October is National Liver Awareness Month

Elderly Care in McLean VA

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, but many people do not know that much about it and what it does.  National Liver Awareness Month was created to raise awareness about the importance of liver health for adults of all ages.  Did you know that about 30 million people in the United States have some form of liver disease?  Another goal of National Liver Awareness Month is to help people become aware of the ways they can work toward preventing liver disease and how they can identify the signs of it.  Read on for some tips that can help you to help your loved one care for their liver and prevent liver disease.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight is an important way to prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease caused by a fatty liver.  A diet that is healthy for the liver includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, meat that is lean, low-fat dairy foods, and healthy fats that come from plant sources and fish.  Drinking plenty of water and eating a diet rich in fiber is also a great way to maintain great liver health.

Regular Exercise

Exercising regularly can help improve liver health and reduce fat in the liver.  Encourage your doctor to begin an exercise routine after they have gotten the approval from a doctor.  Great forms of exercise for seniors include walking, water aerobics, tai chi, cycling, and strength training.

Use Alcohol in Moderation

Alcohol can do a lot of damage to the liver.  For this reason, it is best used in moderation or not at all.  Drinking alcohol can cause many health issues in addition to liver disease and it can even interact in a negative way with many medications.  Encourage your loved one to discuss alcohol intake with their doctor to find out what is appropriate for them and their level of health.

Hepatitis Vaccination and Prevention

Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver.  There are vaccines available for both hepatitis B and C and seniors should ask their doctor if they are up to date on these vaccines or if they need to receive them.  Hepatitis B and C are viruses that are passed through the blood so your loved one (and you) should avoid touching anyone else’s blood and sharing personal items such as razors or nail clippers.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in McLean, VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818

Source:  http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/liverlowdown/ll1013/lam/

• Author
• Recent Posts

Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

Latest posts by Michelle DeFilippis (see all)

• Do Your Parents Face More Challenges When They Live in a Rural Community? - November 6, 2019
• Ways to Ease Arthritis Symptoms in the Elderly - October 24, 2019
• Tips for a Better Life with Fibromyalgia - October 9, 2019