We know that the skin plays a vital role in notifying people of their illnesses, or if someone’s body isn’t as healthy as it should be. Skin is the largest organ of the body and can often drop clues that major concerns are arising in other organs – for example, liver damage. Here, Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine looks at how the skin reveals signs of serious problems with the liver and ways to strengthen this second-largest organ of the body.
More than six million Australians experience chronic liver disease. Considering the liver is our largest internal organ and can perform up to 500 functions to keep us healthy, it’s absolutely vital to keep it in optimal condition.¹
The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing points to data from 2022 showing 2113 males and 792 females were newly diagnosed with the life-threatening disease of liver cancer in this country last year.²
According to the data, there were an estimated 2492 deaths of those living with liver cancer in Australia last year, with most fatal cases involving men.
Why are men more at risk?
More men drink alcohol more excessively compared with women, which according to an article published in a US journal, is why men are more likely to die from alcohol-related liver disease than women.3
Similarly, in Australia, the National Alcohol and Drug Knowledgebase states that Australian men usually drink more than women on a day when both genders are drinking.
The number of standard drinks differs greatly, with 63 per cent of women sticking to one or two standard drinks, whereas only 43 per cent of males would stick to just having two on a regular day.4
Pointers to liver disease
When a patient is assessed for liver disease, the GP will examine a number of elements through a liver biopsy, liver function tests, ultrasound, a CT scan or an MRI scan.5
Symptoms from the most common liver diseases include:
- Jaundice (including yellowing of the skin).
- Cholestasis.
- Enlargement of the liver.
- Portal hypertension.
- Oesophageal varices.
- Ascites (fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity).
- Liver encephalopathy.
- Liver failure.
Jaundice
Many people will be familiar with jaundice as it occurs significantly in newborn babies, with their skin turning yellow. Similarly, adults with jaundice will see a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, as a result of high levels of bile pigment in the bloodstream.5
In addition to major skin colour changes, one’s urine will be dark because of the bile pigment transferred through the kidneys. Jaundice is generally the first sign of liver disease.
Treatments and lifestyle changes
The specific type of liver disease one has will determine the appropriate treatment. This can include surgery that focuses on gallstones or blocked bile ducts, or placement of a stent that lets the bile flow past the blockage.6
To help relieve jaundice and other liver disease, Healthdirect recommends:
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Increasing water intake.
- Plenty of rest.
- Avoiding medicines that can impact the liver.
According to LiverWell Victoria, people can in fact eat their way to a healthier liver. The organisation suggests avoiding sweet, fatty and salty foods, including many takeaway options.1
LiverWell recommends consuming lean meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk and yoghurt in moderate portions and increasing intake of fish and seafood, along with a daily serving of fruit, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice and other grains.
For more information and tips on how to tackle liver disease, visit the Liver Foundation at liver.org.au.
References
- LiverWell Victoria. ‘Facts and stats’. liverwell.org.au/your-liver/living-well/eating-well/
- Australian government, 2022. ‘Liver cancer in Australia statistics’. canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/liver-cancer/statistics
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, 2023. ‘Are men more susceptible to liver disease than women?’ upmc.com/2023/01/gender-and-liver-disease/
- National Alcohol and Drug Knowledgebase, 2019. ‘Do men or women in Australia drink more alcohol? flinders.edu.au/kb/alcohol/consumption-patterns/quanitity-consumption/do-men-or-women-in-australia-drink-more-alcohol#:~:text=Australian%20men%20usually%20drink%20more,(63%25%20vs%2043%25).
- John Hopkins Medicine. ‘Common characteristics of liver disease’. org/health/conditions-and-diseases/common-characteristics-of-liver-disease#:~:text=Jaundice%20is%20a%20yellow%20discoloration,bile%20pigment)%20in%20the%20bloodstream.
- ‘What is jaundice?’ healthdirect.gov.au/jaundice#treated
This feature was originally published in the April issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
