Experts told us how to maintain the health of this important organ in adults and children.
“The liver does not hurt” is one of the main reasons why people do not consult a doctor on time, as a result of which more than two million people in the world die from liver diseases every year.
For example, early treatment of hepatitis C, one of the leading causes of serious liver dysfunction in children, can extend life expectancy by several years, according to a new study.
The liver is a vital organ that performs more than 500 functions, including processing nutrients, filtering toxins, producing bile to digest fats, and storing and releasing glucose, which supplies the body with energy.
The liver does not have nerve endings, so it often “does not signal problems” until the development of life-threatening conditions – cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (cancer).
The main causes of adverse outcomes, according to the European Association for the Study of Liver Diseases: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which affects more than a quarter of the world’s population, liver cancer (more than 905,677 cases per year) and chronic viral hepatitis, the mortality rate of which exceeds that of HIV/AIDS .
Scientists around the world pay great attention to the study of methods for treating liver diseases, which make a significant contribution to the mortality structure.
Modern treatment methods have given us the opportunity to completely defeat hepatitis C, one of the main causes of liver morbidity and mortality. This disease is not only curable today, but is also one of the healthcare priorities in Russia. Thanks to the steps that were implemented in previous years and the allocation of additional budgetary funds, starting in 2024, the number of patients who can be cured of hepatitis C in Russia can reach 100 thousand people annually. This is a huge contribution to the fight against deaths caused by liver disease.”
Hepatitis C is a common chronic infectious disease that can be completely cured. The hepatitis C virus is most often transmitted through blood. You can get infected in dentistry, manicure, pedicure, tattooing, cosmetic tattooing and piercing.
Until the 90s, infection often occurred in medical settings (during blood transfusions, operations), since tests for hepatitis C did not yet exist. The virus can be transmitted through the use of psychoactive substances, rarely through unprotected sex.
In 7-8% of cases, hepatitis C is transmitted from mother to newborn.
— The disease leaves a serious imprint on physical and mental development, preventing the child from developing normally on a par with his peers. Often, parents are forced to hide the diagnosis in order to avoid stigmatization, bullying and restrictions associated, for example, with enrollment in sports clubs.
Therefore, it is important for parents, especially if there are risk factors, to test their child for hepatitis C in a timely manner and, if necessary, begin treatment as soon as possible. Today in Russia, absolutely all children can receive treatment for hepatitis C through the Circle of Good Foundation. You can apply for therapy through a doctor or your personal account on the State Services portal, — said Vera Greshnyakova, Ph.D., head of the research department of viral hepatitis and liver diseases of the Children’s Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia.
According to a study published in March 2024 that modeled the health and life expectancy of children infected with hepatitis C virus at birth, curing hepatitis C at age 3 years requires the least amount of future health care costs and increases life expectancy. Thus, the predicted life expectancy was the highest when treatment was prescribed at the age of 3 years and decreased when treatment was delayed to 6 years, to 12 years.
— In the Arkhangelsk region in 2023, 8 children were cured of hepatitis C. Now two more children are waiting to receive medications from the Circle of Good Foundation. Treatment of hepatitis C in children is carried out on the basis of the outpatient consultation department of the Center for Infectious Diseases of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution JSC AOKB. To contact the Center’s specialists, you need to make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist by calling 8 (8182) 636 300. You must bring all laboratory test results to your appointment. After examination and additional examinations, a decision will be made on the need for antiviral therapy, a treatment regimen will be recommended and a list of documents requested by the Circle of Good will be indicated.,” said Irina Shchepina, deputy chief physician for work with infectious diseases at the Arkhangelsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Ph.D., doctor of the highest category.
