Although vaccinations are currently available for seasonal flu and swine flu, many people are still getting sick. So, liver support.com provided six natural approaches to fight the flu, which is especially helpful for those with compromised liver health (who are more susceptible from having health complications related to the flu).
For those with liver disease, deciding how to best manage the flu can be especially challenging. Unfortunately, those with liver disease may not fare as well taking traditional cold and flu medicines. This is because some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines contain acetaminophen, which can put an additional toxin load on an already compromised liver. In addition, many people prefer to use natural solutions instead of dealing with the side effects inherent to most drugs.
Since having a chronic underlying illness like liver disease increases complications from the swine flu, getting rid of this particular virus safely and swiftly is vital. There are several things someone with liver disease can do to recover, and these natural approaches can safely help many people manage the flu:
- Gargle – Gargling with salt water is a good way to ease throat pain and inflammation as well as reduce the quantity of viral particles in your throat.
- Steam – Breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water or in a hot shower helps keep mucous membranes moist and break up congestion. Adding one drop of eucalyptus essential oil will add another dimension to clearing the sinuses.
- Rest – When battling the flu, your body needs plenty of rest. The immune system functions much better with at least eight hours of sleep each night. When sick with the flu, the body’s daily demand for sleep is usually greater than eight hours.
- Herbal Formulas – herbal formulas help support the immune system while simultaneously fighting viruses. Herbs help to reduce the duration of the flu and prevent complications from arising.
- Zinc – Zinc is an excellent home remedy for the flu. This mineral increases the production of disease-fighting white blood cells and also helps these cells release more antibodies.
- Flu Buster Tea – This concoction can easily be prepared in your kitchen. Simmer 4 – 6 pieces of fresh ginger and 2 whole garlic cloves in water for about 10 minutes. Then pour the ginger/garlic hot water over a peppermint tea bag. Add honey and lemon to taste. This home brew helps ease fevers, coughs, body aches, congestion and a sore throat.
For those whose liver is unable to process some medications, the six suggestions above can really help in managing the flu. It can also help anyone seeking natural solutions for fighting H1N1 or seasonal flu.
Filed under Health Tips by on Jan 20th, 2010. Comment. 
Sleep apnea has long been thought to adversely affect many of the body’s functions, including the cardiovascular system, high blood pressure, diabetes, and most notably, lack of a restful sleep. The condition affects approximately 33 percent of the population, and prevents oxygen from reaching the bloodstream due to an obstruction to the airway because of relaxing muscles during sleep. In essence, the individual stops breathing for a few seconds, and this happens a number of times during sleep. It is this lack of oxygen that causes long term health problems for people. Now, new research from Switzerland seems to indicate that sleep apnea also contributes to liver disease.
Most people who suffer with liver disease have a non-alcoholic form and also have few easily detectable symptoms. In order to diagnose the disease, an ultrasound and biopsy need to be performed, and treatment should begin immediately – before it is too late (and the damage cannot be reversed)! The ultrasound and biopsy would detect fatty deposits on the liver, as well as inflammation, which are hallmarks of the disease.
The new research regarding a possible link between apnea and the liver function focused on mice that were kept in a lower oxygen environment for a number of days. The researchers found that after seven days, the mice showed evidence of fatty deposits and inflammation on their livers. The mice that were maintained in a normal oxygen environment did not show these effects. Additionally, the researchers looked at the genes of the mice, discovering that the genes responsible for fat synthesis were very active. On the other hand, the genes responsible for fat breakdown were more inactive. Finally, they found that the mice from the low oxygen group were less sensitive to insulin than the “normal” group.
The research team concluded that the depletion of oxygen could be the reason that the fat accumulates on the liver, leading to non-alcoholic liver disease. This finding further encourages individuals to get screened for sleep apnea, so as to possibly prevent the development of liver disease. Further, for those who already have the disease, it is just as important to discover if they also have sleep apnea. Treating the apnea may help to prevent from their liver disease worsening. It is still not clear from this study, however, whether the apnea is the actual link or whether being obese is a more likely indicator of the disease. Additional research will be necessary, but one thing is clear: Getting evaluated for sleep apnea may help to thwart liver disease, as well as prevent it from becoming more dangerous.
Filed under Liver Disease - research by on Jan 2nd, 2010. Comment.
A recent study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that a particular protein in the body, TAK1, may prevent certain liver damage and disease, including inflammation, cancer, and fibrosis. Understanding this protein and how it operates may better equip medical professionals and scientists to diagnose the disease and possibly find a cure. TAK1 is a type of protein that is responsible for regulating cell activities, including cell growth. The researchers knew that TAK1 activates one protein that promoted liver health and protected against liver disease and cancer. It produces another protein that promotes cell growth and cancer, therefore, the researchers wanted to determine whether TAK1 was responsible for promoting or protecting liver disease and cancer.
To determine the influence of TAK1, the researchers developed a mouse model that lacked the TAK1 protein. They discovered an increased rate of liver cell death in the models lacking the protein. The livers overcompensated for the lack of TAK1, producing too many liver cells, causing inflammation, liver damage, fibrosis, and liver cancer. The researchers hope to find out if TAK1 plays a role in cancer and disease in other organs as well. According to the team, they want to determine whether a particular drug or therapy affects fibrosis, disease, and cancer in the liver. The research regarding TAK1 may open doors to new therapy for those suffering from liver disease and cancer. New treatment options may become available if more tests regarding this protein are conducted.
Filed under Liver Disease - research by on Dec 27th, 2009. Comment.
For a number of centuries, people have used milk thistle to treat liver problems, while the actual impact was largely undocumented. Individuals suffering from liver disease or cancer often turn to natural remedies when the more traditional medical treatment does not seem to work. Or, they may wish to supplement such treatment. Although herbs and supplements have been used since the beginning of time to treat sickness and disease, concrete evidence regarding its impact has been absent.
A new study, published in the Journal Cancer, however, provides such sought after documentation. The research found that milk thistle helped to reduce liver inflammation in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Such inflammation is also seen in those suffering from liver diseases and liver cancer itself. It appears to afford some type of liver protection that may allow cancer patients to continue with their chemotherapy due to the reduced inflammation rates. This natural remedy may be part of the entire treatment offerings for those suffering with liver problems. Before using any alternative supplement, however, it is always best to read about any possible side effects and discuss the options with your doctor.
Filed under Liver Disease - research by on Dec 21st, 2009. Comment.
In order to diagnose whether a patient suffers from liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, an invasive biopsy, with less than reliable results, is conducted. This usually consists of an evaluation, blood work, ultrasound, and the actual biopsy. There is new technology out of France, however, that may change all of that. The FibroScan allows physicians to evaluate the level of fibrotic tissue without invasive procedures.
This liver fibrosis is when extra proteins or collagen is deposited in the tissue and liver, resulting in hypertension, liver cancer, or even liver failure. This fibrosis does not always result in recognizable symptoms until the disease has advances itself into cirrhosis. This delays a proper diagnosis and treatment for the patient. Further complicating the problem is that even when a biopsy is conducted in a timely manner, the needle needs to be positioned right where the infected tissue is in order to obtain an accurate result.
The revolutionary technology used in the FibroScan, however, only requires that the patient lie down while the probe, similar to an ultrasound, emits waves into ten different areas in and around the liver. The waves can then indicate whether liver fibrosis is present. The scan allows for a pain-free diagnostic method with great accuracy. It is recommended that patients use this screen annually for early detection of liver fibrosis. An early diagnosis can help a patient get the treatment he/she needs and the medical work that is needed to pursue any social security disability claims.
Filed under Liver Disease - medical developments by on Dec 16th, 2009. Comment.
Green tea has long been known for its great and varied health properties, and now protecting the liver may be added to the list. Studies, conducted on rats, indicated that the consumption of green tea prevented the build up of liver fibrosis, which is when collagen and other proteins build up in the liver. This build-up could lead to life threatening problems, such as cirrhosis or even liver failure. It is further problematic because it does not cause any symptoms and the inflammation can continue unknown to the individual. The use of green tea, in additional to more traditional treatment, may help to prevent liver fibrosis. As with any alternative treatment method, however, it is important to seek the advice of a physician before taking foods or herbs to decrease your disease risk.
If you are disabled from liver disease and are pursuing a Social Security Disability claim, you may want to consider these study results. Perhaps you can alter your diet to include more green tea. If you end up having a social security disability hearing in your liver disability case, you may have the opportunity to tell your Judge the steps you have taken to improve your condition. Social Security Judges are fond of claimants who take proactive steps to improve their disability. In this case, a dietary change might be viewed as a positive step in the right direction in the eyes of a Social Security Judge.
But more importantly, your health should be your main concern. On this liver disability blog, I like to point out research and studies from time to time in hopes my clients can benefit from the research to some degree.
Filed under Liver Disease - research by on Dec 11th, 2009. Comment.
A recent study shows that drinking coffee can slow the progression of liver disease. The study focused on patients with Hepatitis C-related bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis. Those patients who did not respond to standard treatments seemed to benefit from increased coffee intake. Interestingly, this beneficial effect in slowing the progression of liver disease was not observed in patients who drink black or green tea, thus indicating that the benefits were not necessarily the result of mere caffeine ingestion.
The study participants were asked to report their normal coffee ingestion frequency. They were given nine different frequency categories ranging from “never” to “every day.” They were also given four categories of portion sizes ranging from 1 cup, 2 cups, 3-4 cups, to 5+ cups a day. Similar questions were posed to black and green tea drinkers. Study participants were seen once every three months during the duration of the study, which lasted 3.8 years. Liver biopsies were taken at the 1.5 year mark and the 3.5 year mark to examine the progression of liver disease.
At the end of the study, results showed that study participants who drank three or more cups of coffee per day demonstrated a slowed progression of liver disease. Study authors cautioned at the release of the results, however, that they cannot necessarily be applied to healthier populations. The study is an important first step in understanding the factors contributing to the progression of liver disease. For example, the study authors do not know for sure the effect that other factors that go along with drinking coffee might have had on the study results.
If you are suffering from liver disease or specifically Hepatitis C, you should discuss this study with your doctor. Perhaps incorporating a cup of coffee into your routine, with moderation, may slow the further progression of liver disease.
Filed under Liver Disease - medical developments by on Nov 17th, 2009. Comment.
Getting a favorable decision on a Social Security Disability Insurance claim arising from liver diseases such as Hepatitis C can be especially challenging when the symptom causing disability is fatigue. While fatigue is the most common Hepatitis C symptom, most people with the disease are able to continue working. Level of fatigue is not related to an objective measure such as severity of liver disease or viral levels.
When Social Security looks at your claim, they will examine your medical 
records for information on your symptoms and any functional limitations. Unless you report all of your symptoms to your doctor, and make sure that his or her notes include both your reported symptoms and their impact on your functional limitations, your file will not fully and accurately present the evidence necessary for a successful outcome.
Hepatitis C can have a variety of impacts on your ability to work. You will want to make sure that you tell your doctor if you:
- Are able to perform various activities, but are so exhausted afterwards that you require a period of rest; and/or
- Become so fatigued at a particular time of the day that you have to lie down and go to sleep; and
- The exhaustion you experience limits your ability to go to work or adequately fulfill your daily responsibilities; and
- Your medication causes you to experience side effects that limit your ability to function at work.
I generally caution my clients that just because they have told their doctor about their symptoms and limitations at one visit doesn’t mean that their doctor will understand or note in their medical records that the limitations are continuing. Let your physician(s) know about your symptoms for as long as you experience them. You don’t want to have any conflict between what you tell Social Security and your medical records.
Filed under The Importance of Medical Records by on Nov 12th, 2009. Comment.
Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 3 in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. People might find themselves disabled for many reasons, including becoming disabled due to liver disease.
If you find yourself disabled due to liver disease, then you can look into filing for Social Security benefits through the Social Security Disability insurance program, which is covered by Social Security taxes. If you qualify, you can receive a monthly disability benefit from Social Security for as long as your liver disability keeps you from working. Oftentimes, your condition might not improve, leaving you out of work, and you will be able to receive a substantial amount of disability payments to offset your lack of funds based on being out of work.
The amount of your benefit is based on your average lifetime earnings. So if you have worked many years, then you will likely be eligible for more benefits. In order to recieve Medicare coverage, one usually has to receive cash benefits for 24 months.
If you have liver disease and that makes you unable to work, you should start your Social Security Disability application immediately. It’s important to start right away because it can take time to determine whether you qualify for benefits. The usual time frame is about three to five months for a medical decision from the state agency that evaluates your condition. If you are denied in the early stages of you liver disability claim, the whole process can take up to three years. However, if you are able to win your claim, you will be happy you were patient; getting on disability might be just what you need to get your life back on track.
Filed under Filing for Disability by on Oct 15th, 2009. Comment.
It turns out that people with liver disease are at greater risk of having a severe case of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.
So if you have liver disease and experience a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms, immediately contact your doctor. An anti-viral medication can be dispensed to you. If you do think you may have swine flu, you should be particularly cautious to prevent sickness by washing your hands regularly and remaining a comfortable distance from others while communicating to prevent the spread of the flu.
If you are pursuing a disability claim based on liver disease, I’m sure the last thing you need to deal with is something like the swine flu! I have not yet heard any horror stories about claimants missing their Social Security hearing due coming down with swine flu…let’s just hope if that happens the Judge will have a little sympathy – and maybe even grant a favorable decision without you having to reschedule a hearing!
Filed under Liver Disease - medical developments by on Aug 31st, 2009. Comment.