individuals affected by liver disease. To learn more or to make
a donation, visit www.liver.ca
SOURCE Canadian Liver Foundation