Health experts have released a warning to watch out for the signs of a silent killer disease that 1 in 10 Brits suffer from. Liver damage, a result of obesity and heavy drinking, leads to higher death rates from liver diseases and cancers.
The British Liver Trust, after scanning 2,000 people on high streets across the UK, found that a tenth showed signs of liver damage, such as stiffness or scarring.
Liver disease sneaks up with no noticeable symptoms, until permanent damage happens.
Symptoms of liver damage can include fatigue, itchy skin, decreased libido, feeling unwell, reduced appetite, weight loss, and jaundice.
If you’re obese, drink alcohol excessively, smoke or are diagnosed with hepatitis, you’re at a higher risk.
Sadly, last year, more than 80,000 English hospital admissions were associated with liver disease, causing death to 10,501 people under 75.
In the past two decades, deaths have skyrocketed from around 6,000.
Liver cancer cases are growing too, with an estimated jump from 5,800 deaths in 2019 to 9,500 by 2040.
Charity chief Pamela Healy expressed her shock to The Sun, saying: “These figures are shocking because our roadshow was not specifically targeting people at risk.
“It offers a free scan to anyone who happens to be in town. Therefore liver disease is likely to affect far more people than previously thought.”
She added that GPs should test people more frequently because many do not understand they are damaging their health.
The Liver Trust says 90 percent of disease cases can be prevented by staying a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol and treating and preventing hepatitis.
Ms Healy added: “Every GP should be finding and testing people who are at risk those who are overweight and with type 2 diabetes or people who regularly drink too much alcohol.”
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