Digestive Health May Be More than Preventing Your "Stomach" Problem

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Could that lack of appetite, weight loss and nausea be more than a "stomach" problem? It's possible these symptoms may stem from a pancreatic or liver disorder, for example, rather than a stomach or intestinal problem. Some liver problems may be serious because chronic liver disease can lead to cirrhosis, a permanent condition in which scar tissue forms in the liver and keeps it from functioning normally.

Most often, cirrhosis is the byproduct of chronic liver inflammation caused by chronic alcohol abuse or chronic hepatitis (often due to hepatitis B or C virus). There is no cure for cirrhosis, and the damage is irreversible. However, the disease often progresses slowly and, according to Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health, you can take steps do to reduce further liver damage:

Stop using alcohol. Alcohol breaks down into several chemicals that are toxic to your liver.

Limit medications. A damaged liver is unable to detoxify and eliminate medications normally from your system. Don't combine acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or any other pain relievers with alcohol.

Avoid getting sick. Do everything that's reasonable to avoid getting sick. Get vaccinated to prevent hepatitis (A and B vaccines available), flu and pneumonia.

Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. But don't take any supplemental vitamins or other drugs without your doctor's recommendation.

Booklet Offer

Mayo Clinic is offering a free booklet titled Your Guide to Vitamins & Supplements. To receive your copy, write to Vitamins Booklet, Division of Communications, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Or, receive the booklet free when you order Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health ($16.95 plus shipping, handling and applicable sales tax) by calling 800-291-1128 and mentioning order code 177.

Revenue from the sale of Mayo Clinic books is used to help support Mayo Clinic programs, including medical education and research.

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