THE British Liver Trust is urging people to Love their Liver back to health as Love Your Lover Awareness Month comes to an end.

One in five residents in the North West could be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, the charity warns.

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive at the British Liver Trust, said: “Ninety per cent of liver disease is avoidable and sadly, the numbers of people being diagnosed have been increasing at an alarming rate, with more than 10,030 being admitted to hospital with liver disease in the North West in 20/21, an increase of almost 20 per cent in ten years.”

The liver is as vital as the heart and lungs and carries out over 200 functions, including breaking down food to convert it into energy, fighting infections and removing toxins. Although it is remarkably resilient, and can repair itself up to a point, if left until symptoms appear, liver damage is often irreversible.

The British Liver Trust encourages people to take a pledge that will help love their liver back to health; Drink within recommended limits and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week, cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise and know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk.

Non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD) could become the leading cause of liver disease in the next few years, overtaking alcohol, the charity says. The condition is normally caused by excess weight or obesity.