Unconscious drug consumption, use of protein powders and malnutrition… These are just a few of the causes that lead to liver failure. Approximately 8-10 thousand people in our country are struggling with liver failure, and the majority of these patients die because the necessary treatments are not applied. In end-stage liver failure, the only solution is liver transplantation.

 

The number of people waiting for organ transplants is increasing.

According to the data of the Ministry of Health from 2014; the number of patients who are waiting for kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, heart valve and small intestine donations from cadaver is 21.767, 2.132, 537, 250, 38, 4 and 1, respectively. However, it is estimated that there are thousands of patients who are not registered on this list, yet. Living donor liver transplants are performed more frequently than cadaveric transplants in our country due to the lack of organ donation being the most important reason. Looking at the statistical data for 2002-2014, a total of 31,783 organ transplants have been performed in Turkey so far, and of these 8,666 cadaveric and 23,117 living donors were performed.

 

Liver health is essential for the continuation of life

The liver, which makes up about 2% of body weight, is the brain of metabolism and it is also the factory of the body. The liver performs over 500 biochemical processes. Maintaining the health of the liver is very important for the survival of the organism.

 

Beware of unconscious drug consumption and poisonous mushrooms!

Acute liver failure is a clinical presentation that develops suddenly (within 6-8 weeks) in a person who is not known to have liver disease before. This process is very dangerous and can lead to death. Using some drugs unconsciously, toxic substances, mushroom poisoning, some unknown reasons, protein extracts (protein, powders, drugs) used for sports and diet can cause acute liver failure. Particular attention should be paid to the consumption of wild mushrooms since consuming even one of these mushrooms can cause liver disease.

 

50% of it is caused by hepatitis B

The causes such as hepatitis A, B, C and excessive alcohol consumption play a role in the development of chronic liver failure. Although there is vaccination against hepatitis A and B, liver failure in our country mostly develops due to hepatitis B. The fact that people are not vaccinated and hygienic conditions are not provided is a major factor in this. In Western societies, liver failure develops mostly due to alcohol. Another cause of this ailment is fatty liver. The liver can become fat due to alcohol consumption and malnutrition. Some of the fatty liver caused by some reasons such as malnutrition can progress very quickly and turn into acute liver failure.

 

Cirrhosis shortens the lifespan of the liver

If chronic liver patients are not treated, they go into end-stage liver failure, called cirrhosis. Since the liver is no longer working at that stage, other organs are also affected and become inoperable. The risk of developing a liver tumor increases 10 times. Therefore, people with liver disease are in the first place in the risk group in terms of cancer. Approximately 65-70 percent of patients who enter the process called “decompensation” in liver failure die within 2 years. In this process, bleeding occurs due to varicose veins around the esophagus. These recurrent bleedings indicate that it is the last stage before the transplantation.

 

Organ transplantation is a magic touch to a patient’s life

Thanks to transplantation, a long and quality life is provided to patients in the last stage of liver failure. Liver transplantation is performed in the last stage of liver failure. This decision is made as a result of the examinations performed in liver transplant centers. After the transplant, people can continue their social lives more actively. Pregnancy and a healthy birth are possible 2 years after the transplant. Again, after transplantation, athletes can return to sports life with the decision and control of their doctor. In short, post-transplant patients experience positive physical and social changes.

 

Watch out for these for a healthy liver:

• Get your hepatitis A and B vaccines.
• Ensure your hygienic conditions.
• Avoid unconscious drug consumption.
• Pay attention to mushroom consumption.
• Do not use protein extracts and drugs for sports and weight loss.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• If you are overweight, follow a diet under expert control.
• Be your own life coach. Eat healthy and exercise regularly.
• Talk about organ donation at least once in your social settings.