Liver Disease Risks Go Beyond Alcohol
Many people believe liver disease is only linked to alcohol consumption, but gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph Salhab emphasizes that its causes are diverse. In a social media video, he shared 8 key risk factors to raise public awareness about liver health.
The 8 Major Risk Factors
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): One of the most common liver conditions, closely tied to obesity and poor diet.
- Sleep Deprivation: Chronic lack of sleep disrupts metabolism and increases the risk of liver fat accumulation.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure damages blood vessels, affecting liver blood supply and function.
- Diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk of fatty liver and cirrhosis.
- Obesity: Especially abdominal obesity, is a major driver of liver disease.
- High Cholesterol: Abnormal blood lipids promote fat deposition and inflammation in the liver.
- Smoking: Toxins in tobacco directly damage liver cells.
- Genetics: Family history can increase susceptibility to certain liver diseases.
How to Protect Your Liver?
Dr. Salhab recommends maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and getting enough sleep. Regular check-ups and liver function tests are also crucial.
The Xiaoshu Health App can sync with Apple Health to track relevant indicators, helping you monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and sleep quality to safeguard your liver health.