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BeGH, DOH warns Cordi public on liver diseases

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Sept. 27) — Health officials here advised the public to pay attention to their diets and lifestyles in the wake of the emergence of liver diseases at the top ten causes of mortality in the region, noting the local Cordillera lifestyle when people observe rituals with the sacrificial pigs or chicken.

Dr. Ponciano Aberrin, medical office VII of the Department of Health in the Cordillera (DOH-CAR) said liver cancer is in the 3rd to 5th leading cause of death in the country today, next only to breast cancer, among women and lung cancer, among men. He said, though that statistics is still being developed on the causes of death and illness in the country. Aberrin is in charge of DOH-CAR’s degenerative diseases program, which include cancer.

Aberrin notes that in many instances, fatty foods are usually washed down the throat with alcoholic beverages. “This will overwhelm liver tissues,” he said. Aberrin noted that even in ordinary drinking sprees, gin goes with chicharon or pinikpikan, a common fare in the region’s villages.

Among the liver diseases, Aberrin mentions Hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis, among the more serious liver conditions.

In the Cordillera, the Benguet General Hospital noted that liver cirrhosis is the 6th leading cause of death. It is not in the top ten causes of ailment, however.

Aberrin and Dr. Ma. Elizabeth Espiritu, gastroenterologist of the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) here were in the Kapihan sa Benguet on Sept. 27, which focused on the liver awareness month.

Transmission of liver diseases

Like cirrhosis, the medical doctors said, other viral diseases such as hepatitis, may be aggravated by the excessive intake of alcohol. People with history of Hepatitis B and C, aside from liver cirrhosis may develop liver cancer in the future.

Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through the feces of an infected person and is ingested through the mouth. The other types, B, C, D are transmitted through exchange of body fluids such as blood transfusion, sexual contact and sharing of personal items as toothbrushes, needles, nail-clippers among others. It is important that people maintain good hygiene, Espiritu warns.

An infected mother may transmit the hepatitis B and C virus to her newborn.

The liver screens toxic substances that enter the body and synthesizes all chemicals before the body uses them. It breaks toxins and produces enzymes that turn potentially harmful chemicals into less toxic forms. It is also responsible in the maintenance of blood sugar level in the body and stores excess sugar in the form of glycogen for the body’s future use.

“It is so important that when liver cirrhosis is diagnosed, it is equivalent to a death sentence,” Espiritu warns. She said there are a few hospitals performing liver transplants, but there has been only one such case in the Philippines. “Unfortunately, the patient eventually died,” Espiritu said, adding that the operation would cost around P2 to P5 million.

Prescriptions for a healthier liver

Doctors recommend a periodic blood test to detect liver diseases because, they said, these are silent diseases that when symptoms show, usually the infection has spread to other vital organs. They also advise people to avoid fatty diet, and a zero-alcohol intake.

“Alcohol definitely harms the liver,” Espiritu said. Reports reveal that once liver tissues die, these will show as a scar in the liver, but there are some food supplements in the market that may help revitalize damaged tissues. Espiritu also underscored the value of infant immunization against hepatitis and the screening of pregnant women.

Aberrin said though that the vaccines are expensive that the government could not afford to give it free to all.

“Priority is given to the poorest of the poor,” he said, adding that in the Cordillera, the remotest places are in the priority list because of their vulnerability to infection. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS

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