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The Gulf Coast Liver Support Group was organized in January 1998 to
provide a forum for adult patients with liver disease to learn more about
their condition and share with others their experiences, successes and frustrations.
We offer educational programs covering medical, social and nutritional
topics. A bi-monthly newsletter is mailed to registered members and
is also accessible through this website.

The liver support group is affiliated with the Digestive Health Center
at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Jorge L. Herrera, M.D.
and Ms. Betty Sims coordinate the group’s meeting and activities.
The group meets every other month at 6:00pm on a Thursday
at Infirmary West Hospital Conference Center. Activities are also planned
for the months when a meeting is not held. Participation in the support
group is free of charge. To ensure that all participants get the most out
of each meeting, we ask that you do not bring children to the meetings.
You are invited to join us to share common concerns and experiences
and learn more about liver diseases  and their treatment. For further information
you can contact us at 251-660-5555.

National Hepatitis Testing Day!

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May 19, 2012 will be the FIRST EVER National Hepatitis Testing Day!  It is a day for people at risk to be tested, and for health care providers to educate patients about chronic viral hepatitis.  The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recently recommends that all baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) be tested for hepatitis C infection, even if they feel well and their lab work has been “fine”.  This is the generation where the prevalence of hepatitis C infection is highest.  In addition, every person with any risk factor for hepatitis C should be tested.  People with hepatitis C infection are at risk of progressing to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.  Current treatment can cure the infection in up to 75% of infected patients.  To learn more about hepatitis C, risk factors, and the national testing day, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/KnowMoreHepatitis.htm

Deaths from Hepatitis C Increasing

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As people infected with hepatitis C get older, the number of persons developing complications from advanced liver disease is rising.  Yet, most infected people are not aware of having the disease.  At highest risk are the “baby boomers”, those born between 1945 and 1965.  Among this group, 1 out of every 33 people are infected, and most have no symptoms until there is advanced destruction of the liver.

A CDC study just published showed that in 2007 there were 15,000 deaths from hepatitis C, more than the number of deaths from AIDS.  This number is expected to increase unless efforts are increased to detect infected people and offer them treatment if indicated.  Federal health officials are considering whether they should recommend that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for hepatitis C, even if they have no symptoms.

After becoming exposed to the virus (usually from using a contaminated needle or having had a blood transfusion prior to 1992), liver inflammation develops slowly and over a period of 20 to 40 years slowly destroys the liver, increasing the risk for liver cancer.  In most infected people, symptoms arise only after substantial liver damage has occured, or cancer has developed.  Because symptoms are usually not present, this has been called the “silent epidemic”, about 3.5 million Americans are affected.

If you are concerned about having hepatitis C, be sure to ask your doctor or health care professional to test you.