Cirrhosis of the liver | The best treatments and cures to reverse liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/ en-us health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com 2012 Cirrhosis Of The Liver Cirrhosis Of The Liver The liver is an important organ located in your abdomen. It is the liver's job to filter out harmful toxins in your bloodstream and process nutrients. When your liver is damaged, it tries to heal itself, and like many other organs, when it heals it forms scar tissue on the area that has been damaged. This scar tissue is inflexible, and when enough of it is present, it prevents the liver from performing its functions properly. Unfortunately, initial damage to the liver often goes undetected because the outward symptoms do not present themselves until the damage is extreme. When extensive scarring is present in the liver it is called cirrhosis. Advanced cirrhosis of the liver is a life threatening condition, and can require a liver transplant or lead to death. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Symptoms Cirrhosis of the liver often goes undetected in its early stages because the symptoms don't really appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage. Blood work can be done to detect irregular or elevated liver enzymes, but other than that, the outward symptoms may go unnoticed for a long time. Diagnosis can also be complicated because typical symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, itching, confusion or pain in the stomach can be ignored or mistaken for signs of other illnesses. The symptoms that usually end up getting attention from the doctors are jaundice, which is characterized by a yellowing of the skin or eyes, nosebleeds that are constant and excessive, bruising and edema of the abdomen and legs. Other telltale signs are when the palms turn red or when red spots and tiny lines on the skin appear. All of these symptoms are indications of the presence of toxins in the bloodstream, and usually lead to tests such as liver biopsies being performed to confirm that it's cirrhosis. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Stages Cirrhosis of the liver is a diagnosis that describes liver damage caused by a variety of things, including a high-fat diet, alcohol abuse, hepatitis and autoimmune diseases. The condition is often not detected until it reaches its later stages, because the first stage is simple inflammation at a microscopic level, which shows no external symptoms, and the second stage is also simply inflammation but at this stage it has caused scarring and damage. Stage 3 of cirrhosis of the liver is the first point at which you might notice symptoms, which are caused by increased blood pressure caused by the scarring in the liver. Finally, in the fourth stage, the fibrous tissue that has replaced healthy tissue in the liver's structure prevents it from functioning properly and serious health issues begin to appear. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Diet Although liver damage is not reversible, there are many things that can be done to improve the condition of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. Alcohol must be avoided completely, and this is also true of high fat foods. A healthy diet of whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits is particularly helpful, because damage to the liver prevents it from performing one of its vital functions, delivering nutrients to the body. Because of a variety of complications that can take place in patients with cirrhosis of the liver, it is usually a good idea to cut back dramatically on sodium, stay away from too much animal protein, and eat multiple small meals rather than large meals. Many medications can exacerbate problems in the liver, so be sure to check with your doctor before taking anything without his knowledge. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/ 10 Nov 2011 06:48:24 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Inflammation of the Liver Associated With Excess Fat Inflammation of the liver is better known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; it affects between two and five percent of the population and is a disease that can be deadly if left untreated. It is sometimes called the silent liver disease because it has so few symptoms; when its symptoms do show up, they are often so vague and similar to that of a number of other illnesses that it isn't detected until blood tests are done to test for elevated liver enzymes. It arises in people who first suffer from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and represents a progression from that condition, with the addition of inflammation has led to actual scarring and permanent damage. Inflammation of the Liver Causes Unlike alcoholic hepatitis, which is caused by consumption of alcohol, the cause of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is an excess of fat in the liver. It is more likely to affect women than men, and can happen in children as well as adults. Fat in the liver is a condition that affects one in every five people, and the medical terminology for it is non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This is a reversible condition, and it does not by itself represent damage. But if left untreated, NAFLD can progress to Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the progression from one to the other indicates that damage has been done, inflammation is present and scar tissue may begin to form. Once the liver is infiltrated by scar tissue, it is no longer able to perform its functions, and the impact can be very serious. Because the liver is responsible for so many important processes, when the liver is severely damaged it causes systemic problems. Inflammation of the Liver Associated with Excess Fat Inflammation of the liver caused by excess fat is becoming more common, and this is generally attributed to the epidemic of obesity. Obesity can cause many other health issues including diabetes, heart problems and high blood pressure, and these dire health conditions are exacerbated by liver damage. The liver processes all of the blood from the stomach and intestines, creating bile which breaks down fat and removes waste, and protein and cholesterol for various purposes, and breaking down toxic substances among other duties. When the excess fat in the cells of the liver begin to create inflammation, scar tissue can form. Once there is enough scar tissue, it slows down or stops the flow of blood through the liver, effectively halting the work that the liver does. Symptoms include a feeling of general illness and exhaustion, weight loss, muscle wasting, jaundice and acute water retention. Once this process has begun and gone to a certain point, it is irreversible. Inflammation of the Liver Treatment Although there is no cure for inflammation of the liver once it gets to the point that it is diagnosed as causing scarring, there are many things that can be done to improve the quality of life and can reverse some of the symptoms of the liver damage. The single most important step that you can take is to lose weight and eat more nutritiously. Not only will this prevent additional damage, but will also have a positive impact on many of the other conditions that often accompany nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, including diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exercise should be added to your daily activities, and alcohol should be avoided at all costs, as well as medications that may exacerbate the condition. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/inflammation-of-the-liver.html 20 Feb 2012 09:15:55 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Sclerosis of the Liver NHS Sclerosis is a medical term that describes a hardening and stiffening of tissue. It can happen to many different organs and parts of the body, but when it occurs in the liver, it is more commonly and more accurately called cirrhosis. The liver is a crucial organ, the largest in the body, and it is responsible for cleaning toxins from the bloodstream, manufacturing proteins and bile, storing nutrients and sugars and breaking down fat. When the liver is damaged, scar tissue forms. This has an impact on the liver's ability to perform all of its functions because blood can no longer flow through it freely. Sclerosis, or cirrhosis, is a serious illness that causes death in many. Sclerosis of the Liver Causes Though there are many different factors that can contribute to sclerosis, the main three causes are fatty liver disease, alcohol, and a disease called Hepatitis C, which can be caused by unprotected intercourse or drug use with dirty needles. Fatty liver disease is a condition in which the normal cells of the liver are replaced by large amounts of triglycerides, and is often accompanied by high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. The liver can become enlarged, and though the condition is reversible, if it is not remedied it can be a cause of the kind of damage that will scar the liver. Hepatitis C is a virus that can cause damage, and if it is combined with alcohol the damage is exacerbated. Women have a higher risk of cirrhosis then men. There are other medical conditions that can contribute to scarring of the liver; the bile ducts backing up can cause damage, as can heart disease. Sclerosis of the Liver Stages When liver damage and cirrhosis begin, there are usually no symptoms. But as more scar tissue forms and the liver is unable to perform its normal functions, the damage starts to show up in a variety of ways. Various signs of illness, such as exhaustion, loss of appetite, weakness and feeling unwell are the first real signs, and because they are so vague it may take some time for a diagnosis to be made. Eventually more telltale signs like jaundice, red capillary lines on the skin, tenderness around the liver, and uncommon bruising will lead your physician to conduct liver function tests. If the damage is not quickly addressed more serious conditions like extreme fluid buildup in the legs, vomiting blood and black tarry stools are an indication of swollen varices, which are the small blood vessels in the stomach, bursting. This is a sign of extreme liver failure. Sclerosis of the Liver Treatment Unfortunately, there is no cure for sclerosis of the liver, but the conditions that contribute to it can be treated in hopes of alleviating the symptoms. Fatty liver disease, one of the major contributors, is treated by adjusting your diet, cutting fat and calories and increasing fiber in order to reverse the disease. Medications are available for the treatment of Hepatitis C, and if alcohol abuse is a contributing factor, then drinking needs to be cut out completely. There are also steps you can follow to diminish the symptoms of cirrhosis. Cutting sodium and taking diuretics, or water pills, can decrease water retention and swelling, and medications can be taken to address some of the other symptoms. There are surgical procedures that can be performed to address the swollen or bleeding varices. Cirrhosis is a serious condition; in the case of extreme liver damage, a liver transplant may be indicated. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/sclerosis-of-the-liver.html 20 Feb 2012 10:03:42 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Steatosis Diet Steatosis is a medical term for an over abundance of fatty triglycerides that accumulate inside a cell, usually inside the cells of the liver. Although by themselves these fatty cells are not problematic, they can cause a variety of other dangerous illnesses, and are usually an indication of other problems. Steatosis is not a permanent condition; if treated properly it will reverse itself, but if left alone it can lead to other serious problems with the liver, including cirrhosis. Steatosis Definition Steatosis is also known as nonalcoholic fatty litter disease, or NAFLD. The definition of steatosis is an infiltration of the liver by fatty cells; these cells are generally triglycerides, which are usually processed by the liver for the body's future energy uses. These fat cells end up replacing the normal cell structure, and though they do no actual harm, they can eventually cause an individual cell to burst. They can also lead to an enlarged liver as the organ itself becomes overrun with fat. Unlike many other, more serious liver diseases, steatosis is not caused by alcoholism, and it can affect people of all ages, including young children. It is unclear what actually causes it, but it does tend to show up in people who have very high blood pressure and who are obese, and many doctors believe that its root cause is metabolic syndrome. The incidence of steatosis is rising dramatically. Steatosis Symptoms Steatosis or fatty liver symptoms are similar to many of the other metabolic disorders, and include high blood pressure and hypertension, obesity, abnormally high triglyceride cholesterol levels or abnormally low lipoprotein levels, and resistance to insulin. Steatosis is almost never detected on its own, but instead is discovered in the course of investigating other symptoms. On rare occasions, it may be discovered during a physical exam if a physician notices the enlarged liver or if pain is reported under the ribcage. Sometimes people with fatty liver disease complain of fatigue or depression, but these symptoms are too vague to be helpful in diagnosis. Steatosis Treatment Although steatosis is not a condition that is dangerous unto itself, it is symptomatic of underlying problems, and it is important that the disease start be reversed as soon as possible. The most immediate corrections for fatty liver disease include losing weight, taking cholesterol-reducing medications, exercising and getting diabetes (if it is present,) under control. Improving your overall nutritional intake is essential, but weight loss must be gradual or the condition could get worse; foods that are high in fiber and low in fat should be incorporated slowly into your diet with a goal of reducing fat intake to less than thirty percent overall. Your physician should check to see if you have diabetes and, if you do, begin a regimen of insulin or other medications to get it under control. Also, even though steatosis is not caused by alcohol, people who have been diagnosed with this condition should avoid alcohol entirely because it can cause liver damage. Steatosis and Cirrhosis It is important for people who have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease to adhere to the regimen prescribed by their physician so that their condition can be reversed. Although the condition is not dangerous, if left untreated it can lead to other complications, including cirrhosis and liver damage, particularly if you have the additional risk factors of diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. Twenty five percent of people who have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease end up being diagnosed with a more serious liver disease, and many end up requiring a liver transplant. In order to avoid this result, it is essential that a healthier lifestyle be pursued. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/steatosis.html 20 Feb 2012 11:04:01 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com End Stage Liver Disease Prognosis Liver diseases of some kind affect one in ten Americans. End-stage liver disease is the seventh most common cause of death in those between the ages of 25 and 65. The liver is a vital organ and a robust one, a healthy liver being able to regenerate itself if damaged, unlike many other organs of the body. It helps with or is central to many bodily functions including the digestion of food, especially fats, protein manufacture, storage of nutrients, and processing of vitamins and the metabolism of medications. The term "liver" literally means "that which lives," and shows that from ancient times, people have understood how vital the organ is; in fact, before the advent of modern medical science many people believed that the liver rather than the brain was the organ of thought. They were wrong about that, but not wrong in recognizing the importance of the liver. Most serious liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer of the liver, are ongoing, progressive diseases that go through recognizable stages. "End stage" liver disease, or ESLD, is a term used to refer to any liver disorder that has progressed to the point where hepatic function is very severely impaired and the damage is extensive, irreversible, and quite likely fatal. Symptoms Of End Stage Liver Disease While liver diseases can be asymptomatic in earlier phases, ESLD always exhibits symptoms, normally quite severe ones. Symptoms can include: Ascites, a bloating of the abdomen as fluid accumulates due to hepatic dysfunction (often a painful condition and one that interferes with breathing by putting pressure on the abdomen); hepatic encephalopathy, a nerve and brain condition resulting from the buildup of toxins in the blood as the liver's blood-cleansing functions break down (leading to memory loss, sleep disturbance, fatigue, slurred speech, tremors, and eventually coma); portal hypertension, a result of constriction of the blood vessels through the liver, causing blood vessels in other parts of the digestive system to hyper-inflate and balloon, possibly leading to internal hemorrhage and death; hepatorenal syndrome, a failure of the kidneys secondary to increased toxins in the blood due to hepatic dysfunction, again a potentially fatal complication. In addition, patients with ESLD also often exhibit many of the symptoms of earlier stages of liver disease, such as jaundice, abdominal swelling, and chronic abdominal pain. Life Expectancy And Prognosis Prognosis of end stage liver disease is very poor and life expectancy is not promising. Although treatments for the common symptoms do exist, when the disease reaches its end stage the damage cannot be undone and the liver can no longer regenerate itself. Barring the receipt of a liver transplant, the likelihood of survival for five years with ESLD is low. Treatment Of End Stage Liver Disease Depending on exactly what is causing the liver failure, various treatments may be undertaken. If liver cancer is present, or hepatitis, treatments specific to those diseases will be undertaken. In all cases, patients should eliminate alcohol consumption (even if alcohol is not the primary cause of the liver disorder), and may need to make other dietary changes such as a low-sodium diet or the use of diuretics. Medications and other treatments to remove contaminants from the blood may be used. In case of severe ascites, use of a needle to extract abdominal fluid under local anesthesia may be necessary periodically. The only "cure" for end stage liver disease is a liver transplant. There is considerable risk involved in this procedure but improvements in recent years have raised the success rate to nearly 90%. However, a long waiting list exists and the availability of donor organs is not great. There may be a wait of as long as three years, depending on blood type and other factors, and the problem may be keeping the patient alive long enough for a transplanted organ to become available. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/end-stage-liver-disease.html 19 Mar 2012 12:28:08 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com HighLiver Enzymes In Pregnancy A blood test that reveals elevated liver enzymes may or may not be a cause for concern. Certainly it is an early possible sign of liver disease, and the liver is a vital organ, so that damage to the liver is a serious matter. Further diagnostic testing is definitely indicated, but liver enzymes may be elevated without the underlying cause being a serious danger to health. There are two liver enzymes which a blood test most often reveals to be elevated: alanine transaminase or ALT, and aspartate transaminase or AST. A few other enzymes may be elevated as to serum levels due to certain liver conditions, but less commonly than ALT or AST. (The liver is a very complex organ and produces literally thousands of chemical substances aiding in digestion and metabolism.) AST is of particular use in showing likely liver damage from alcohol-related causes. Causes of High Liver Enzymes A lot of different factors can cause liver enzymes to be above the normal concentration in the blood. Some of these are liver disorders, others aren't; of the liver diseases that can produce high enzymes, some are serious conditions warranting treatment and others are not so serious and require only monitoring and possibly minor lifestyle changes. The list of possible causes is long, and includes adrenal gland deficiency, fatty liver disease, cancer of the liver, hepatitis, obesity, several different medications including drugs to lower cholesterol, certain antibiotics, excessive use of certain herbal substances, excessive use of alcohol, and cirrhosis of the liver. Some of these causes, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer, are obviously of serious concern; others may be minor liver problems, problems unrelated to the liver itself, or not really problems at all. Symptoms of High Liver Enzymes Actually, high liver enzymes are themselves a symptom, so it's not really accurate to speak of "symptoms" of the condition; strictly speaking, elevated liver enzymes in the blood produce no symptoms. On the other hand, some of the underlying causes may produce symptoms other than high enzymes, and these can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), pain, nausea and vomiting, abdominal swelling, chronic pain (especially in the area of the torso over the liver), and certain other symptoms. Any of these may be noticed by a physician or a patient and lead to a recommendation of a serum liver enzyme test to confirm that the problem is liver-related. Treatment of High Liver Enzymes Normally, when a blood test reveals elevated liver enzymes, the next step is to identify why that is so, and treatment is prescribed for the underlying condition in cases where it is warranted. This may include reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, a regimen of gradual weight loss, changing medications or dosages, treatment for cancer or for infectious disease, or an alteration of diet and exercise to treat diabetes. Most of the time, the only treatment prescribed is a change in behavior and lifestyle. On rare occasions when a severe disease of the liver is present, more aggressive treatment may be called for up to and including a liver transplant or chemotherapy and other treatments for cancer. High Liver Enzymes And Pregnancy Pregnancy should normally result in the elevation of some liver enzymes, but not of AST or ALT. High levels of these enzymes are a sign that something abnormal is going on, and this happens in approximately five percent of pregnancies. Sometimes high liver enzymes can be the sign of a serious complication of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia. Other signs of this disorder are high blood pressure and protein dissolved in urine. This is a very serious complication and can, if it advances to the acute condition known as eclampsia, result in seizures, loss of the fetus, and even death of the mother. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/high-liver-enzymes.html 19 Mar 2012 13:02:38 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Fatty Liver Signs Diet Fatty liver or fatty liver disease is a liver condition or liver disease in which large fat deposits accumulate in the liver. Fatty liver seldom has symptoms (although occasionally it does). It is itself a symptom of many different liver diseases, and in severe cases can be a problem in itself. It's a chronic condition of the liver having various causes. In most cases it is reversible by changing the factor that is causing the condition. Like most liver problems, it can result from alcoholism or alcohol abuse; it can also result from obesity, diabetes, and any illness resulting in abnormal retention of lipids by the cells. Symptoms Of Fatty Liver Disease Ordinarily there are no symptoms of fatty liver disease. Once in a great while, a patient will experience chronic pain in the torso near the location of the liver (upper-right quadrant). Sometimes, too, fatty liver results in chronic fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Usually the appearance of symptoms indicates a more serious condition. The symptoms may not result directly from the fatty liver, but may be a sign of general liver dysfunction resulting from the same cause as the fatty liver. Normally, however, the disease has no symptoms. Instead, it is diagnosed from blood tests or medical imaging undertaken for some other reason. Blood tests can show elevated liver enzymes, which are a sign of liver problems, including fatty liver. Medical scanning using methods such as an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can reveal the presence of fat deposits in the liver directly. The discovery of fatty liver is followed by efforts to determine what is causing it, as that will determine the preferred treatment; patients are surveyed as to the amount of alcohol intake, diet, exercise, infectious diseases, and other conditions capable of causing fatty liver. Treatment Of Fatty Liver Just as there are normally no symptoms of fatty liver per se, so there is no treatment for fatty liver itself. Instead, treatment focuses on the underlying cause. If fatty liver results from excessive alcohol consumption, treatment consists of reducing or eliminating alcohol. If it has another cause, such as obesity or diabetes, a different treatment appropriate to that condition is undertaken. Whatever the cause of fatty liver, it's a good idea to address it because of an uncommon complication, a form of cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer develops in an estimated ten percent of patients with alcoholic fatty liver, and is also associated with non-alcohol-related fatty liver although not to the same degree. In addition, most if not all of the potential causes of fatty liver have other serious health complications, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease. (Whether fatty liver itself carries this risk or not is hard to determine, as it is a known risk factor of alcohol abuse, obesity, and diabetes anyway.) Fatty liver, in addition to being a liver disease in its own right, is an early symptom or indicator of very serious liver conditions such as fibrosis or cirrhosis. For that reason, fatty liver should be monitored closely even though it is not especially dangerous in itself; later stages of these more serious diseases can be life-threatening and may even require a liver transplant. Fatty Liver Disease And Diet One of the most common prescriptions for treating fatty liver is a change in diet. This may be as simple as cutting out alcohol, or it may aim at reducing weight or treating blood sugar imbalances. When weight loss is the goal, physicians recommend losing weight gradually rather than rapidly. Whatever the cause, fatty liver is almost always a reversible condition that a change in lifestyle of one kind or another can send into remission. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/fatty-liver-symptoms.html 19 Mar 2012 13:25:48 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Enlarged Liver Causes Enlarged liver, as the name implies, is a condition in which the liver is swollen or enlarged; it is also known as heptomegaly. Enlarged liver is a symptom of a large array of liver diseases, although not an inevitable symptom of any of them. That is, liver diseases often occur without any symptoms at all. When symptoms such as enlarged liver do occur, the disease has usually progressed to the point where it needs to be taken seriously. Enlarged liver, therefore, is always a sign of a potentially serious risk to health. Symptoms Of Enlarged Liver Enlarged liver is itself a symptom and is not always accompanied by any other symptoms. Sometimes, however, it occurs alongside pain the region of the torso above the liver (upper right side). Other signs of liver disease may accompany enlarged live as well, including loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the abdomen, and generalize body pain. Diagnosis Of Enlarged Liver The best (and only sure) way to diagnose enlarged liver is through the use of medical imaging techniques. These include computerized tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Causes Of Enlarged Liver There are a great many diseases of the liver that can result in an enlarged liver, and these diseases in turn sometimes have multiple possible causes. Enlarged liver can be a sign of fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis of the liver, any form of infectious hepatitis, or liver cancer. In fact, any disease causing liver damage or liver dysfunction can result in a swollen liver, although this doesn't always occur. Underlying causes of the liver disease of which enlarged liver is a symptom may be alcohol abuse, poor diet, diabetes, obesity, viral infections, or side effects from a number of medications, most commonly those used to treat high cholesterol. Enlarged Liver In Children When enlarged liver appears in a child, the cause isn't always the same as for an adult. Some of the causes are the same (e.g. infectious hepatitis). Others are age-specific, such as Alagille's syndrome, which is a narrowing of the bile ducts occurring in some infants under a year old; Reye's syndrome, a potentially-fatal complication of the use of aspirin to treat childhood fevers (which is why doctors no longer prescribe aspirin for such illnesses, using a substitute analgesic and fever-reducer such as Tylenol instead); and overdoses of fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A. One common cause of liver disease in adults, alcohol abuse, is not likely to be a cause of liver disorders in children. As childhood obesity becomes increasingly a problem, so does resulting childhood liver disease. Treatment Of Enlarged Liver Enlarged liver is treated by treating the underlying liver disorder. For that reason, it's necessary to diagnose what is causing the enlarged liver before prescribing treatment, and also to determine what is causing the underlying liver disease. Diet, alcohol intake, exercise, body weight, and the presence or absence of other conditions such as alcoholism or diabetes or infection are all examined, and treatment prescribed accordingly. The treatment follows logically and rather obviously from determination of the cause. An alcohol abuser will need to stop drinking, an obese person to lose weight through a program of diet and exercise, diabetes will need to be treated with diet and exercise and (depending on the type of diabetes) sometimes with insulin. A liver transplant may be required if damage to the liver is very severe, usually as a result of the most serious liver conditions such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, the latter sometimes requiring chemotherapy or radiation therapy instead of a transplant. Enlarged liver, whatever the cause, should be taken seriously, as it always indicates damage to a vital organ that -- unlike a lung or a kidney -- has no redundancy in the body. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/enlarged-liver.html 19 Mar 2012 14:35:39 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Hepatosplenomegaly Hepatomegaly refers to a condition in which the liver is enlarged or swollen beyond its normal size (sometimes called simply "enlarged liver"). Splenomegaly refers to a similar condition afflicting the spleen, and so hepatosplenomegaly refers to a condition in which both the liver and the spleen are enlarged or swollen. Diagnosis is usually made during a clinical examination, especially through use of medical imaging technology such as an ultrasound, which can reveal the swelling in the liver and the spleen. Causes Of Hepatosplenomegaly If causes of both hepatomegaly and splenomegaly happen both to be present, the result can be that both organs are enlarged. However, the most common cause of hepatosplenomegaly is infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono. This disease is commonly diagnosed in teenage patients (especially age 15 to 17), is sometimes known as "kissing disease" because it can be transmitted through exchange of bodily fluids such as saliva, and in addition to hepatosplenomegaly can cause swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and high fever. Acute viral hepatitis can also cause hepatosplenomegaly. This is primarily a liver disease, an infection of the liver caused by any of the five variants of the hepatitis virus, with type A and B being the most common, but it can also cause swelling of the spleen. In addition to hepatosplenomegaly, other symptoms of acute viral hepatitis are loss of appetite, pain, swelling of the abdomen, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and of the whites of the eyes). Patients with either acute viral hepatitis or infectious mononucleosis usually make a full recovery within a few weeks, in which both the liver and the spleen return to normal size and function as well as other symptoms disappearing. In addition to these common causes, other infections and non-infectious diseases can produce hepatosplenomegaly. Among the possible causes are rubella, malaria, schistosomiasis, leukemia, lymphoma, pernicious anemia, sickle-cell anemia, and chronic liver disease. There is however a more serious group of diseases that can cause hepatosplenomegaly, called lysosomal storage disorders or LSDs. These are rare genetic diseases, some fifty in number, involving the absence or deficiency of enzymes necessary for the breakdown of macromolecules within the lysosomes of the cells. Lysosomes are small organelles bound by membranes that contain acid hydrolase enzymes and are important for breaking down waste materials in the cells. Sometimes the lysosome is referred to as the cell's recycling center. It breaks down wastes and other undesirable material into substances the cells can use. A failure to produce the necessary enzymes in sufficient quantity can be a very serious illness. Lysosomal storage disorders mostly strike children and are quite often fatal. As these are genetic disorders, they are difficult to treat. In addition to hepatosplenomegaly, LSDs can produce seizures, dementia, and sensory malfunction including blindness and deafness. Pulmonary and cardiac problems are a common complication, as is abnormal growth of the bones. Treatment Of Hepatosplenomegaly As with most symptoms of liver disease, treatment of enlarged liver and spleen consists of treatment of the underlying condition, or of the causes of the underlying condition. That means in this case treating the infection or non-infectious disease that is causing the symptom. Unlike many liver-related problems, alcohol abuse is not often associated with hepatosplenomegaly. However, if the condition is related to chronic liver disease, and if alcohol abuse is the culprit behind the manifestation of that disease, then cessation of drinking may be indicated. In most cases of mononucleosis, treatment consists of bed rest and avoidance of activity for a period of time, together with high fluid intake and symptomatic treatment with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Similar treatment is prescribed for acute infectious hepatitis along with abstinence from alcohol and fatty foods.http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/hepatosplenomegaly.html http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/hepatosplenomegaly.html 30 Apr 2012 12:03:00 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com NAFLD Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, is any manifestation of fatty liver disease resulting from something other than alcohol abuse. Fatty liver disease, also known as fatty liver or fatty liver disorder, is a relatively mild disorder of the liver characterized by the accumulation of large fat deposits. The process by which this occurs is called "steatosis," a term indicating that the body retains abnormal quantities of lipids within the cells, in the case of fatty liver disease especially in the liver. It's a chronic condition, is reversible, and in most cases it is not thought to be a serious threat to health, although in many cases its underlying causes are. Causes of fatty liver other than alcohol abuse (which is to say, causes of NAFLD) include diabetes, obesity, and hereditary or other factors affecting the metabolizing of fats. Symptoms Of NAFLD In most cases, fatty liver disease has no symptoms regardless of the cause. It occasionally happens that some patients suffer from chronic pain in the upper torso, near the liver, in conjunction with fatty liver disease. Other possible symptoms -- all of them rarely encountered -- are fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and nausea. On the rare occasions when symptoms do occur, it's a sign that something more serious may be involved than ordinary fatty liver disease; in that case, the underlying cause should be identified with care, as that rather than NAFLD itself may be causing the symptoms. That's especially true in the case of NAFLD, as alcohol abuse has been ruled out as the cause and what is causing the disease therefore becomes a question of some importance. Ordinarily, fatty liver disease is diagnosed from tests taken for the purpose of diagnosing some other problem. Blood tests can indicate elevated liver enzymes. Medical scanning technology such as ultrasound, MRI, and other methods can show fatty deposits in the liver visually. When fatty liver disease is found, the next step in diagnosing NAFLD is to rule out alcohol abuse as a cause, which initially means that the patient is asked about consumption of alcohol. If the patient drinks more than two drinks per day, a diagnosis of alcoholic fatty liver is normal. Lower alcohol consumption, or none, indicates NAFLD. Fatty liver disease is fatty liver disease for the most part regardless of the cause, but NAFLD requires different treatment options than alcoholic fatty liver disease for the simple reason that cutting out alcohol consumption will not suffice to arrest and reverse the disease when the patient isn't drinking to excess in the first place. Treatment Of NAFLD In almost all cases, fatty liver disease is not treated directly. Instead, the underlying cause is addressed. In the case of NAFLD, that means the underlying cause must be identified. It may be obesity, in which case the prescription is gradual weight loss. If it is diabetes, treatments appropriate to that disease (which is itself a good deal more serious than fatty liver) should also arrest the progress of fatty liver disease. If the problem is a hereditary factor, treatment becomes more difficult but some medications may assist with the metabolism of fats and reduce lipid retention. On rare occasions, NAFLD (and also alcoholic fatty liver disease) can lead to certain complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of cancer of the liver. It's believed that NAFLD can increase the likelihood of the occurrence of this cancer, but no hard figures are available as to the chance of that happening. Some ten percent of patience with alcoholic fatty liver develop hepatocellular carcinoma. It stands to reason that the same should probably be true of NAFLD patients, but that has not been demonstrated and is not certain, as alcohol has a number of unpleasant effects on the liver and the cancer could result specifically from that rather than from the resulting fatty liver disease. Some physicians believe that fatty liver disease increases the risk of heart disease; however, many of the causes of NAFLD, including obesity and diabetes, certainly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, so it's hard to separate this direct effect and the indirect effect of the fatty liver disorder. The same is true of alcoholic fatty liver disease, since alcohol abuse increases risk of cardiovascular illness as well. In any case, the treatment for fatty liver disease also addresses the underlying condition, which should improve the risk of heart disease. NAFLD is a symptom of other liver diseases that may be much more serious in their early stages, such as cirrhosis of the liver, which can lead to complete liver failure, the necessity of a transplant, and even coma and death. Fatty liver disease is therefore always a reason for some medical concern even though in itself it is seldom especially dangerous. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/nafld.html http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/nafld.html 30 Apr 2012 12:25:19 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Transaminitis "Tramsaminitis" is a term that is sometimes used to refer to elevated transaminases, a diagnostic result of certain blood tests for the concentration of liver enzymes in the blood. Elevated transaminases or transaminitis can be an indicator of various liver diseases, some relatively inoccuous and others severe and potentially life-threatening. Transaminitis is another word, then, for elevated liver enzymes or elevated transaminases. The most common liver enzymes to be found elevated are aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Most of the time when a disease of the liver is present, ALT will be more elevated than AST. However, the reverse is often true when the liver disease is a result of alcohol abuse or alcoholism, which is one of the more common causes of liver disorders. The liver produces literally thousands of different enzymes to do the complex tasks that it undertakes in keeping the body alive and healthy, and any of these may be elevated. However, elevation of those two transaminases are the most common indicators of problems. Causes of Transaminitis Transaminitis can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Some of these constitute diseases of the liver. Others do not. Besides liver diseases, transaminitis can result from elevated triglicerides, which is a condition often found with high cholesterol levels; also many medications, including drugs to lower cholesterol levels, some antibiotics, and drugs used to treat seizure disorders, can cause transaminitis. Some herbal supplements can affect transaminase concentrations as well. Obviously, these are not disorders of the liver. However, transaminitis is always a cause for concern, and should be the occasion for follow-up diagnostic procedures to determine the presence, type, and severity of possible liver conditions. Transaminitis Differential Diagnosis "Differential diagnosis" refers to the ratio of AST to ALT in the blood resulting from a test for both of these transaminases, along with a test for alkaline phosphatase (ALP). It's worth noting here that none of these transaminase tests is a direct indicator of liver function; the liver function tests properly so called look for other substances. However, AST, ALT, and ALP can be indicators of various problems with the liver, and the differences between levels of these substances can differentiate between alcohol-related problems, viral hepatitis, and certain other liver diseases. Treatment of Transaminitis As transaminitis is not a "disease" in itself, it is not treated directly. Rather, it is used as an indicator of possible liver disorders, and with further diagnosis to confirm a disease of the liver and identify the type and cause or causes of the disease, treatment can be prescribed. If the problem results from alcohol abuse, the patient may be advised to stop drinking; if obesity is the culprit, a program of gradual weight loss is obviously indicated. Viral hepatitis calls for treatments appropriate to that disease, the same is true of cancer of the liver, and so on. A particular problem arises when the cause is not a liver disease but a medication. To stop the medication would then bring transaminases into balance most likely, but what else would it do? Medications are prescribed for a reason. Many questions must be answered when transaminitis is the result of prescription drugs. Is the medication causing actual damage to the liver? Is the condition for which the medication is prescribed sufficiently serious that it is worth the risk of liver damage? Also, are there good alternatives to the medication being used that would not cause the same problems? Transaminitis And Statins A particularly common non-liver-disease cause of transaminitis is the use of drugs in the statin family for treatment of high cholesterol levels. These drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, a side effect sometimes seen with them is the elevation of transaminase levels, particularly AST and ALT. Concern has arisen among physicians that the drugs are causing damage to the liver, and that this damage results in the elevated transaminases. However, clinical occurrence of significant injury to the liver resulting from the use of statins to treat high cholesterol is very rare, and most of the time elevated transaminases are not associated with such damage. As a result, the general medical consensus at this time is in favor of aggresive treatment of low-density cholesterol (LDL) levels using statins, and that moderate elevation of transaminases is not a contraindication for the medication. http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/transaminitis.html http://cirrhosisoftheliver.us/transaminitis.html 30 Apr 2012 14:24:49 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com