How I Managed My Liver Disease: Lifestyle Tips for NASH

I get a lot of questions regarding my diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially the question, “How did you manage your NASH?” What a great question!

Learning to manage my liver disease

When I was first diagnosed with NASH, I felt utterly lost and hopeless. My specialist told me there were no drugs they could give me to help heal my liver. This was something I had to do on my own.

So, that is exactly what I did after getting over the initial shock of being told that if I didn’t change my lifestyle, I could be dead in 5 years. I sat down and had a hard think about what the leading causes of my liver disease were and what things I could eliminate from my lifestyle that would help me become healthier.

Here are the things I changed and stopped doing to help me manage my liver disease.

Key lifestyle changes that helped my liver

Medication

One of the hardest things I had to change was my pain medication. I was taking Tramadol at the time and had been for over 6 years. Tramadol is a potent opioid. I would not recommend it, as it can damage your liver and become highly addictive, but at the time, it was the only pain relief that could help me get on with daily life. I have now been clean from Tramadol for 2 years; this was a massive factor in reversing my liver disease.

Diet

The second thing I had to change was my diet, and to be more aware of what foods I was putting into my body. Obesity is a significant cause of liver disease. At the time of my diagnosis, I was very overweight and had diabetes, so my need to lose weight was already urgent. I cut out bread, chocolate, sweets, and fizzy drinks. I started eating healthy foods that help detox your liver. For example, lots of salad, vegetables, garlic, and walnuts are good for reducing fatty liver.

Exercise

Exercise and a healthy diet are the 2 main things you can change to help manage your liver disease. For me, because I have other health conditions that cause a lot of widespread chronic pain, I struggled—and still struggle—with exercise. However, I like going for a short, brisk walk, swimming, and yoga.

How can I better manage my liver disease?

Remember not to push your body too hard; be kind and patient with yourself as you make these lifestyle tips for NASH a part of your routine. I also used an app that helped me track my weight and food intake; this is an excellent way to improve your habits and track your progress. These changes have provided the support my body needed to heal.

What are some ways you've managed your liver disease? Share them below!