What’s this?

It’s 96% water It has over 500 functions It’s the largest internal organ Without it, you’d die! Liver disease is the 5th biggest killer in the UK, and the only one on the increase You’ve only got one It’s about the size of a rugby ball… It’s on your right-hand side under your ribcage Your liver has no nerve endings – so you may not know you are damaging it!

Rugby ball game…

What does your liver do? 1. Filtration – it cleans and filters harmful substances either made by the body (e.g. metabolic waste) or put into the body (e.g. sugary and fatty food, alcohol and all other types of drugs). Toxins can build up in the blood stream. They can enter the brain and other organs, affecting your mental and physical condition. This can present as dementia, it can cause brain swelling, blood poisoning and, ultimately, death. What would happen if the liver stopped doing this?

What does your liver do? 2. Digestion – it produces bile, which breaks down fat from the food we eat and helps aid digestion. We would be unable to excrete waste from the body. What would happen if the liver stopped doing this?

What does your liver do? 3. Storage – it stores vitamins and minerals (like iron) and releases them into the blood stream as and when needed. We would either become deficient (not have enough) in essential minerals in our body, leading to illnesses such as osteoporosis (brittle bones), or our bodies could become ‘overloaded’ with minerals (they can build up) which can have poisonous effects What would happen if the liver stopped doing this?

What does your liver do? 4. Metabolism – the conversion of food into energy. We would not be able to function. We would not be able to walk, run, think or do anything, and we would also not be able to do things we cannot see, such as fight off infection or grow and develop. What would happen if the liver stopped doing this?

What does your liver do? 5. Coagulation – it creates blood-clotting substances to help form scabs and stop bleeding. When we cut ourselves we would not be able to stop the bleeding, which could lead to loss of life. If your body cannot form a scab it would take a very long time for wounds to heal and they could become infected. What would happen if the liver stopped doing this?

Liver disease is increasing The only major cause of death still increasing year-on-year. The third most common cause of premature death in the UK. Twice as many people now die from liver disease as in The average age of death is falling every year. Symptoms are very hard to diagnose at first. It is becoming a young person’s disease: habits formed from an early age.

Eat healthily - try to include at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. Avoid too much sugar, processed, fatty and junk foods. Take regular exercise. Build it into your routine or hobbies. When travelling abroad ensure you have your travel vaccinations and follow good hygiene regimes. Protect your liver! 1. Live well

Protect your liver! 2. Alcohol Not drinking alcohol puts the liver at far less risk. Drinking over the recommended guidelines for adults can damage the liver. There are hidden ‘empty’ calories in alcohol. Taking at least 2–3 consecutive days off alcohol a week will give the liver a rest.

Protect your liver! 3. Protect yourself against viral hepatitis Using a condom can prevent viral hepatitis being passed on. Sharing equipment which could have been contaminated with blood or body fluids such as; razors, tweezers, nail scissors, hypodermic needles, tattoo needles or cocaine straws, can pass on the virus. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B Ensure you have your travel vaccinations and follow good hygiene regimes

Non-lifestyle related liver disease 5% of liver conditions are not caused by lifestyle Autoimmune conditions such as PBC (primary biliary cirrhosis), PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis) and AIH (autoimmune hepatitis). Nutrient overload disorders such as haemochromatosis (iron overload) and Wilson’s Disease (copper overload) which can be hereditary conditions. Pregnancy related conditions such as OC (obstetric cholestasis). Some tumours, cancers and syndromes such as Gilberts (higher than normal levels of bilirubin in the blood).

1. Think about your eating, drinking & exercise habits. 2. Think about how to avoid the risk of viral hepatitis. 3. What’s My Score worksheet – take away and complete in your own time. 4. Complete Exit tickets to assess learning. What can you do differently?

Liver Good Life You’ve only got one! Thank you