Christmas feast is quite a challenge for the liver. And although she is extremely patient, she may eventually rebel. How to prevent this from happening? Discover ways to deal with Christmas liver pain.

Christmas Liver Paincan happen even if your liver is working properly on a daily basis. When for a few days a year you have the opportunity to savor the speci alties you have been waiting for for so long, it's hard to deny yourself this pleasure. Unfortunately, most traditional Polish dishes are hard to digest, and we eat them in large amounts and for several days.

No wonder that problems begin: pressure and pain under the right lower rib, digestive disorders, a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea. These are the most common signs of liver failure. Although it does not hurt itself, because it is not innervated, overloaded with work increases in size and compresses the protective bag in which it is located. And then you feel an unpleasant stinging in your right side. And usually only then do you remember about it. If you want your liver to do its job well, take care of it and don't overburden it!

Liver pain during holidays - how to avoid it?

You don't have to give up the pleasure of eating. However, in order not to overload the liver too much, follow a few rules.

  • Reach for spices- by enriching your kitchen with herbs, you will not only gain a wonderful taste and aroma of dishes, but also ease your liver. Spices are the best for her, which stimulate the secretion of gastric juices and facilitate the digestion of fats, such as marjoram, thyme, juniper and mint, as well as relax the bile ducts, e.g. oregano and cumin. Fatty dishes seasoned with them will be easier to digest. But avoid hot peppers, peppercorns, curry, vinegar and mustard, as they irritate the digestive tract.
  • Lose weight Christmas dishes- for example, you don't have to fry dumplings before serving, you can heat them up by steaming or in a microwave oven; instead of oil, pour skim cream or natural yoghurt on the herring; in the salad, instead of mayonnaise, use natural yoghurt seasoned with spices (or a little mayonnaise); do not sweeten the dried fruit compote, bake cakes without fat (gingerbread, sponge cake).
  • Avoid animal fat- it is rich in cholesterol and its excess disturbs the liver and bile secretion. Lard is better replaced with vegetable fat with oil or olive oil, and instead of fatty meat (pork, duck, goose) eat lean (chicken, turkey, veal).
  • Give up frying- fried foods are hard to digest, so not only the stomach, but also the liver have trouble digesting them. Better bake fish and lean meat in foil, serve boiled or stewed.
  • Chew every bite carefully- you don't have to hurry anywhere during family feasts, so enjoy your food. When you chew everything thoroughly, the well-grounded pulp will go into your stomach. During biting, amylase is secreted along with saliva, thanks to which the digestion of some carbohydrates begins in the mouth. Biting also stimulates the production of gastric juice and pancreatic enzymes, which are involved in the further digestion of food. Eating slowly will allow the liver to provide the right amount of bile for digestion and trap harmful substances. Also, if you eat slower, you'll eat less!
  • Watch out for mushrooms- don't eat too much of them: not only are they hard to digest, but they also accumulate heavy metals and toxins that can damage the liver.
  • Limit desserts- the liver does not like fatty cakes, cakes, fresh French and yeast cakes, whipped cream, chocolate, because they are not only sugar bombs, but also fat bombs. If you can't help it, eat just one serving of cake and don't mix it with alcohol.
  • Eat moderately warm food -too hot and very cold are harmful to the liver. The same goes for drinks.

Liver pain on Christmas - home remedies

However, if you have indulged yourself with food and you feel discomfort after eating, let your liver rest. Get away from the table, sit comfortably or lie down on the couch and loosen the tightening clothes at the waist.

It is best to put a hot water bottle on the sore spot because of heat, the bile ducts expand, which facilitates digestion and relieves pain.

Also prepare herbal tea, e.g. from St. John's wort, sage or dandelion root (they relax, facilitate the flow of bile) or mint, chamomile (they act cholagogue, facilitate digestion), or reach for a ready-made herbal mixture.

When symptoms have subsided, encourage family members and guests to take a walk together. Movement will be beneficial for everyone, it will speed up the metabolism and you will feel lighter. Don't spend your entire holidays at the table!

Important

Liverit is a strong, regenerating organ, but it is not indestructible. They hurt her especially:

Alcohol- blocks the conversion of proteins, glucose and fats, which damages the liver. Long-term drinking of even small amounts of alcohol is the most dangerous, as it can lead to fatty liver or cirrhosis of the liver. That is why it is better to drink alcoholic beverages, even the weak ones, only from time to time.

Drugs- the liver is damaged by antibiotics, preparations containing sex hormones, as well as some anti-tuberculosis and anti-arrhythmic drugs, cytostatics, vitamin A, high doses of paracetamol.

Chronic (but not immediate) taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs used in diseases of the joints, bones and the locomotor system is toxic. Overuse of medications can lead to fatty liver disease.

Viruses- those that cause hepatitis B and hepatitis C (hepatitis B and C) are a serious threat to the liver. The infection may occur, among others during medical procedures, but also at a beautician, manicurist or during casual sexual contacts with an infected person.

In extreme cases, untreated hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. The only protection in the case of hepatitis B is the vaccine, but unfortunately there is no protection for hepatitis C. It also has a negative effect on the liver, including mononucleosis viruses, mumps, cytomegalovirus, rubella, chicken pox, measles.

  • Milk thistle supports the work of the liver. Medicinal properties of milk thistle
  • Hepatic colic - a common problem in women over 40
  • Liver pain - causes, treatment, home remedies
  • Liver diet - menu and rules. What to eat and what to avoid?
  • Overeating. Effective ways to improve digestion

"Zdrowie" monthly

Category:

Gastrology