1. Drink alcohol in moderation - especially if you are a woman. While alcoholism is more common among men, it has been demonstrated that women are more susceptible to the adverse consequences of alcohol on the liver. In fact, it takes as little as 20 grams of daily alcohol ingestion (approximately 1 and a half cans of beer per day) for women to develop significant liver problems.
2. Maintain normal weight. It is estimated that approximately one-third of Americans are obese, and that approximately 75 percent of obese people have a fatty liver - a liver disease that may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
3. Avoid cigarette smoking. Smoking should be terminated, as it has been linked to the development of liver cancer and may enhance the toxic effects of some medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) on the liver.
4. Avoid sushi or raw or partially cooked mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops), as these fish often live in hepatitis A contaminated rivers and seas. Or, even better- consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine.
5. Practice safe sex. Protect yourself from hepatitis B and C. Not engaging in unprotected sex will greatly reduce the likelihood of infection with hepatitis B. While the risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C is rare, protected sex is recommended if a person engages in anal sex, has multiple sexual partners, has frequent prostate infections, has open cuts or sores on the genitalia, or is menstruating.
6. Avoid recreational drug use. Intravenous drug use is a common mode of hepatitis B and C transmission. If you currently use Intravenous drugs do not share needles – take advantage of a needle exchange program. Marijuana smoking has been shown to increase the risk of liver scarring in those who have hepatitis C.
7. if you have ever experimented with intravenous drugs, even just once, and even if it was many years ago, or if you have had a blood, blood product transfusion or organ transplant prior to 1992 -- get tested for hepatitis C. And, if you already have hepatitis C - consider getting treated - it can be cured if caught in time!
8. If you have ever been told that something is wrong with your liver, if even you feel fine - see a liver specialist (hepatologist). Signs and symptoms of liver disease and hepatitis are not always present - sometimes even when the liver has suffered severe damage.
9. Do not share toothbrushes, razors or other personal items with anyone. These may be routes of transmission of hepatitis B or C.
10. Anyone who intends to get a tattoo or have a body part pierced should make sure that they deal only with establishments that are clean and that adhere to meticulous sterilization practices.
