Liver disease is more common than you might think.
It’s time to Show Your Liver Some Love.
World Liver Day
World Liver Day is celebrated every year on April 19th to raise awareness about the importance of liver health. Your liver is an essential organ that performs over 500 functions, including processing nutrients, filtering toxins, and producing bile to help digest fats. It’s also responsible for storing and releasing glucose, which provides your body with energy.
Taking care of your liver is crucial to maintaining overall health and preventing liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Simple steps like eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying physically active can help keep your liver in top shape.
This World Liver Day, take some time to appreciate and care for your liver. Make healthy lifestyle choices and get regular check-ups with your doctor. Spread awareness about the importance of liver health and encourage your loved ones to do the same. By loving your liver, you can protect your overall health and well-being for years to come.
What is liver disease?
Liver disease is a surprisingly common condition in Australia that can affect and damage the liver. In fact, 1 in 3 Australian adults are living with some type of liver disease.
There are very few symptoms in the early stages of liver disease. Untreated liver disease can lead to permanent liver damage such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, when limited treatment options are available.
Common causes of liver disease include:
- Viruses such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- An unhealthy diet
- Being overweight
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Genetics
- Autoimmune diseases
The good news is, if detected early enough, many types of liver disease can be prevented or even reversed.
Find out more about liver disease
How to look after your liver
Preventing liver disease is possible with simple lifestyle changes.
Eating a balanced diet
Exercising regularly
Using alcohol responsibly
Asking your GP for a liver check
Liver health and hepatitis
There are five main hepatitis viruses that can damage your liver: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. The two most common types are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Both can cause similar symptoms and if untreated can lead to more serious liver health problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The good news is there is a cure for hepatitis C and a vaccine for hepatitis B. While there is no cure for hepatitis B yet, there is treatment available to help manage the virus
Resources
Share or display these resources to help raise awareness of World Liver Day
Donate now to our treatment fund
The Hepatitis Treatment Fund provides emergency funding for Queenslanders needing hepatitis treatment and related services, including testing and monitoring costs. The Fund is supported entirely by donations made to Hepatitis Queensland.
Funding is available to those living with viral hepatitis in Queensland who are unable to pay for their costs of care. Recipients must also be eligible for Medicare. Call 1800 437 222 to make an application on behalf of a client or yourself.
