Liver Talk..is a Blog that talks about the Liver! Everything from nutrition to transplant! Come join us on our journey with our livers...and be sure to share your journey with us...we aim to support liver disease patients and their caregivers!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
There Is Hope - Reuters
Reuters published an article recently that shows a 98% cure rate in previously untreated Hep C patients! There is hope! It seems that all of the major drug companies are competing to come up with the best cure rate, with little side effects, for Hepatitis C. Check out the article: Merck Hepatitis C Drugs Shine in Easier to Treat Patients: Study
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty Liver Disease - According to WebMD some fat in the liver is normal, but if fat makes up more than 5%-10% of the weight of your liver, you may have alcoholic or nonalcoholic liver disease. In some cases, these diseases can lead to serious complications.
Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) affects about 15 million American's due to the abuse of alcohol and almost all of these people develop fatty livers. This disease can occur after small or large amounts of alcohol and can be passed on through genetics or heredity.
Other factors that may influence your chances of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease include:
*Hepatitis C (which can lead to liver inflammation)
*An overload of iron
*Obesity
*Diet
*Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what's called a fatty liver. Although this is not normal, it is not serious if it doesn't lead to inflammation or damage.
Others have what's called nonalcoholic steatohepatisis (NASH). Although it is similar to alcoholic liver disease, people with this type of fatty liver disease drink little or no alcohol. NASH can lead to permanent liver damage. The liver may enlarge and cirrhosis can occur. The liver can't work right and you may develop liver failure, liver cancer, and liver-related death. NASH is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis.
Both types of NAFLD are becoming more common. Up to 20% of adults may have either fatty liver or NASH. And more than 6 million children have one of these conditions, which are most common in Asian and Hispanic children. Recent evidence indicates that NAFLD increases the risk of heart disease in children who are overweight or obese.
Potential causes of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD):
The cause of NAFLD is not really clear, but it runs in families, middle aged people, overweight people, and people with high cholesterol or triglycerides, and diabetes.
Other potential causes of fatty liver disease include:
*Medications
*Viral hepatitis
*Autoimmune or inherited liver disease
*Rapid weight loss
*Malnutrition
Recent studies show that an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and other changes in the intestine may be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Some researchers now suspect this may play a role in the progression of NAFLD to NASH.
NASH or NAFLD can be treated with a good diet of low saturated fat and low fructose corn syrup. Some research says that drinking 2 cups of coffee per day can also help the disease. Other research shows that the disease is linked to low levels of Vitamin D, in those cases, a vitamin D supplement can help in the treatment of NAFLD.
Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) affects about 15 million American's due to the abuse of alcohol and almost all of these people develop fatty livers. This disease can occur after small or large amounts of alcohol and can be passed on through genetics or heredity.
Other factors that may influence your chances of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease include:
*Hepatitis C (which can lead to liver inflammation)
*An overload of iron
*Obesity
*Diet
*Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what's called a fatty liver. Although this is not normal, it is not serious if it doesn't lead to inflammation or damage.
Others have what's called nonalcoholic steatohepatisis (NASH). Although it is similar to alcoholic liver disease, people with this type of fatty liver disease drink little or no alcohol. NASH can lead to permanent liver damage. The liver may enlarge and cirrhosis can occur. The liver can't work right and you may develop liver failure, liver cancer, and liver-related death. NASH is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis.
Both types of NAFLD are becoming more common. Up to 20% of adults may have either fatty liver or NASH. And more than 6 million children have one of these conditions, which are most common in Asian and Hispanic children. Recent evidence indicates that NAFLD increases the risk of heart disease in children who are overweight or obese.
Potential causes of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD):
The cause of NAFLD is not really clear, but it runs in families, middle aged people, overweight people, and people with high cholesterol or triglycerides, and diabetes.
Other potential causes of fatty liver disease include:
*Medications
*Viral hepatitis
*Autoimmune or inherited liver disease
*Rapid weight loss
*Malnutrition
Recent studies show that an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and other changes in the intestine may be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Some researchers now suspect this may play a role in the progression of NAFLD to NASH.
NASH or NAFLD can be treated with a good diet of low saturated fat and low fructose corn syrup. Some research says that drinking 2 cups of coffee per day can also help the disease. Other research shows that the disease is linked to low levels of Vitamin D, in those cases, a vitamin D supplement can help in the treatment of NAFLD.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Hep C - TV
Link: Hepatitis C News
To become a part of the Hep C News Community
Email: editor@hepatitiscnews.com
Foods to Avoid When Living with Hepatitis C
Nicole Cutler, a licensed Acupuncturist & Holistic Health Advocate talks about foods to avoid when living with Hepatitis C.
* Alcohol: Any Kind
* Fast Food: High in Fat & Calories
* High Glycemic Carbohydrates: Potatoes, Corn, White Flour, White Rice, Refined Sugar, Most Refined Breakfast Cereals
* Iron Rich Food: Eat Little to No Red Meat, Use Iron Free Vitamins, Use Iron Free Cookware, Regulating Vitamin C Intake
* Unwashed Produce: Thoroughly Wash Pesticides off of Produce
Brought to you by: Hepatitis-Central.com
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Spring is in the air!
Hello there...It has been awhile since I've posted and I have to say that I am finally feeling better. My triple treatment, for Hep C, ended in the middle of December...almost three months ago and spring is in the air! I was supposed to be finishing a 48 week treatment plan for Hep C this very weekend, but the virus broke through the treatment after five months of being virus free and treatment was stopped.
I have to say that it's been a long winter though...not only has the weather been really bad, but the cold has really effected my Cryoglobulinemia, a disease of the blood that gets worse in cold temperatures. This disease is associated, in some cases, with Hepatitis C. It has been a painful winter for me but, somehow I have become a better person.
I still may have the Hep C virus, but I have quit smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and have faithfully visited my therapist once a week. I also recently cleared up a bad case of unwanted or the lack of good bacteria in my digestive system. I feel much better, my voice has gotten a lot better, and I am starting to get my strength back.
I still have another three months to go before I try another treatment for the Hep C and am really looking forward to the coming of spring, flowers, and the warm weather to be upon me and all of you!
It's amazing what a little faith can do!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
And Here I Am...
It has been several months since my doctor discontinued my treatment, virus broke through the treatment. Treatment that lasted for 9 months and of that 9 months, I was Hep C virus free for 5 months!! The first month, after treatment was discontinued, was real bad and it took me a lot of Faith and Hope to get through this month. I was sure I was going to die and if it wasn't for my therapist, my sister and brother-in-law, and another support group member, I would be back where I was a year ago...lost!!!
As it stood and still does, I have a real bad digestive problem, acid reflux problems, and a sinus infection. My liver specialist instructed me to see my primary care doctor, who is now 8 months pregnant, and at the visit I had with her last month she said she would like me to wait until some more of the drugs, from treatment, got out of my system to treat my 3 symptoms. She is now not available...and I will be seeing another physician, that does not know me!! Faith...I have to have Faith!!!
I have another 4 months until all of the Ribavirin gets out of my system. I can, at that point, start another new treatment. Sofosbuvir and Simeprevir can be taken for 12 weeks and studies have shown a 89% cure rate. You can read about this treatment at this address: New 12 week Treatment for Hep C is FDA Approved
Anyone who says that there are no post symptoms, when treatment is stopped due to virus' reappearance, is not right. I have gone from having no cryoglobulin anemia to have severe symptoms and my viral load has gone from 0 to 511,886 IU/mL in one month. I hurt all over and have developed terrible digestive problems and sinusitis.
I wish that I had a bunch of money or, should I say, enough money to try the homeopathic remedies available, at least for the next four months...I would do it. The doctor charges $450.00 as an initial fee and then you have to pay for all the medicines she prescribes. Right now I would take anything to help me feel better and hopefully this will happen soon...I have a doctors appointment next Thursday...hope my new doctor is good!!
I will check back soon and keep you updated...until then, take care of yourself!!!
As it stood and still does, I have a real bad digestive problem, acid reflux problems, and a sinus infection. My liver specialist instructed me to see my primary care doctor, who is now 8 months pregnant, and at the visit I had with her last month she said she would like me to wait until some more of the drugs, from treatment, got out of my system to treat my 3 symptoms. She is now not available...and I will be seeing another physician, that does not know me!! Faith...I have to have Faith!!!
I have another 4 months until all of the Ribavirin gets out of my system. I can, at that point, start another new treatment. Sofosbuvir and Simeprevir can be taken for 12 weeks and studies have shown a 89% cure rate. You can read about this treatment at this address: New 12 week Treatment for Hep C is FDA Approved
Anyone who says that there are no post symptoms, when treatment is stopped due to virus' reappearance, is not right. I have gone from having no cryoglobulin anemia to have severe symptoms and my viral load has gone from 0 to 511,886 IU/mL in one month. I hurt all over and have developed terrible digestive problems and sinusitis.
I wish that I had a bunch of money or, should I say, enough money to try the homeopathic remedies available, at least for the next four months...I would do it. The doctor charges $450.00 as an initial fee and then you have to pay for all the medicines she prescribes. Right now I would take anything to help me feel better and hopefully this will happen soon...I have a doctors appointment next Thursday...hope my new doctor is good!!
I will check back soon and keep you updated...until then, take care of yourself!!!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Hepatitis Slideshow Pictures: A Visual Guide to Hepatitis
Slide show is courtesy of WebMD.com!
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