Portal hypertension and sarcoidosis

[Guest guest]

Well, this subject line gives me more than 115,000 hits-- some dating back to

1961. Yep, sarc likes livers. Ours.

So how do we take care of ourself, and keep our liver happy. The consistent idea is that we develop high blood pressure both in the liver and the lungs. Portal and Pulmonary hypertension. To treat hypertension-- you back off the salt, get more fluids down so that you have a greater volume on blood so that your body doesn't think it's being devoid of red blood cells (oxygen carrying) and avoid alcohol. Basic medicine, and most of us don't want to do this-- we want our "normal" life- and to hell with making the small changes--

With the articles I read, I did not get the idea that portal or pulmonary hypertension will kill me in short order. There are medications (both forms use the same stuff) that can lower the high blood pressure.

With portal hypertension-- gastritis seems to be a common issue. So if you are blowing up --get on a good acid reducer. Aciphex works for me, and I've found that I can eliminate that if I use a good pro-biotic that puts the good bacteria back in my gut.

Like everything with this disease, you have to look at it as an ongoing commitment, and once you're feeling better-- you STAY ON your probiotics-- so you don't relapse.

We all SERIOUSLY NEED TO LOOK AT OUR NUTRITION-- if you are one who doesn't like veges (me) and would prefer icecream to fruit-- then go lowfat! Occasionally. (Damn..) Shop the outer isles of the grocery store-- and stay away from the quick meals that only need to be nuked. That alone will knock out a huge amount of sodium.

Soda's-- even diet, are not good for you. The carbonated soda is that- sodium! Add the fake sweetners, and you are once again asking your liver to do more work than it's able to do.

Vege juices are great I do an apple/carrot/ginger that I love. I even include the greens on the top of the carrots, and my body likes me when I treat myself to this drink. I find that I can add a vanilla flavored almond milk to it- and that gives me protein!

Too much protein is not good- as this can lead to high cholestrol-- so use good common sense and if you are a total protein junkie-(me) then cut back. Make small changes-- give it week to get used to the change, and then add the next step forward. You can't start out runnign a marathon if you've been sitting in a chair stagnant for a year, and you shouldn't start out totally changing your diet to extremes -- small baby steps. You'll find what works for you!

I will find my liver detox book tomorrow and get the title posted-- I know that we can feel better, even if we don't end up totally healed- we' will feel better!

Take care,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator