Always be sleepy, be careful, take care of your liver!

The most common symptom experienced by people with liver disease is fatigue.

Of course, the slight fatigue of many liver disease patients is ignored. Most people think that they are tired, but they do not think of the influence of liver disease.

It is worth noting that rest cannot relieve liver fatigue when it is severe. And as the disease gets worse, the fatigue gets worse. I often see some patients with liver failure who are shy and lazy, and do not want to open their eyes.

How does Western medicine explain fatigue in patients with liver disease?

1. From the perspective of Western medicine, the liver is the place where glycogen is synthesized and stored. After liver disease, the ability of hepatocytes to synthesize and store sugar decreases, which cannot generate enough energy to maintain When the human body needs it, you will feel exhausted.

2. Due to the small amount of food intake, the digestion and absorption function is hindered, the intake of nutrients is reduced, and the metabolism is hyperactive, and the systemic consumption increases. At the same time, the function of liver cells is reduced during liver disease. The required substances cannot be well metabolized and absorbed, the ability to manufacture and store sugar is reduced, resulting in insufficient energy, making the patient feel powerless, and further aggravating the loss of appetite.

3. When jaundice occurs in hepatitis patients, bile salts in the blood will increase, so that the concentration of a substance called “cholinesterase” in the body will decrease, causing the body’s nerves to— Muscle binding function is disordered, and this physiological function disorder is often the cause of fatigue in the human body.

4. Due to the dysfunction of fat metabolism in patients with liver disease, some fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin E, etc.) cannot be well absorbed and utilized , When the human body lacks vitamin E, it is very easy to feel fatigued.

5. As the condition of acute hepatitis patients improves, the phenomenon of fatigue will gradually improve. For patients with a longer course of disease, their feeling of fatigue is not only due to the liver itself. , and may also feel weak due to long-term bed rest and lack of movement, and some patients are depressed for a long time, worry, and have a very poor mental state, which is also the cause of obvious fatigue.

How to treat fatigue in patients with chronic liver disease?

Fatigue is a common symptom of patients with chronic liver disease, which affects the quality of life of patients. This kind of fatigue can not be improved by taking a lot of rest and needs to receive systematic treatment.

1. Treatment of primary liver diseases.

Such as antiviral therapy for viral hepatitis.

For obese patients who need to lose weight, alcoholic liver patients need to quit drinking, etc.

Avoid headaches.

2. Treatment of secondary diseases

Treat secondary conditions such as anemia, sleep disturbances, thyroid dysfunction and depression. If properly monitored by a doctor, these factors do not further exacerbate fatigue.

3. Symptomatic and supportive treatment

Interventions targeting factors that affect or exacerbate fatigue are an important part of fatigue management in patients with chronic liver disease.

The following conditions can exacerbate fatigue and require aggressive treatment:

pruritus, autoimmune conditions (dysthyroidism, celiac disease, and anemia), other comorbidities (diabetes, heart failure, and kidney failure);

Actively improve conditions including sleep disturbances, depression, and autonomic dysfunction.

4. Traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a very effective way to improve fatigue treatment. Such as acupuncture and massage, can help reduce the symptoms of fatigue.

What can people with liver disease do to reduce fatigue?

1. Balanced diet

Eat a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Avoid foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.

2. Drink enough water.

Appropriately increase Yin water. Be careful to avoid caffeinated beverages, such as tea and coffee, as they can deplete needed fluids.

3. Appropriate exercise

Try different types of exercise, such as walking, cycling, dancing, gardening, swimming, tai chi or yoga.

4. Positive attitude

A positive attitude can minimize symptoms of fatigue and make it easier to cope with the chores and difficulties of everyday life.