What You Need To Know (NAPSA)—Forgetfulness. Confu- sion. Difficulty doing math. Of- ten,these experiences are shrugged off as a normal part of getting older.However, sometimes, these changesare actually the body signaling a more significant underlying problem—liverdisease. In some cases, these symptoms can be signs of hepatic en- cephalopathy (HE). A serious, chronic condition, it occurs when the liver is no longer ableto filter out toxins produced within the body andallows those toxins, such as ammonia, to reach the brain. Once these toxic substances are in the brain, it may cause these dementialike symptoms. omers And Liver Health Whether you are a baby boomer or you care for a loved one within this generation, it is important to maintain liver health and understand the associated risks of liver disease. Being empowered with the awareness of specific liver conditions, such as HE, can lead to earlier discussions with your health care provider. For starters, being a baby boomer can put you at higher risk of hepatitis C, a condition that is one of the main causes of liver damage or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that all baby boomers should get screened for hepatitis C. With rising prevalence for this age group, hepatitis C may not show symptoms until the condition has developed into a serious liver disease. The Threat Of Hepatitis C The rate of patients with hepatitis C is estimated to grow to approximately 5 million by 2020. Of these patients, there will be approximately 1 million diagnosed with cirrhosis. These statistics do not take into account alcoholic cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or the other causesof cirrhosis. About seven out of 10 people Baby boomers and those who care for them need to know the importance of maintaining liver health and understand the associated risks of liver disease. with cirrhosis will develop some form of HE. Symptomsof the condition may begin slowly and grad- ually get worse or they may occur suddenly and be severe from the start. Depending on how badliver disease is in a person, the stages of HE span from mild to severe. When symptoms reach a severe level, patients’ health can rapidly decline, and they can experience prolonged hospitalizations and coma. That is why knowing the signs can becritical. Symptoms Of HE Hepatic encephalopathy ex- hibits both physical and mental signs. The following are mild to moderate symptoms that you should look for if you feel that you or a loved oneis affected by HE: Mild confusion Short attention span Mood swings Personality changes Change in sleep patterns eSlurred speech. If any of these symptoms is exhibited by you or someone under yourcare, it is important to speak with a health care provider. It is important to document the symptoms and share them with your health care provider. To learn more about HE, visit the American Liver Foundation’s dedicated webpage: www.he123.org.
