How Can I Improve My Liver Health?

Your liver plays a key role in the digestive process, producing bile that turns fat into energy along with proteins that help to carry waste from the body. This organ helps control your blood sugar, releasing glucose when it’s needed and removing it when it’s in excess. It also works to destroy bacterial and viral infections, making it an important part of your body’s immune response as well.

The liver can be impacted by several different conditions. Among the most common are:

• Hepatitis A, B, and C
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Fatty liver disease
• Liver cancer

Symptoms of poor liver health include jaundice of the skin or eyes, swelling in the abdomen and lower extremities, bruising easily, and changes in the color of stools or urine. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to contact our office and schedule an endoscopic liver biopsy.

Endoscopic Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy is used to diagnose various conditions of the liver. This is traditionally done through a large incision, but with the use of an endoscope, the incision can be significantly smaller.

At GPDDC, we use ultrasound to guide the endoscope, helping to minimize trauma to surrounding organs and tissue. The procedure takes only a few short minutes and most people are able to resume normal activities within just one to two days. The results of your endoscopic liver biopsy will assist us in creating the most effective treatment plan for your needs.

Steps You Can Take Now

If an issue is detected, we will customize a treatment plan that addresses your specific concerns. You can assist with this plan –even in cases where intervention isn’t yet needed – by taking steps to improve you liver health now. These include:

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid illicit drugs
• Do not use tobacco products
• Significantly reduce alcohol consumption
• Practice safe sex

Live clean. Pesticides, additives, and other chemicals can compound in the body, placing undue stress on the liver. Making smart choices every day will have a direct impact on the current and future health of your entire body.

If you have questions about liver health or suspect you may need a biopsy, please call 212-979-3237 to schedule a consultation at Gramercy Park Digestive Disease Center today.