Liver disease rates soaring in Canada
New statistics show that more and more Canadians are dealing with some form of liver disease throughout their life.
According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, one in four Canadians will have to combat some form of liver disease in their lifetime. That number has increased from one in 10 in 2013.
Mohit Arora was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a deadly condition, in 1993 when he was just a baby.
“It’s a difficult thing, because I spent the majority of my childhood in the hospital,” Arora said.
While his outlook wasn’t promising, on his 11th birthday he received a gift of life: a liver transplant. That was 30 years ago.
“Everyone on the health care team … have been a real big help over the years and also just the fact that I’ve been taking care of myself,” he said.
Holly Nyenkamp from the Canadian Liver Foundation, said people may suffer from liver disease and not know it.
“Symptoms aren’t always clear and really by the time your liver has sustained some significant damage, you’re in that further progressed stage of liver disease,” Nyenkamp said.
March is Liver Health Month and a local dietitian told CTV News there are ways people can get on top of their liver health before it becomes an issue.
“Keep track using a food journal and sometimes even a symptom log if they’re experiencing issues to see if there’s a correlation between sometimes what they eat and then some of their symptoms,” said Paula Ross, a registered dietitian in Sudbury.
Experts agree keeping active and limiting sugar and fat in your diet is the best way to stay healthy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.