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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Liver Disease

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the disease?

Some liver diseases can be prevented, while others cannot. For example, hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccines. Other ways to decrease the risk of infectious liver disease include:

practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands well after using the restroom or changing diapers

avoiding drinking or using tap water when traveling internationally

avoiding behaviors like sharing drug needles

practicing safer sex

avoiding the sharing of personal hygiene items, such as razors or nail clippers

avoiding toxic substances and excess alcohol consumption

avoiding improper combinations or use of medications

using caution around industrial chemicals

eating a well balanced diet following the food guide pyramid

getting an injection of immune globulin after exposure to hepatitis A or hepatitis B. This may prevent the hepatitis A or B infection from developing.

the use of safety precautions by healthcare and day care workers

Some forms of liver disease, such as liver disease a person is born with, cannot be prevented.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Long- term effects depend on the type of liver disease present. For example, chronic hepatitis can lead to:

cirrhosis of the liver

liver failure

illnesses in other parts of the body, such as kidney damage or low blood counts

Other long-term effects of liver disease may include:

gastrointestinal bleeding. This includes bleeding esophageal varices, the life-threatening bleeding in the esophagus and/or the stomach.

encephalopathy, which is deteriorating brain function that may progress to a coma

peptic ulcers, which erode the stomach lining

liver cancer

What are the risks to others?

Some liver diseases are highly contagious and pose a risk to others. For example, different forms of hepatitis are highly contagious through sexual contact or contamination of food and water. Other liver diseases are not contagious, such as biliary atresia.

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