After Hepatomegaly Can You Drink Again
Enlarged Liver
An enlarged liver is swollen beyond its normal size. Possible causes include cancer and excessive alcohol consumption. Symptoms, when they appear, include jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and pain in the upper belly. Treatment depends on what is causing the liver enlargement.
Overview
What is an enlarged liver?
The liver is an essential organ in many of the body's functions. An enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) is bloated beyond its normal size for any reason.
An enlarged liver is a symptom of an underlying trouble, only is not a disease itself. An enlarged liver may occur along with other symptoms, depending on the underlying disease that is causing information technology.
Symptoms and Causes
What causes an enlarged liver?
Several diseases or conditions tin can crusade the liver to overstate. For some people, an enlarged liver results from consuming also many toxins, including alcohol, medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or supplements. Long-term exposure to high doses of toxic substances (including alcohol), medications or supplements can cause cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.
Other diseases and medical conditions that can cause the liver to overstate include:
- Cancers, including liver cancer or cancer from other organs metastasizing (spreading) to the liver, especially colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer
- Benign (non-cancerous) liver tumors
- Blood backflow from the centre as a result of congestive middle failure or other diseases affecting the valves of the heart
- Budd-Chiari syndrome (blood clots in the blood vessels that bleed the liver)
- Recurrent alcohol use causing inflammation of the liver
- Excess fat in the liver, usually as a result of obesity, booze use or diabetes
- Genetic (inherited) disorders that cause fatty or sugary substances to build up in the liver, such as Gaucher disease and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Polycystic liver disease (several beneficial cysts in the liver)
- Acute fat liver of pregnancy (abnormal fat accumulation in the liver during pregnancy)
What are the symptoms of an enlarged liver?
An enlarged liver often does not cause whatever symptoms. Doctors often observe it when treating a patient for some other, unrelated condition.
An enlarged liver may occur along with other symptoms, especially if the underlying cause is a principal liver disease. These symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the upper heart or upper right side of the abdomen
- Filling up quickly later on meals
If you have whatever of these symptoms, peculiarly if they persist, contact your medico.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is an enlarged liver diagnosed?
A doctor can diagnose an enlarged liver with a concrete examination and imaging tests, such as such as CT scan, ultrasound or MRI. The doctor volition likely need to order some blood tests to decide what is causing the liver enlargement. In some cases, a liver biopsy (a pocket-sized sample of the liver to be examined under the microscope) might be needed.
Direction and Treatment
How is an enlarged liver treated?
Treatment for an enlarged liver depends on what is causing it. Lifestyle changes tin can assistance when the liver enlargement is a result of fatty accumulation in the liver or consuming booze. Lifestyle changes include:
- Losing weight
- Cutting dorsum or eliminating booze
- Eating a healthy diet
- Increasing exercise and physical activity
Treatment for other causes of liver enlargement depends on the underlying disease that caused it.
Living With
When should I call the dr. about symptoms of an enlarged liver?
If yous have symptoms that may indicate an enlarged liver, such equally pain in the upper abdomen, persistent nausea and airsickness, or jaundice, contact your doctor.
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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17937-enlarged-liver