You are at risk for liver damage or disease if:

• You are exposed to blood or bodily fluids on the job.
• You are regularly exposed to toxins or chemicals such as aerosol cleaners, bug spray, paint fumes and tobacco smoke.
• You have injected drugs, especially if you shared a needle.
• You have had frequent, unprotected sex with multiple partners.
• You have had a tattoo or piercing with an unsterile needle.
• You consume alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can have toxic effects, especially when taken with over-the-counter drugs containing acetaminophen.
• You use certain herbs or herbal remedies. Mega doses of vitamins can also cause liver damage.
• You have certain conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, or high triglycerides.
• You received a blood transfusion before 1992. You may be at risk for hepatitis C.
• You are a military veteran, especially a Vietnam-era veteran who was exposed to someone else's blood.
• You have ever had an abnormal liver function test.

If you can answer yes to any of the statements above, you should see your doctor and ask for a liver enzyme test. It's painless, and most importantly it's dangerous to wait.

Why should you care about your liver?

• Because the liver performs over 5,000 important functions every minute of the day to keep your body going.
• Your liver converts food into nutrients and stores vitamins, minerals and sugars.
• The liver detoxifies substances that are harmful to the body.
• A healthy liver is essential to a healthy life.

How can you keep your liver healthy?

• Avoid putting yourself at risk for hepatitis and other liver diseases.
• Be careful about what you eat, drink, and breathe, because everything gets filtered by your liver.
• Consult your doctor if you think you have any risk factors for liver disease and ask about the vaccines for hepatitis A and B. If you do have liver disease, there are specialists who can help you.

> Learn about Liver Wellness