Health Tip: The lungs are the organ most affected by polluted air, but the effects of air pollution are not limited to the lungs. Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences Dr. Air pollution is as harmful to the liver as it is to the liver, says Shiv Kumar Sarin. From air pollution (…)
Health Tip: The lungs are the organ most affected by polluted air, but the effects of air pollution are not limited to the lungs. Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences Dr. Air pollution is as harmful to the liver as it is to the liver, says Shiv Kumar Sarin.
Harmful compounds from air pollution enter the liver. Metabolism is the same. These compounds enter the lungs, and any remaining compounds then enter the liver. Initial symptoms appear in the lungs and cause lung damage, but long-term effects also affect the liver.
- Inflammation – Air pollution can cause inflammation in the liver. Harmful particles in air pollution increase oxidative stress, which can damage liver cells.
- Tissue damage – Air pollution can damage liver cells and tissue, increasing the risk of serious diseases.
- Increased risk of disease – Prolonged exposure to toxic air increases the risk of chronic liver disease. This can lead to liver fibrosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.
- DNA damage – Certain pollutants can damage DNA, increasing the risk of liver cancer.
What happens when the liver is damaged?
When the liver is damaged, it cannot produce or deliver bile to the intestines properly. This causes bile to circulate in the bloodstream.
- The skin turns yellow, the eyes appear yellow, and jaundice may occur.
- Urine becomes dark. Sometimes, blood can appear in the urine due to blood leakage.
- Muscle wasting and unexplained weight loss may occur.
- There may be digestive problems, especially difficulty digesting fatty foods.
- The effects of liver damage can also be seen on the nails. This can cause the nails to appear spoon-shaped.
- They scratch and bleed easily.
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