Liver

Lesson 4
Liver
 is an organ about the size of a football.
 It sits just under your rib cage on the
right side of your abdomen.
 It is essential for digesting food and
ridding your body of toxic substances.
Liver
Two main lobes, left and right
consist the liver and they
overlap slightly.
Each lobe contains lobules,
which are the building blocks
of the liver.
The liver is a unique Internal
body organ. It can regenerate
or grow back cells that have
been destroyed by some short-
term injury or disease.
Liver
One of the most important
functions of the liver is storing
energy in the form of glycogen,
a type of sugar.
Glucose is a kind of sugar.
When blood glucose level is
high, the glucose is removed
from the blood by the liver.
When the blood glucose level
is low, the liver transforms
glycogen into glucose.
Liver
The liver produces bile, a
yellowish brown liquid that
contains salts necessary for the
digestion of lipids or fats.
These salts are produced
within the lobules.
Liver
The liver also helps clear toxic
substances like drugs and
alcohol from the bloodstream
by absorbing and excreting
them in the bile.
The liver also stores vitamins,
including a two-to four-year
supply of vitamin B12.
Liver
 The liver is the site of the production of several important
proteins found in the blood. Albumin is a protein that helps
retain calcium in the bloodstream and also helps regulate the
movement of water from the bloodstream into the body's
tissues.
The liver also produces globin, one of the two components that
form hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying substance in red blood
cells.
It also produces cholesterol, a key component of cell
membranes that transport fats in the bloodstream to body
tissues.
Diseases That Affect the liver
Even though the liver is known for its regeneration ability, it is also subject to
many diseases that threatens a person's health.
Diseases of the liver range from mild Infection to life-threatening liver failure.
 The first sign of having a liver ailment is having a condition called jaundice. It Is
characterized by a yellowish coloring of the skin and the whitening of the eyes.
When liver cells lose their ability to process bilirubin, which is the yellowish
brown pigment found in bile, jaundice develops.
Whenever injury or disease affects the rest of the body, the liver can be harmed,
For example, if diabetes is not properly treated, the liver may be damaged, Cancer
of the intestines or stomach may also spread to the liver.
 The liver can also be damaged by some diseases caused by parasites. Drug use,
long-term use of some prescribed medications, and illegal drugs may also
damage the liver.
 Liver cells can also be damaged by poisons. Poisons from certain mushrooms
and other foods can cause complete liver failure.
Diseases That Affect the liver
Hepatitis
 an inflammation of the liver. It is one of the most common liver diseases.
 caused by one of several viruses. It may also be caused by bacterial infections, certain
chemicals, and by autoimmune (of, relating to, or caused by anti-bodies that attack a
person's cells or tissues) diseases.
 Flulike symptoms and jaundice are produced by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) that lives in feces
in the intestinal tract.
Hepatitis A is prevalent in areas where drinking water is contaminated with raw sewage.
Effective measures for prevention of hepatitis A are good hygiene practices and vaccination.
Hepatitis B is a more serious liver ailment. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) may remain active in the
body for many years after the time of infection and may permanently damage the liver.

 The virus can be found in the blood and other body fluids like tears, saliva, and semen. It is
spread through unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing of infected needles or other
sharp objects that puncture the skin
 Preventions or treatments of hepatitis include using sanitized needles for injections and
engaging in sexual intercourse with only one partner to avoid contracting the disease.
Diseases That Affect the liver
Cirrhosis
 the hardening and destruction of what would otherwise be healthy liver tissues.
 The onset of this disease is often so slow, and the clinical symptoms often manifest
themselves when the disease has already reached an advanced stage, that both patient and
doctor fail to adopt precautionary measures
 Cirrhosis brings about a swelling of the abdomen due to an abnormal build-up of
uneliminated fluids there. Large veins or vascular spiders are then seen over the region of
the abdomen and around the base of the neck.
 Symptoms Hemorrhoids are usually present, with gastrointestinal bleeding and fatty stools.
-loss of appetite, malnutrition, and fatigue. Yellowing of the eyes is also common
 A patient with cirrhosis should change his diet and unnatural lifestyle.
-Heavy consumption of flesh foods, especially fats, animal milk, and dairy butter and
cheese, should be discarded.
-A healthy diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes.
-For liver complaints, papaya, eggplant and carrots are best remedies.
 Liver transplants are options for people with impending liver failure or for those with severe
liver disease.
Proper Care for the Liver
Your health is affected by any malfunctioning of the liver. Observe
the following healthy practices to keep your liver functioning
smoothly.
 Always wash your hands with soap and clean water before and
after eating, and after using the toilet.
 Move your bowels in sanitary toilets only and not just anywhere.
The feces may contaminate water supply and become the
breeding place of flies and other pests. These flies and pests may
touch food.
 Always keep your surroundings clean. Dispose of garbage properly
so as not to contaminate water sources and to breed flies and
other pests.
Proper Care for the Liver
 Obtain clear, clean drinking water only from safe sources.
 Avoid playing in dirty and murky waters as well as in flood waters
to avoid contracting germs and bacteria.
 Always cover food from flies and other pests, which may use this
as their breeding place.
 Eat clean food always with clean hands and sterilized utensils in a
clean environment
 Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
 Always eat a balanced diet. Eat foods rich in fiber or high roughage
food.
 Eat regularly and observe the proper time for eating.
Proper Care for the Liver
 Chew food slowly for proper digestion.
 Do not eat when you are emotionally stressed. When you are sad,
tense, or angry, the food taken in will not be properly digested and
may cause indigestion. Be happy. Food digests better when you
are happy.
 Drink plenty of juices and water every day. Consume at least 10
glasses of water daily
 Engage in cheerful and relaxing conversations during mealtime.
The appetite is triggered by happy talks.