Άρ.Dealing with Liver Disease
The largest internal organ, the liver literally keeps you alive. It performs over 100 separate bodily functions; and its sheer complexity makes it susceptible to almost as many different diseases. Fortunately, most are rare. But there are a few that are all too common, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver disorders in children, alcohol-related disorders, and liver cancer.
The American Liver Foundation reports that more than 25 million people are afflicted with liver and gallbladder disease each year. Over 27,000 Americans die from cirrhosis annually, making it the country's third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 25 and 59, and the seventh leading cause of death overall. Viruses, hereditary defects, and reactions to drugs and chemicals are among the known causes of liver breakdown. Though few treatments are effective for life-threatening liver disease, avoiding alcohol and other substances known to cause damage can do a lot to safeguard this important organ. A recently developed vaccine against the hepatitis B virus is now being recommended for children and for adults such as health-care workers who are in danger of exposure. The liver is located behind the lower ribs, right below the diaphragm on the right side of the abdomen. In an average-sized man, it is about the size of a football, weighing a little over three pounds.