Warned as ‘silent killer’ disease with few symptoms sending thousands to hospital

Health experts have issued a stark warning about a potentially fatal condition that often remains ‘silent’ in its early stages, sending tens of thousands of Brits to hospital every year. According to the data, hospitalizations for liver disease increased by 22 percent in just one year.

Figures from the NHS showed that there were 82,290 admissions for liver disease in England in 2022, compared to 67,458 in 2021. And compared to a decade earlier, there was a rise in admissions for liver disease of as much as 47 percent.

As a result, the British Liver Trust has demanded urgent action to tackle rising rates of liver disease across England. According to the charity, liver disease often remains silent in its early stages and shows “minimal to no symptoms”.

It added that the condition is “almost completely preventable”, with the main risk factors alcohol, obesity and hepatitis B and C accounting for up to 90 percent of cases.

Three-quarters of people with this condition are diagnosed with cirrhosis, the most serious form of liver disease, and it is often too late for effective intervention or treatment.

Vanessa Hebditch, policy director at the British Liver Trust, said: “These figures once again show how action is needed. The British Liver Trust is calling for a rapid and comprehensive review of adult liver services to tackle the huge variation and inequalities in liver disease. treatment results and care.

“The rise in hospital admissions highlights the urgent need for immediate action to tackle the growing burden of liver disease on the NHS and society as a whole.”

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The trust is calling on the government to “prioritize investment in the prevention and early diagnosis of liver disease”. Ms Hebditch added: “Tackling the root causes of liver disease, such as alcohol abuse and obesity, should be at the top of the Government’s agenda.

“By allocating resources to education, raising awareness and promoting healthier lifestyles, we can collectively work to reduce the burden of liver disease and improve the well-being of individuals across the country.”

Symptoms

The NHS warns that most types of liver disease “do not cause symptoms in the early stages”. The health agency says: “Once you start to have symptoms of liver disease, your liver is already damaged and scarred. This is known as cirrhosis.”

Symptoms of cirrhosis include:

• Feeling very tired and weak all the time
• Loss of appetite – which can lead to weight loss
• Loss of sex drive (libido)
• Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Itchy skin
• Feeling or being sick.

If you experience symptoms of cirrhosis, contact your doctor.

Prevention

The three main causes of liver disease are:

• Obesity
• An undiagnosed hepatitis infection
• Alcohol abuse.

You can reduce your risk of many types of liver disease with some simple lifestyle changes, such as:

• Trying to maintain a healthy weight
• Don’t drink too much alcohol.
• Vaccines are available against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. These are recommended if you are at risk.