Every year, World Hepatitis Day (July 28) comes to highlight the vital organ that works silently and plays a pivotal role in maintaining human health and quality of life. The liver is not just an organ, but an integrated system involved in hundreds of daily vital processes, from purifying the blood and regulating sugar and lipid levels, to synthesizing proteins and clotting factors and producing bile essential for digestion.
Despite their significant importance, liver diseases remain among the most likely to develop silently and without obvious symptoms in their early stages. Many patients only discover a liver problem during routine checkups or after advanced complications arise. This underscores the importance of awareness, as early detection can be the difference between prevention and delayed treatment.
Community awareness plays a pivotal role in reducing the spread of liver diseases . The higher the level of awareness regarding risk factors and the importance of early detection, the greater the chances of prevention and successful treatment, says Dr. Al-Balas. Furthermore, educating families about healthy nutrition, physical activity, and the importance of vaccinations positively impacts the health of the entire community.
Doctors emphasize that liver diseases are not limited to a specific age group, as they can affect children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. However, modern lifestyles have significantly contributed to increased incidence rates, especially with the rise in obesity and lack of physical activity. Therefore, adopting healthy habits from a young age is a long-term investment in liver health, according to Al-Balas.
Prevention also includes regular checkups for those with risk factors, and not ignoring elevated liver enzymes even in the absence of symptoms, as early intervention prevents many cases from progressing to advanced stages. A doctor should also be consulted if fatigue persists, or if symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes, changes in urine color, or unexplained weight loss occur.
It is also important to stay away from unreliable medical information, which is widely spread through social media, and not to take herbs or supplements with the aim of “cleansing the liver”; as there is no magic formula for that, while studies have proven that the best protection for the liver is a healthy lifestyle and regular medical follow-up, confirms Dr. Hakam Al-Balas.
