Liver Disease: Did You Know?

A liver transplant can many times be the only life-saving treatment option for patients who have been diagnosed with liver failure. Some of the top causes of liver failure include:

  • Hepatitis (B and C): These viral infections cause inflammation of the liver which, over time, can lead to liver failure and the need for a transplant.
  • Alcoholic liver disease: This disease encompasses three general conditions, including fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. While fatty liver disease is often reversible, severe forms of alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis may lead to liver failure and the need for a transplant.
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Again, this condition includes a variety of diseases which cause too much fat to be stored in liver cells and can cause liver inflammation in severe cases. It is the most common chronic liver disease in the U.S.

Some of the top ways to take care of your liver:

  1. Maintain a generally healthy lifestyle: Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and exercise regularly.
  2. Keep healthy drinking habits: For women and men over 65, this means one drink or less per day. For men under age 65, it is two drinks per day.
  3. Use medications properly: Follow instructions closely and talk to your physician to understand how usage can affect your liver health long-term.
  4. Don’t fall for the hype: Many supplements claim to eliminate “toxins” and help the liver, but there is little verified research to support these claims. Maintaining a consistently healthy lifestyle is a much more effective way to protect your liver!

Now We Join in Celebration

As we celebrate 50 years of providing excellence in transplantation, breakthrough treatments and compassionate coordination of care to the region, we invite you to join us in a 50-day countdown to the anniversary of the first surgery that launched Cincinnati’s most comprehensive transplant program.

Celebrate with us by sharing our stories of transplantation with your social media network using #UCHealthTransplant via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

For more information about UC Health transplant services, please visit uchealth.com/transplant.