Worrying tests show how many people had liver disease '“ and didn't know

Those were the worrying findings made by British Liver Trust during a visit to the city today.

The organisation set up a mobile '˜Love Your Liver' unit in Commercial Road which allowed people to test the health of their livers.

More than 100 people were scanned, with 20 per cent found to have damaged livers that warranted further investigation.

Natasha North, communications manager at the charity said: '˜Portsmouth has one of the worst rates of liver disease in the south east. People need to care more for their livers.

'˜One guy was just on his way to go and meet his friends for drinks. He goes every Friday but decided to get checked on the way.

'˜He stopped at the liver unit and was scanned. It turns out he had significant damage to his liver. He said 'I'm not going for drinks now. Instead I'm going to bring my mates here'.

'˜Liver damage can really affect anyone. There was a woman in her 20s found to have significant degree of liver damage. People in their 80s also showed the same signs.'

The main cause of liver damage is excessive alcohol intake and a lack of exercise.

But a poor diet and not drinking enough water can also damage the organ.

At least 90 per cent of liver damage is preventable, British Liver Trust said. 

People are being urged not to drink more than the recommended daily weekly intake of alcohol, which is 14 units '“ about six glasses of red wine or five pints of beer a week.

And people are also urged to have two to three sober days between each 

For advice on keeping a healthy liver, see britishlivertrust.org.uk

 

Second from left, Jonathan Worsfold ), our Love Your Liver co-ordinator with a team from Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust including Dr Richard Aspinall