Northamptonshire Links

Mortality from chronic liver disease   

What is NASH                                      

 

General Questions

 

Q. How can the Support Group Help?

  • We offer free and confidential advice and understanding.

  • We provide a listening ear, whether you need one phone call or long term support.
  • We can phone back, write to you or, if you prefer arrange someone to meet you.
  • We provide financial assistance in certain circumstances.
  • We provide help and support at any time, however trivial you may consider the issue.


Q. What does the liver do?

The liver is a vital organ which performs many complex functions e.g. processing digested food and converting it into energy, controlling the levels of fat in the blood and fighting infection.


Q. What can go wrong with my liver?

There are over one hundred liver disorders. The most common are hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, cancer of the liver and primary biliary cirrhosis.


Q. What are the signs and symptoms of liver disease?

Typical signs include fatigue and weakness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss, itchy skin, jaundice and fluid in the abdomen.


Q. Do patients become confused?

With severe disease the liver cannot remove waste products and these can be carried to the brain. Symptoms range from minor memory lapses, slurred speech, confusion, or in severe cases, unconsciousness.

 

Q. Is cirrhosis only caused by alcohol abuse?

No. It is a popular misconception that cirrhosis only affects people who drink too much alcohol over the years. In fact there are many children with liver disorders. However alcohol abuse is a common contributory factor - a fact being well publicised by the authorities at the moment.

 

Q. How long will I have to wait for my transplant?

It could range from a couple of months to eighteen months depending on your condition and other factors.


Q. How long will I be in hospital?

This varies greatly depending on your recovery rate. Twelve to twenty one days is normal.

Q. What is the NHS Organ Donor Register?
This is a confidential computerised database holding the names of 15.8 million people who have decided to become organ donors. Some 413,000 of these are from Northern Ireland, approximately 23.6% of the population.

Q. How can I become an organ donor?
Contact the Organ Donor line on 0300 123 23 23, fill in the registration form which is readily available or using the on-line form on this site.

Q. Do people with liver disease have difficulty obtaining travel/medical insurance?
Many people with pre-existing medical conditions find it difficult and expensive to acquire cover when travelling abroad. While not making any specific recommendations, feedback tells us that the following companies have favourably treated our members in the past.

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