Liver disease

Under the umbrella term Liver disease various diseases of the liver are grouped together. Often these are caused by toxins that the organ is unable to break down. Once damage has been caused by a liver disease, it may not be possible to undo it.

What are liver diseases?

The term Liver disease refers to all diseases that can occur in connection with the liver. The organ is significantly involved in the metabolism in the human body and is responsible, among other things, for the breakdown of toxins.

Excessive intake of toxins, for example from alcohol or viruses, can cause the liver to become ill and no longer or only partially fulfill its important tasks. If the diseases and thus the functional impairment progress further, irreparable damage and / or life-threatening conditions can occur.

Since liver diseases do not express themselves through specific symptoms and the organ itself has no nerves, i. H. can also not cause pain, they are often noticed quite late. Statistics say that around 5 million Germans suffer from liver disease.

causes

Liver disease can have very different causes. Often it is an excessive consumption of stimulants such as alcohol or too fatty foods, which overwhelm the liver and thus promote the development of sometimes serious diseases.

Overeating in general and the resulting obesity can also contribute to the development of liver disease. Long-term use of certain medications can also stress the liver and cause illnesses. Liver diseases are not always caused by the individual lifestyle.

Viral infections such as the hepatitis virus in different versions are the cause of many liver diseases. Metabolic or autoimmune diseases such as fatty liver or autoimmune hepatitis can also cause or be associated with diseases of the liver, as can cancer of the organ itself.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Symptoms of liver disease are not always clear. Often only several signs allow a suspicion of this organic disease. In addition, in many cases complaints only appear after a long period of illness. Recognizable effects of fatty liver, cirrhosis of the liver (shrunken liver) or hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) can occur in different versions.

This also applies to liver cancer. It also happens that the detection of liver disease is not made based on the lack of signs. This is mainly due to the fact that there are no nerve fibers in the tissue of a liver that are equipped with a guide function for pain. Inflammation is therefore difficult to detect. A basic distinction is made between specific and unspecific symptoms.

The following unspecific signs may appear, which individually or in combination serve as an indication of liver disease: poor performance, lack of drive, tiredness and intolerance to alcohol and / or fat. Frequent feeling of fullness after eating, diarrhea, gas and loss of appetite and excessive sweating.

Typical symptoms of liver disease occur predominantly when the disease is already well advanced. It also plays a role how severely the liver is currently affected. A specific symptom of liver damage is a yellowish skin color, which also appears in the conjunctiva of the eyes.

This phenomenon is known colloquially as jaundice. Dyes from the bile acid that gets into the blood cause the yellow color. Changes in color can therefore also be detected in the urine and feces of people affected by severe liver damage.

Diagnosis & course

Is there any suspicion of a Liver disease, a detailed discussion should take place with the patient first. Their living conditions and medical history are just as important in the diagnosis as a comprehensive blood test.

The latter can show increased liver values, which indicate a disease and / or malfunction of the organ. In addition, an ultrasound examination of the liver itself is useful to determine whether it is enlarged or has other changes. In case of doubt, a tissue sample can be taken that provides more detailed information about the condition of the organ.

If liver diseases remain untreated, it can lead, among other things, to complete failure of the organ. Liver cirrhosis often forms, especially as a result of increased alcohol consumption. This end stage of numerous diseases leads to slow poisoning of the body, which can end in a comatose state.

Typical & common liver diseases

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Fatty liver
• hepatitis
• Liver failure

Complications

Fatty liver can become inflamed; if left untreated, this acute hepatitis turns into a chronic form in many cases. This also increases the risk of developing liver cirrhosis (shrunken liver) or liver cancer. As a complication of liver cirrhosis, varicose veins often develop in the esophagus, which can break open and cause profuse bleeding.

Water often accumulates in the abdomen (ascites), and brain function can also be impaired (hepatic encephalopathy). If cirrhosis of the liver is detected early, secondary diseases can in many cases be avoided or their occurrence delayed. Without therapy, the disease leads to liver failure.

Jaundice, severe weight loss, nausea and upper abdominal pain show up in the advanced stages of liver cancer. If the organ can no longer adequately fulfill its detoxification function, toxins get into the brain and damage the brain cells, which becomes noticeable through disturbances of consciousness and personality changes. In the worst case, the insidious poisoning of the body leads to hepatic coma or kidney failure.

Another complication of liver cancer can metastasize to other organs or the skeletal system.Some autoimmune liver diseases are associated with inflammation of the biliary tract, which can lead to bile duct cancer. Surgical removal of part of the damaged liver carries the risk of bleeding or infection. Liver transplantation can lead to rejection reactions, thrombosis or narrowing of the bile ducts.

When should you go to the doctor?

Liver diseases often go unnoticed in the early stages because they trigger no or only very unspecific symptoms: Anyone who suffers from chronic fatigue and a significant drop in performance should therefore also think about a liver disease and consult a doctor to clarify the liver values. In the case of unwanted weight loss, which is often associated with nausea and loss of appetite, a medical examination is also recommended.

Headache, itching, a tendency to bruise, intolerance to fatty foods and a feeling of pressure in the right upper abdomen can also indicate a liver disease: a visit to the doctor should not be postponed any longer, especially if several of the symptoms mentioned occur in combination. Serious alarm signs are yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and a build-up of water in the abdomen (ascites) - in this case, advanced liver damage must be assumed, which requires immediate medical treatment.

The first point of contact is usually your family doctor, who can rule out or confirm a liver dysfunction based on liver-specific laboratory values. If there is justified suspicion of liver disease, further examinations by a specialist such as sonography, computed tomography or a liver biopsy are necessary. Even without symptoms, people who are overweight, who often consume large amounts of alcohol or who come into contact with harmful substances, should have their liver values ​​checked regularly.

Treatment & Therapy

Treating a Liver disease depends on the actual cause of the discomfort. There is no "panacea" for all liver diseases; what is useful in one disease can cause great harm in another.

Viral diseases such as hepatitis are treated with antiviral drugs. In addition, the immune system is strengthened so that it can counteract the viruses. If an autoimmune disease is the cause of the liver problems, the immune system must be suppressed with the help of suitable drugs (immunosuppressants). In this way, the excessive reaction of the body is prevented, which can also cure or at least alleviate the respective liver disease.

Liver diseases caused by alcohol consumption require a strict renunciation of the pleasure poison. Consistent withdrawal is often the only way to avoid further damage to the organ. Weight reduction and a change in eating habits are advisable due to obesity and / or the excessive consumption of fatty foods.

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Outlook & forecast

The prognosis for liver diseases must be made individually. It depends on the disease, the general health of the patient and the options for treatment. In the case of fatty liver, the person affected can make a significant contribution to improvement or freedom from symptoms by changing their lifestyle. In the case of cirrhosis of the liver, depending on the cause, there is also the possibility of achieving relief through a change in lifestyle. Hepatitis can be treated well with current medical treatment methods.

Although the disease poses a challenge for the organism to cope with, in most cases there is a good chance of recovery due to the advanced treatment options. If there is irreparable damage to the tissue, many patients can be cured by transplanting the organ. A donor organ is often the last resort to improve health.

There are numerous risks associated with transplantation. The surgical procedure is complex and can cause complications. In addition, when making a prognosis, it must be awaited whether the donor organ will be accepted by the organism. In the case of cancer, the stage at which the diagnosis is made is decisive for the further course of the disease. Cancer therapy is associated with numerous side effects and risks. The quality of life is severely impaired. Still, it can lead to a cure in coping with liver cancer.

prevention

Some Liver disease can be prevented to a certain extent through a healthy lifestyle and the moderate consumption of stimulants and fatty foods. Some forms of hepatitis result from poor hygiene or direct contact with infected people. Particularly detailed information can help to avoid further infections and spread of the infectious disease. Regular check-ups with a doctor are advisable in order to recognize and treat possible liver diseases in good time.

Aftercare

Follow-up care for liver diseases is highly dependent on the respective clinical picture. It is discussed with the family doctor, the internist, and if necessary with an oncologist or radiologist. Checking that a treated finding does not flare up again or worsen is an essential part of follow-up care. The more serious the finding, the closer the follow-up examinations are usually designed.

However, all liver diseases have something in common when it comes to follow-up care. The liver should be optimally spared as part of a healthy lifestyle. This includes in particular that no alcohol is drunk. Drugs and dispensable medications are also broken down by the liver and are generally not recommended in connection with aftercare. Fatty foods often have an unfavorable effect on the liver and also on the bile. Smoking is also always a risk factor for the development of internal diseases and should therefore also be avoided.

Jaundice is a sign of liver dysfunction. As part of the follow-up care, attention should therefore be paid to yellowing of the skin or eyes, as well as nausea or digestive disorders. If the liver disease is related to another disease (for example metastases from cancer), the causal disease must of course be the focus of follow-up care.

If a change in diet is prescribed because of chronic liver disease, nutritional advice can help. What you have learned can then be put into practice at home.

You can do that yourself

With all liver diseases it is extremely important to avoid substances that are harmful to the liver as much as possible. It is best to refrain from alcohol completely; medication may only be taken after consulting the attending physician.

If there is an addiction, withdrawal therapy is recommended. High-fat food also puts a strain on the liver; a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain products, lean meat and fish is gentler. Liver cirrhosis is often associated with a protein deficiency, which requires a special diet adapted to the severity.

In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, numerous home remedies can stimulate the liver. Artichoke leaves, which can be consumed as vegetables or drunk as juice or tea, have proven particularly useful. Milk thistle, drunk two to three times a day as an infusion, supports the formation of new liver cells, dandelion as a tea or in a salad promotes the flow of bile and thus relieves the liver. Sage, yarrow, chicory, gentian and wormwood can be used as other medicinal herbs to prepare tea - however, not all of these medicinal plants are suitable for use in all types of liver diseases. A doctor should therefore be consulted before self-treatment. Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise, but also rest and relaxation breaks, promote the healing process in liver diseases.