What effects can an unhealthy lifestyle have on the liver?
June 18, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Tobias Klein
Dear Doctor,
My name is Paula Schneider and I am reaching out to you because I am concerned about my health. In recent years, I have led an unhealthy lifestyle characterized by lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, and regular alcohol consumption. I am aware that the liver is a vital organ and I wonder what impact my unhealthy lifestyle could have on my liver.
Currently, I often feel tired and fatigued, experience stomach issues, and have noticed a deterioration in my skin. I have also noticed that my belly has increased in size over time. These symptoms are causing me great concern and I wonder if they could be related to a potential liver disease.
I would like to know what specific effects an unhealthy lifestyle can have on the liver. Are there specific diseases that can be caused by alcohol consumption or unhealthy diet? What symptoms indicate that the liver may be damaged? Are there ways to improve my liver health by changing my lifestyle?
I request your expert assessment and possible solutions to maintain or improve my liver health. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Paula Schneider
Dear Mrs. Schneider,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an internist. It is very important that you take care of your health and consider the effects of your lifestyle on your liver.
An unhealthy lifestyle characterized by lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, and regular alcohol consumption can indeed have negative effects on the liver. The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, as it performs a variety of vital functions such as detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile, and storing energy in the form of glycogen.
A prolonged unhealthy lifestyle can damage the liver. Alcohol abuse, for example, can lead to liver diseases such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis. An unhealthy diet high in fat and sugar can also lead to fatty liver disease. These conditions can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, stomach problems, skin issues, and an enlarged abdomen, as you have described.
There are certain symptoms that may indicate liver damage, such as jaundice, dark urine, pale stool, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. It is important to take these symptoms seriously and consult a doctor to investigate possible liver diseases.
However, there are ways to improve the health of your liver by changing your lifestyle. This includes a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol or at least significantly reducing consumption, adequate fluid intake, and avoiding excessive sugar and fat consumption.
It is important to undergo regular medical examinations to monitor the health of your liver and detect possible diseases early. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist to investigate your symptoms and discuss further measures to improve your liver health if necessary.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am always available to answer any further questions.
Sincerely,
Tobias Klein, Internist
