Prevention

Jaundice can be prevented if your liver is healthy and functioning efficiently. While causes such as pancreatic cancer and bile duct cancer cannot be prevented, there are things you can do to protect your liver.

• Avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
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• If you have not had hepatitis A or B, get vaccinated.
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• There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C, but you can reduce your risk by practising safe sex and avoiding injecting drugs or sharing intravenous drug needles. All the needles in hospitals nowadays are single-use.
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• Make sure shellfish are cooked properly before eating to prevent hepatitis A.
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• For people with gallstones, eating a low-fat diet helps to reduce the attack of pain. If the gallstones give you symptoms, remove it.

As with most diseases, timely and appropriate treatment saves lives, so seek medical help as soon as you notice any signs of jaundice, or experience intense abdominal pain and fever.

Dr Tan Huck Joo is the president of the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. The author is not associated with and does not endorse any brand or product. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and supported by the VITAGEN Healthy Tummies Programme. For a free digestive health booklet or more information, please contact 03-5621 1408.

-The Star/Asia News Network