Latest news with #liverdisease
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Why popular herbal supplements might be toxic for your liver
A growing number of liver damage and toxicity cases are linked to commonly used herbal and dietary supplements, and there has been a significant increase in people with supplement-related liver failure requiring transplants. Studies indicate that up to 20% of liver toxicity cases are connected to supplements, potentially leading to impaired liver function, liver failure, and, in severe cases, death, with over 50,000 liver disease-related deaths occurring annually. Common supplements like turmeric, black cohosh, red yeast rice, Garcinia cambogia, and green tea extract have been identified as potentially harmful, especially in high doses, and may not be accurately labeled. Experts highlight that supplements are not subject to the same rigorous testing as prescription drugs, leading to potential risks, and that many patients do not inform their doctors about their supplement use, increasing the danger. Symptoms of liver damage from supplements include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice; with researchers advocating for increased awareness and caution in supplement use to prevent future deaths.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mum with £19k Red Bull "addiction" goes cold turkey after fatty liver diagnosis
A mum who had a £19k "addiction" to Red Bull has gone cold turkey after being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Lucy Parker, 35, went for a CT scan after having pain in her thighs which revealed a cyst on her ovary and also highlighted a build-up of fat in the liver - which could lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, if it got worse. After cutting her three energy drinks a day habit - which saw her spend almost £20k on the energy drink over 15 years - Lucy claims doctors have seen improvements in her liver and says has no damage like fibrosis which means her condition is reversible. She has also been using Chat GPT to help her make "little swaps" in her diet and help her understand her condition more clearly - which she's hoping to fully reverse after going cold turkey on the fizzy energy drinks.
Health Line
5 days ago
- General
- Health Line
Can You Donate Part of Your Liver to Someone with Cirrhosis?
Liver donation can offer hope to people with later-stage liver disease. Cirrhosis (liver scarring) is typically not reversible, so treatment aims to manage symptoms and help prevent further complications. If a person wishes to become a liver donor, they and the recipient will need to consider certain factors and undergo evaluation before deciding on this option. What is living liver donation? Living liver donation is a procedure in which a healthy adult donates a portion of their liver to someone with end stage liver disease. Living liver donation is possible because the liver is the only solid organ in the human body that can regenerate itself completely. In healthy donors, the donated liver portion is typically about half the total liver, and this can fully regenerate within a few months. Who can receive a living liver donation? Living liver donation is an option for patients with end stage liver disease and various other conditions that lead to liver failure, such as cirrhosis. If you have a family member or friend who would like to donate part of their liver to you, speak with your transplant team to open up the discussion around this option. What do liver donors need to know before donating? When considering liver donation, you'll want to take into account certain factors, such as: Donor assessment: Any organ donor must have a thorough evaluation to make sure they're healthy enough to donate. This will also include blood tests such as ALT and albumin to measure liver function. Understanding: It's strongly encouraged that a donor understand the recipient's liver disease, their outlook, and the risks involved with the procedure for both parties. This information can help you make an informed decision about donation. Aftercare: After donation, both the donor's and the recipient's liver cells will start to regenerate. It's important that you are aware of what you can expect following the procedure, including timelines for recovery, strategies to aid healing, and when to expect follow-ups with your care team. Are there any conditions that disqualify someone from being a liver donor? Yes, you will not be able to donate if you have a diagnosis of certain conditions that could affect the health of your liver or increase your risks of complications, such as cirrhosis or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (previously known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). Blood tests such as the ALT (alanine aminotransferase) test and albumin test are commonly used to assess liver function. The ALT test can detect liver damage or disease, often before symptoms appear, while the albumin test measures levels of a protein made by the liver, with low levels potentially indicating liver disease. Can I donate anonymously to someone I don't know? Yes, it's possible to donate part of your liver to someone you don't know. This is called non-directed or anonymous donation. Because the liver is able to regenerate, you can safely donate one part (or lobe) to someone in need. You do not have to be a particular blood type to apply to donate, as liver donors do not necessarily have to be the same blood type. How long does it take to recover after liver donation? Donor surgery typically takes about 6 hours. Both the donor and recipient will typically stay in the hospital from 5 to 7 days, with close monitoring by their healthcare team while they recover. After you donate, your liver cells will regenerate, and the organ will grow back to 90% of its original size within 6 to 12 weeks for healthy donors. After you leave the hospital, it's important to work closely with your healthcare team to ensure your liver is healing properly.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Press release: Sequana Medical Secures Additional Convertible Financing of EUR 6.3 Million from SFPIM and Other Existing Shareholders
Sequana Medical Secures Additional Convertible Financing of EUR 6.3 Million from SFPIM and Other Existing ShareholdersGhent, Belgium, 27 May 2025 – Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA (the "Company" or "Sequana Medical"), a pioneer in the treatment of drug-resistant fluid overload in liver disease, heart failure and cancer, announced today that SFPIM (previously known as SFPI-FPIM) and other existing shareholders have invested a further EUR 6.3 million in the 2025 Convertible Loan announced on 18th March 2025. Together with the previously announced investment from EQT and Partners in Equity, this brings the total of new capital invested in the 2025 Convertible Loan to EUR 10.3 million. This new investment, together with the Company's existing financial arrangements are expected to extend the Company's cash runway into Q1 2026 based on expected drawdowns of the initial EUR 20 million Capital Commitment of the GEM committed share subscription facility. The Company confirmed that it remains on track for first US sales of the alfapump in Q3 this year through its own specialty salesforce that will target liver transplant centers, and that it remains confident of strong demand based upon very positive feedback from US clinicians. Production of the alfapump systems for the launch remains on track and the necessary clinical, logistical and QA/RA arrangements for supporting the launch are underway. The alfapump system is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. PMA approval was received in December 2024, building upon the FDA breakthrough designation received in 2019. It is the first active implantable medical device in the US that automatically and continuously removes ascites from the abdomen into the bladder, where it is naturally eliminated through urination. To date, over 1,000 alfapump systems have been implanted. Céline Vaessen, Chief Investment Officer at SFPIM, commented: 'Since we invested in Sequana Medical at the time of the IPO, we have remained a loyal and supportive investor with the aim to bring the pump to the patient. We are very pleased with the strong progress the Company has made and are excited to continue supporting the team at this important time. We have high hopes that the company will build a successful commercial team to drive the roll-out of its pump. Our participation in this financing round further demonstrates SFPIM's commitment to making a meaningful difference in patients' lives for whom there are hardly any treatment options.' Ian Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of Sequana Medical NV, added: "We are very grateful for the strong support from SFPIM and other existing shareholders, complementing the previous investment from EQT and Partners in Equity. With this additional significant investment, together with our existing financial arrangements, we can move forward with confidence for US commercial launch in Q3. Based upon the very positive feedback from US clinicians and particularly our initial launch centers, we are confident that we will be able to demonstrate the tremendous US commercial opportunity for pump to transform the treatment of recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis.' For more information, please contact:Sequana Medical Investor relationsE: IR@ T: +32 (0)9 496 17 27 About alfapump in recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis & the POSEIDON studyRecurrent or refractory ascites is a severe condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. The current standard treatment involves therapeutic paracentesis, an invasive and burdensome procedure that drains ascites from the abdomen using a large needle over an extended period. The alfapump is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. It is the first active implantable medical device in the US that automatically and continuously removes ascites from the abdomen into the bladder, where it is naturally eliminated through urination. To date, over 1,000 alfapump systems have been implanted. The US market of recurrent and refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis is forecast to grow by an average of 9% per year, from approximately 70,000 patients in 2025 to 130,000 patients by 2032, primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of NASH / MASH1. The total market opportunity for alfapump is estimated at over $2 billion in 2025, and is forecast to reach over $5 billion by 2035. The FDA's approval of the PMA is based on the successful execution of Sequana Medical's pivotal POSEIDON study, a landmark study across 18 centers in the US and Canada with a total of 69 patients implanted with the alfapump. The primary effectiveness endpoints at six months post-implantation in the Pivotal Cohort2 exceeded the predefined thresholds with statistical significance, and primary safety endpoint data was in line with expectations3. Data at 12 months post-implantation continued to show a strong and durable clinical profile, virtually eliminating the need for therapeutic paracentesis and delivering an improvement in quality of life (as defined by subjective physical health (assessed by SF-36 PCS) and ascites symptoms (assessed by Ascites Q))4. At AASLD's The Liver Meeting in November 2024, key POSEIDON investigators reported that the alfapump virtually eliminated the need for large volume paracentesis at 24 months, with overall survival of 62%5. The POSEIDON manuscript published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in January 2025 concluded 'the results from the literature indicate that the overall survival of patients with the alfapump was not worse as compared to TIPS and was higher than reported for standard of care (LVP)6'. Data from the patient preference study and a matched cohort analysis of the NACSELD-III registry with the POSEIDON Pivotal Cohort indicated that US patients have a strong preference for the alfapump vs standard paracentesis procedures and that the safety profile of the alfapump is comparable to standard of care7. About Sequana Medical Sequana Medical NV is a pioneer in treating fluid overload, a serious and frequent clinical complication in patients with liver disease, heart failure and cancer. This causes major medical issues including increased mortality, repeated hospitalizations, severe pain, difficulty breathing and restricted mobility. Although diuretics are standard of care, they become ineffective, intolerable or exacerbate the problem in many patients. There are limited effective treatment options, resulting in poor clinical outcomes, high costs and a major impact on their quality of life. Sequana Medical is seeking to provide innovative treatment options for this large and growing "diuretic resistant" patient population. alfapump® and DSR® are Sequana Medical's proprietary platforms that work with the body to treat diuretic-resistant fluid overload, and are intended to deliver major clinical and quality of life benefits for patients, while reducing costs for healthcare systems. The Company received US FDA approval for the alfapump System for the treatment of recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis in December 2024, following the grant of FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2019. Sequana Medical intends to start US commercialisation early in the second half of 2025 through a small specialty salesforce that it will establish to target the 90 US liver transplant centers that perform 95% of liver transplants. Results of the Company's RED DESERT and SAHARA proof-of-concept studies in heart failure published in European Journal of Heart Failure in April 2024 support DSR's mechanism of action as breaking the vicious cycle of cardiorenal syndrome. All three patients from the non-randomized cohort of MOJAVE, a US randomized controlled multi-center Phase 1/2a clinical study, have been successfully treated with DSR, resulting in a dramatic improvement in diuretic response and virtual elimination of loop diuretic requirements8. Sequana Medical is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels (Ticker: and headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. For further information, please visit For important safety information regarding the alfapump® system, see The alfapump® System is currently not approved in Canada. DSR® therapy is still in development and is currently not approved in any country. The safety and effectiveness of DSR® therapy has not been established. Note: alfapump® and DSR® are registered press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the future holds, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as of the date of this press release. 1 Based on US and Canada market assessment conducted by highly experienced international consulting group2 The Pivotal Cohort is used for the primary effectiveness endpoints and consists of 40 patients implanted with the alfapump3 Data reported in press release of 25 October 2022 4 Data reported in press release of 19 October 20235 Based upon the pivotal cohort of the POSEIDON study, data reported in press release of 18 November 20246 The Effects of alfapump on Ascites Control and Quality of Life in Patients with Cirrhosis and Recurrent or Refractory Ascites' American Journal of Gastroenterology7 Data reported in press release of 19 October 2023; Patient Preference study conducted by RTI Health Solutions, and matched cohort analysis presented by Dr. Bajaj at EASL Congress 2024.8 Data reported in press release of March 25, 2024; mean increase of 326% in six-hour urinary sodium excretion at 3 months follow up vs baseline, and 95% reduction of loop diuretics over same period Attachments 250526 Press release_FPIM CLA investment (ENG) 250526 Press release_FPIM CLA investment (NL)
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Together for Better Liver Health: WHA78 Side Event Unites Global Stakeholders to Strengthen Public Health Responses to Metabolic Disease
Geneva, Switzerland, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global health leaders call for urgent, integrated action on the rising rates of metabolic liver disease during a high-level policy event held on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly and co-hosted by Global Liver Institute (GLI), the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). This event brought together leading experts, policymakers, public health officials, and advocates to push for stronger public health strategies that address liver disease as part of the global noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) response and highlight the need to embed liver health within national NCD strategies. 'With liver disease now being the fourth leading cause of adult death in Mexico, we are acting early—starting from pregnancy to school-age—with education, screening, and healthier environments. Our vision is prevention-driven and science-led', shared Marta Zapata-Tarres, MD, PhD, Sub Secretary for Health and Director for National Institutes of Health, Mexico. During the event, GLI released the second edition of the Best Practices in Liver Health Policy report, featuring 5 new case studies from Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Qatar to demonstrate the integration of liver health into clinical pathways and broader health frameworks. Mohamed Hassany, MD, Prof., Minister's Assistant for Projects and Public Health Initiatives, Ministry of Health and Population, The Arab Republic of Egypt mentioned, 'The Hepatitis C campaign taught us a vital lesson: data-driven national efforts combined with trained human resources and specialized centers can change the course of a public health crisis. We now have the opportunity to apply these same tools to address severe liver disease.' Speakers championed a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach to liver health, including early diagnosis and treatment, community-based care models, and policy frameworks aligned with Universal Health Coverage and the WHO Global NCDs Action Plan. 'To overcome barriers like fragmented data and limited access, we are building a smarter, more connected system. By integrating data and partnering with the private sector, we are creating a future where liver health is no longer neglected,' shares Mary Ann Palermo-Maestrai, Undersecretary, Department of Health, Philippines. As momentum builds toward the 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on NCDs in September 2025, GLI will continue to drive global policy action and strengthen international collaboration to secure liver health as a core global health priority. CONTACT: Christine Maalouf Global Liver Institute cmaalouf@ in to access your portfolio
