Liver facts

FACTS ABOUT LIVER CONDITIONS

9 out of 10 harmful drinkers will develop a alcohol-related liver condition
Around 30 per cent of people with alcohol-related liver disease will develop cirrhosis which is pretty much permanent damage
Almost 400,000 people in England & Wales are at significant risk of developing alcohol-related cirrhosis in a decade
More men are thought to develop alcohol-related cirrhosis but the gender gap is decreasing
The liver does not complain if it is damaged, it only complains when it can no longer cope and is pushed to its limits

Rates of fatty liver can be closely linked to obesity numbers
The incidence of fatty liver increases with BMI and waist circumference
Obesity could overtake alcohol as a leading cause of liver disease in the future and is a huge public health issue
Weight-related liver conditions are linked with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, stroke & many more
90% of morbidly obese individuals have fatty livers
More than half a million people in England could end up with obesity-related cirrhosis

You can get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, there is even a combined vaccine so you only have to endure the pain once!
There is a myth that you can be vaccinated for hepatitis C, but we hate to break it you, YOU CANNOT
Destinations that pose the most risk are Asia, South Pacific, Sub-Sahara Africa, Eastern Europe and Egypt
If you are planning to travel abroad, visit your GP or local travel clinic first to see if you need to get vaccinated to protect yourself from hep A & B
You can get hepatitis A through contaminated water or food, whereas hepatitis B & C are mainly passed on through blood