For medical miracles to happen, you need to be aware of the importance of donation
Organ donation and transplantation is advancing in Mexico, however, more than 20 people are waiting for organ and tissue transplantation.
The population needs to know that there is a cure for liver diseases, that the possibility of a transplant is always there.
Did you know that the liver is the only vital organ in the human body capable of 100% regeneration?
The liver is an important organ for your body. It filters the blood to remove bacteria and stores vitamins and minerals. It also stores excess glucose and converts it into usable energy. The liver is a small, cone-shaped organ located just below the lungs in the upper right abdomen. Depending on the severity of a patients condition, it can be up to five pounds. Here are some facts about the liver:
The liver produces bile, which aids digestion and transports nutrients throughout the body. It also breaks down protein to make energy. Bile also gives your stool its color. When you eat protein, the liver breaks down amino acids found in your food into essential amino acids. Amino acids are important for building and maintaining protein, and vitamin K is important for blood clotting. The function of the livers in our bodies cannot be overemphasized!
Although the risk of split liver transplantation is greater than that of a whole liver when it is from deceased patients; In the face of organ shortage, the Cleveland Clinic team has developed procedures that minimize the complications of dividing a liver for transplantation into two adults.
An example of success is María Contreras and Mónica Davis, who recently completed two years of brand new liver from a deceased patient, in which both received a portion.
Cristiano Quintini, director of the liver transplant unit at the Cleveland Clinic, explained that about 100 professionals participated in the complex and difficult technique, led by nine surgeons who performed the transplants in July 2020.
Now, the “split liver sisters,” as they call themselves, have recovered and their quality of life is excellent, the doctor says.
Mexico has made progress in terms of organ donation, according to the Ministry of Health, it is positioned as one of the countries in Latin America with the largest number of donated and transplanted organs. From August 2020 to April 2021, 125 deceased-donor kidney transplants and 429 living-donor kidney transplants were performed; liver, 39 deceased donors against eight living; from heart they have done 4; lung four and cornea 329. However, more than 20 people are waiting for organ and tissue transplants. Hence the relevance of telling success stories like the one shared by the Cleveland Clinic.
Liver transplant testimonial
The nightmare of María Contreras, mother of four and grandmother of two, began in 2014 when an itchy hand forced her to go to the doctor. After several tests, doctors diagnosed a problem with her immune system that was destroying her liver.
“My eyes turned yellow, very yellow, I felt sad and I put on glasses so they wouldn't see me,” he says.
The 53-year-old mother and grandmother says that for years she waited for a miracle to happen. “They told me it could wait up to a decade or more.”
Likewise, Monica Davis' liver problems began in 2014. The diagnosis for the mother of three and grandmother of four was discouraging. The 59-year-old woman confesses that she thought “there was nothing more to do. I'm going to die".
The two also wanted to join together to make a call to the community. “For these medical miracles to continue happening, we need all of us to be aware of the importance of donation, especially among Hispanics,” Contreras insisted.
“People should know that there is a cure for liver diseases, that the possibility of a transplant is always there, and that they are accessible to everyone, regardless of race or age,” explained Spanish surgeon Teresa Diago Uso, who is part of the Cleveland Clinic transplant team.
Data
The liver is the only vital organ in the human body capable of 100% regeneration, allowing doctors to transplant just a piece large enough for the organ to finish renewing itself. Medicine has taken advantage of this characteristic, which has also allowed people to donate a piece of this organ while they are alive.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 17 people die each day in the country waiting for a transplant, and every 9 minutes one more person is added to the transplant lists. In the case of Mexico, more than 20 people are waiting for organ and tissue transplants.
Food to maintain a healthy liver
To protect the liver, eat foods that are high in antioxidants and fiber. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including whole grains and protein sources. Citrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges also contain bioflavonoids and antioxidants. These foods support liver detoxification and reduce inflammation. Vitamin D is important for general health, and a diet rich in vitamin D may help with your symptoms. It is also important to maintain a healthy body weight to support liver health.
Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular for human health. People are also taking supplements from the plants to cleanse and detoxify the liver. Many of these products have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. While this research is in its early stages, there are some exciting findings in the field. For example, the antioxidant properties of apple polyphenols are also known. Aluminum chloride and tamoxifen are known to induce hepatic oxidative stress in rats. The intake of dried apple and tangerine juice significantly decreased the amount of toxic compounds that caused liver oxidative stress.
Another important factor is exercise. Exercise helps the liver fight contaminants in the blood and keeps it working properly. The liver is the most efficient factory in the body and converts food into essential chemicals for the body. The liver needs plenty of fluids to function optimally and defend itself against potential threats. Regular exercise also helps the liver in its job of converting food into energy. Eating small, regular meals is another important factor in liver health. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water up to date.
The liver is a unique organ. It is the only organ in the body that regenerates. In many other organs, damage to the liver is irreversible. Once it has started to heal, the organ will not be able to function properly and will need a transplant. For people suffering from liver failure, it is important to reduce your alcohol intake and avoid drinking altogether. While reducing alcohol consumption can reduce your chances of developing the disease, it's not enough to reverse the damage already done.
About Cleveland
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multidisciplinary academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. It has the most ambitious liver transplant program in the United States.
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by 4 distinguished physicians whose vision was to provide excellent patient care based on the principles of cooperation, solidarity and innovation.
Cleveland Clinic pioneered several medical discoveries, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. US News & World Report consistently lists Cleveland Clinic as one of the best hospitals in the entire country in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Of Cleveland Clinic's 72,500 employees worldwide, more than 5,050 are salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 are registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties.
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Last modified: 2024-10-03T09:30:55+10:00
