World Liver Day [April 19, 2023]

World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 and raises the important and often ignored topic of maintaining liver health. According to a report by the World Health Organization, 3.17% or roughly 268,580 of total deaths in India are caused by liver diseases. World Liver Day is a great initiative to encourage people to educate themselves about liver health.

Around 2 million people die from liver diseases each year in India. Despite such a fatality rate, there is still very little that people know about liver diseases or their causes. World Liver Day is the perfect time to discuss the causes and effects of liver diseases.

World Liver Day 2023

Every year on April 19, World Liver Day raises awareness about liver-related disorders and diseases. Although liver diseases are quite common in the world, people still know very little about the causes and possible effects of liver diseases. So, World Liver Day is celebrated to make people aware and motivate them to keep their liver health in check.

The theme of World Liver Day is to encourage people to keep their livers healthy and disease-free. We have shared some more details about Liver Day below:

History of World Liver Day

The National Health Portal promotes World Liver Day to help educate people about the benefits of maintaining good liver health. This day was established to address the growing rate of liver disease-related deaths in the country. World Liver Day provides the right time for people and healthcare workers to discuss liver health.

Moreover, maintaining liver health can help people avoid critical liver conditions. Therefore, observing a day like World Liver Day is extremely important.

Importance of World Liver Day

The liver is the body's second-largest organ after the brain; it is also the body's second most complicated organ. It serves several essential activities in the body, including digestion, immunity, metabolism, and nutrient storage. World Liver Day raises awareness about liver functions, diseases, causes, etc.

Functions of the Liver:

The Liver is responsible for several tasks, including the following:

• The organ is known to fight any sickness and infections that might affect the body
• The Liver also controls the blood sugar levels in the body
• The Liver helps you get rid of all the toxins in your body.
• It is also responsible for maintaining cholesterol levels in the body.
• The Liver also aids in the clotting of blood by thickening it.
• The Liver secretes a liquid known as bile juice. The liquid is responsible for breaking down fats and aids in digestion.

World Liver Day - Common Liver Diseases

On World Liver Day, awareness about common liver diseases is spread. Until the disease has progressed to the point where the liver has been destroyed, there are no evident indications or symptoms. Therefore, prioritizing liver health is extremely important. The following are some of the most frequent liver diseases:

• Cirrhosis
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A

World Liver Day - Causes of Liver Diseases

World Liver Day is about spreading awareness about the causes of liver diseases. The following are the topmost causes of liver diseases:

• Liver Cirrhosis - Nearly a third of people with liver cirrhosis are asymptomatic. Cirrhosis of the Liver is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, and it occurs when diseased tissue replaces healthy liver tissue over time due to significant liver damage.
• Hepatitis - It refers to the inflammation of the Liver. Hepatitis is classified into five categories based on the virus that causes it. Ingestion of infected food/water causes Hepatitis A and E, while transmission/exposure to infective bodily fluids, blood, and sperm cause Hepatitis B, C, and D.
• Alcohol Abuse - Overconsumption of alcohol causes most liver illnesses. If you drink too much alcohol and overload your liver, the excess alcohol will circulate in your blood. As a result, our organs, such as the brain and heart, are affected, increasing drunkenness.

Symptoms of Liver Diseases

When the liver starts to fail or has some issue with it, it starts showing certain signs and symptoms, such as the following:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Jaundice

World Liver Day - Liver Cleansing Tips

• Olive oil is beneficial to one's health.
• Garlic, green leafy vegetables, apples, and carrots are all beneficial.
• Green tea and lemon juice are good for the liver
• Grains, such as millet, are preferred.
• Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower should be added.
• Turmeric with food will be beneficial.

How to Celebrate World Liver Day?

On World Liver Day, people can attend various seminars, events, and workshops organized by health organizations to expand their knowledge of liver diseases. Similarly, people can share their own knowledge about the causes and effects of liver diseases with others. Also, people can start an online campaign on World Liver Day with the aim of making more and more people aware.

FAQs on World Liver Day

Q1. When is World Liver Day celebrated?

World Liver Day is celebrated on April 19 every year to raise awareness about the type of liver diseases, their causes, effects and prevention. Every year, around 2 million people die from liver disease in India. So, Liver Day is a great occasion to talk about liver health.

Q2. What is the theme of World Liver Day 2021?

The theme for 2021 was "Hepatitis can't wait". The theme emerged from an urgent need to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat. Hepatitis is a result of liver disease, and on World Liver Day, awareness about this disease is spread.

Q3. Why do we celebrate World Liver Day?

We celebrate World Liver Day to highlight the prevalence of liver diseases, their causes, symptoms, and prevention. Liver diseases are one of the topmost death-causing diseases in India and the world. So, World Liver Day is celebrated to raise awareness about maintaining liver health.

Q4. Is April 19 a special day in India?

Yes, April 19 is observed as World Liver Day. On this day, healthcare workers and organizations spread awareness about maintaining liver health and the causes of liver diseases with the aim of encouraging people to prioritize liver health.