Liver Disease : Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment
What Is Liver Disease?
Your liver is your body’s 2nd-biggest organ (after the skin). It sits simply below your ribcage on the proper side and is about the scale of a football. The liver separates vitamins and waste as they flow through your digestive gadget. It additionally produces bile, a substance that carries pollutants from your frame and aids in digestion.
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| Liver Disease |
The term “liver sickness” refers to any of numerous situations that could affect and damage your liver. Over time, liver disorder can cause cirrhosis (scarring). As extra scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, the liver can now not function nicely. Left untreated, liver ailment can lead to liver failure and liver cancer.
Your liver is a crucial organ that performs hundreds of responsibilities related to metabolism, energy storage, and waste filtering. It allows you to digest meals, convert it to electricity, and shop for power till you need it. It additionally helps clear out toxic substances out of your bloodstream.
Medical terms
The liver is about the size of a football and sits under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. The liver is essential for processing food and eliminating harmful toxins from your body.
Liver disease can be inherited (genetically). Damage to the liver can also occur as a result of various factors, such as viruses, alcohol, and obesity.
If conditions damage the liver, this can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) which can be fatal if not treated. Early treatment may give the liver time to heal.
Liver disease can sometimes not cause noticeable symptoms. If symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
If someone has jaundice, their skin and eyes will look yellow.
Abdominal pain and swelling
Swelling in the legs and ankles
Itchy skin
Dark urine color
Pale stool color
Chronic fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Tendency to bruise easily
explained Liver disease is a condition that can affect anyone. The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and plays an essential role in digestion metabolism and immunity As the body's primary filter the liver removes harmful substances from your blood and converts them into substances that can be eliminated safely.
and symptoms Liver disease is a condition in which the liver an organ that functions to remove toxins from the body and regulate blood clotting becomes damaged This damage can be due to a variety of causes including infection with viruses or bacteria injury or exposure to toxins such as alcohol or certain medications When liver damage is severe and/or occurs over time symptoms may appear.
When to see a doctor
If you have any troubling signs or symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. If you are in so much pain that you can't stay still, go to the hospital right away.
Causes Liver disease
Liver disease has many causes.
Infection
Liver infection can be caused by parasites and viruses. These viruses can spread through contact with blood or semen, food or water that is contaminated, or by being close to a person who has the infection. The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis. There are viruses that include:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Immune system abnormality
Autoimmune diseases in which your immune system attacks your own body tissues can affect your liver. Some examples of autoimmune liver diseases are:
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Genetics
If you inherit an abnormal gene from one or both of your parents, this can lead to substances building up in your liver, resulting in liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include:
Hemochromatosis
Wilson's disease
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a condition that affects the lungs.
Cancer and other growths
Examples include:
Liver adenoma
Other
Some common causes of liver disease include:
Chronic alcohol abuse
Fat accumulation in the liver can be a sign of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Some prescription or over-the-counter medications require that you take them with food.
Certain herbal compounds
Risk factors Liver disease
Certain things can make you more likely to develop positive liver diseases. One of the maximum well-known risk elements is heavy ingesting, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source defines as extra than eight alcoholic liquids in line with week for girls and greater than 15 liquids consistent with week for men.
There are several factors that may increase your risk of liver disease, including: -Having a history of viral or bacterial infections -Being obese -Drinking alcohol excessively
Heavy alcohol use
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Tattoos or body piercings
Injecting drugs using shared needles
Blood transfusion before 1992
Don't get blood or body fluids on you. Blood and body fluids can make you sick.
Unprotected sex
Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
Family history of liver disease
Complications Liver Disease
If liver disease is not treated, it can progress to liver failure, which is a life-threatening condition.
liver disease urine color
What color is the urine? It may be a bright yellow orange or brown A person with liver disease may also have skin that is yellow in color This yellowing can occur anywhere on the body including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet The yellowing may come and go or it may seem to be permanent and gets darker over time.
Can liver disease be cured?
Hepatitis C is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States with about 3 million people currently infected Another 1.4 million Americans have hepatitis B which attacks the liver and sometimes leads to liver cancer The good news is that a cure for hepatitis C exists: interferon alfa-2b also known as Pegasys and manufactured by Roche Laboratories and Schering-Plow Corp. has been found effective in more than 80 percent of patients who take it although many require treatment for 24 weeks or longer However side effects are common and range from fever chills and fatigue to nausea loss of appetite and depression.
What is the best medicine for liver disease?
Medicine for liver disease helps to maintain the function of the liver. It is advisable to take into account the needs of each patient and include them in the treatment of each case. However , there are some general recommendations that should be taken into account.
How do you repair a damaged liver?
The liver is a hard-working organ. It filters toxins from the blood, regulates blood clotting and stores vitamins and minerals that are needed by other organs. Damage to the liver can occur as a result of drinking too much alcohol, taking medications or being exposed to toxic substances.
Does green tea help your liver?
Green tea is a wonderful drink. It boasts many health benefits that make it more suitable than coffee in some situations. But does green tea help your liver? Or is this just another myth? Green Tea Helps Your Liver When It's Sick If you have hepatitis or other liver problems green tea contains antioxidants and other compounds that boost the immune system as well as provide antioxidant protection to the liver In addition green tea has been shown to neutralize free radicals and repair cell damage to the liver Drink green tea if you have hepatitis because drinking it can help your liver.
Prevention Liver Disease
You can take steps to save you a few types of liver disease — specifically those stricken by your diet and lifestyle.
To prevent liver disease:
Drink alcohol in moderation.For healthy adults, one drink a day is the recommended limit for women and two drinks a day is the recommended limit for men. Drinking more than this amount is considered to be high-risk drinking and can be harmful to your health.
Avoid risky behavior.Be careful when choosing a tattoo or body piercing shop. Make sure the shop is clean and safe before selecting it. If you are using illicit intravenous drugs, or if you do not want to share needles, talk to someone about what to do.
Get vaccinated.If you are at risk of contracting hepatitis or have been infected with the hepatitis virus, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
Use medications wisely.Only take medications when you need them and in the recommended doses. Do not take multiple medications or alcohol at the same time. Talk to your doctor before taking herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.
Stay away from blood and body fluids of other people.Bloodborne viruses, such as hepatitis viruses, can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleaning of blood or body fluids.
Keep your food safe.Before you eat or prepare foods, wash your hands thoroughly. If traveling in a developing country, drink water from sealed containers and brush your teeth with a toothbrush.
Take care with aerosol sprays.Use these products in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Always be sure to wear a mask when using insecticides, fungicides, or other toxic chemicals.
Protect your skin.When using toxic chemicals, wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat to protect your skin from being affected.
Maintain a healthy weight.Obesity can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Diagnosis Liver disease
If you’re worried about liver disease, it’s first-rate to make an appointment with a healthcare expert.
They’ll start by searching over your clinical history and asking approximately any circle of relatives about the history of liver troubles. Next, they’ll in all likelihood ask you some questions about symptoms you will be experiencing, which include once they started out and whether certain matters cause them to be higher or worse.
Depending on your signs, they’ll probably ask you about your drinking and eating behavior. Make certain to also inform them approximately any prescription or over the counter medicinal drugs you're taking, along with nutrients and supplements.
The cause and extent of liver damage is important in determining the best course of treatment. A doctor may start by asking about your health history and performing a physical examination.
Your doctor may then recommend:
Blood tests.Liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be used to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions.
Imaging tests.Ultrasound and MRI scans can show liver damage.
Checking a tissue sample.Taking a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of damage. A liver biopsy is most often done using a long, thin needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that's sent to a lab for testing.
Treatment Liver disease
Treatment for liver ailment relies upon the kind of liver sickness you have and how it has progressed.
Liver problems can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the diagnosis. Some problems can be corrected with lifestyle changes such as stopping drinking or losing weight, as part of a comprehensive medical program that monitors liver function closely. Other problems may require medical intervention, such as treatment with medications. Some medications or surgeries may be required.
If liver disease has caused or leads to liver failure, treatment may require a liver transplant.
Lifestyle and home remedies
There are many things you can do to improve your liver health. If you have been diagnosed with liver disease, your doctor may recommend that you make some changes in your lifestyle.
Drink alcohol sparingly, if at all.
Avoid red meat, processed carbohydrates, and foods with high-fructose corn syrup.
Do 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise three to four times a week.
If you're overweight, try to cut 500 to 1000 calories each day.
Alternative medicine
There is no known cure for liver disease, and alternative medicine therapies have not been proven to be effective. Some studies suggest that they might have benefits, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Some dietary and herbal supplements can harm your liver. Many medications and herbal products have been linked to liver damage, including:
Vitamin A
Ma-huang
Germander
Valerian
Mistletoe
Skullcap
Chaparral
Comfrey
Kava
Pennyroyal oil
Before taking complementary or alternative medicines, it is important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks.
Preparing for your appointment
If you have a problem with your liver, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the liver (a hepatologist).
What you can do
Please be aware of any restrictions that may need to be followed before your appointment.Make sure you have not eaten solid food the day before your appointment.
Write down your symptoms,Make sure to bring any materials that may seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment, such as books or toys.
Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements.
Write down your key medical information, including other conditions.
Write down key personal information,Consider any recent changes or stresses in your life when choosing a decoration.
Ask a relative or friend to go with you.This is a reminder of what the doctor said.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Questions to ask your doctor
What are the most likely causes of my symptoms?
What are the tests I need? What preparations do I need to make for these tests?
Can I expect my liver problems to last for a short time or a long time?
What treatments are available?
Should I stop taking medications or supplements because of the possible side effects?
Do I need to stop drinking alcohol?
I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
Can my children get liver disease?
Don't be afraid to ask your doctor additional questions during your appointment. You're not alone in your curiosity!
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask you a number of questions. Being prepared to answer them may allow time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:
How long have you been experiencing symptoms and how severe are they? Have your symptoms been continuous or intermittent?
Do any of the things in this passage seem to help improve your symptoms or make them worse?
Have you ever had your skin or eyes turn yellow after being exposed to the sun?
What medications and supplements do you usually take?
How often do you drink alcohol on weekdays?
Do you have any tattoos?
Are you exposed to chemicals while working?
Have you ever had a blood transfusion?
Have you had any health problems that might have been caused by your liver?
What is liver disease? Who has it in your family?
General summary
symptoms Liver disease is a group of conditions that affect the liver The liver is a large organ located in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen Its job is to filter toxins and waste from your blood produce proteins that help your body fight infection and heal wounds store nutrients and sugars and remove excess fluid from your body When something is wrong with your liver it may not be able to do its job properly The symptoms of liver disease can vary depending on what type you have and how severe it is Generally speaking though you may experience tiredness difficulty sleeping or digesting food because of the associated pain yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes (jaundice) weight loss.
