Your liver depends on you to take care of it. In turn, it will take care of you. Your liver is your body's power plant, working constantly as your body's engine, refinery, and warehouse. It is also a silent partner. When it is injured it does not complain until the damage is advanced. You do have some control over your liver disease, and moderate behavior changes can help you live a longer, healthier life.
Don't Drink Alcohol
The most commonly abused drug in the U.S. is alcohol. People with hepatitis C need to reduce or eliminate even small amounts of alcohol from their lives. Alcohol on its own can hurt your liver. Alcohol and hepatitis C are a deadly combination, leading to serious liver disease. Large amounts of alcohol over time cause liver cells to become scarred or die, leading to many liver problems from fatty liver to cirrhosis. Talk to your health care provider about your alcohol use. If you need help, ask for it so that you can take steps toward stopping drinking. There are programs available to help you eliminate alcohol. Even if you can't access them right away, limit the amount of alcohol you drink starting today.
Talk To Your Health Care Provider Before Taking Medications
Because many prescription and over-the-counter drugs may affect the liver, it is important to talk to a health care provider before taking any medication. The same is true for some vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. When you are first diagnosed with hepatitis C, be sure to tell your health care provider about all medications and supplements you are taking.
Get Vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A and B are two other viruses that can affect the liver and cause damage, especially in people who have hepatitis C. But unlike hepatitis C, they can be prevented by vaccine. Talk to your health care provider about being vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Don't Use Illegal Drugs
Using illegal drugs is harmful to your overall health. Drug use affects your body, and can affect the decisions you make after being diagnosed with hepatitis C. Sharing needles or other injection equipment may put you at risk for getting HIV or another type of hepatitis, and may put others at risk for getting hepatitis C. If you decide to seek treatment for your illness, the use of illegal drugs may affect how well the treatment will work.
Eliminating or decreasing illegal drug use is the best action to take. If you need help, ask for it so that you can take steps toward stopping drug use. There are programs available to help you quit using illegal drugs. If you are not ready to stop, be sure to avoid sharing needles, syringes, straws, or any other paraphernalia used for injecting or snorting drugs.
Eat A Healthy Diet
The liver helps to digest food, absorb important nutrients from the foods we eat, and change foods into the energy our bodies need to live. Eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help keep the liver healthy. Generally, people with hepatitis C who do not have advanced liver disease should develop a consistent diet with plenty of nutrients and avoid fad diets. If you have cirrhosis or advanced liver disease, you may need to follow a more specialized diet and work with your health care providers to ensure that you are eating and drinking the foods that best manage your symptoms.
Choosing the proper beverages to drink will also help you keep your liver healthy. Try to drink about 8 glasses of non alcoholic liquids each day. Water is best. Drinking too much juice may cause or aggravate diarrhea; if this happens, drink smaller amounts or try diluting the juice with water. Caffeinated drinks such as cola, coffee, and tea increase urine output and may cause you to become dehydrated.
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