How can you control the symptoms of liver damage?

The liver is an integral part of a human body. It is located just under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen. The liver helps in digestion and removes toxins from the body. It filters out all the blood coming out of the digestive tract before it goes to the rest of the body. It also makes proteins that are significant for blood clotting as well as other functions.

What are the reasons for liver malfunction?

• Infection: Often virus and parasites affect the liver and cause its inflammation. These viruses spread through semen or blood, through contaminated water and food. They can also affect you if you are in close contact with a person who is infected. Some of the most common hepatitis viruses are- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C.
• Autoimmune disease- There are certain diseases that affect the system that can also affect the liver such as Primary biliary cirrhosis, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, and Autoimmune hepatitis.
• Genetics- Sometimes an abnormal gene that is inherited from either or both the parents can cause some substances to build up in the liver that could damage it such as Oxalosis, Wilson’s disease, Hemochromatosis, Hyperoxaluria, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
• Cancer- Cancer to is a cause for liver damage and can lead to liver cancer, bile duct cancer, and liver adenoma.
• Excessive alcohol intake can also induce liver damage.
• Fat accumulating in the liver can result in liver malfunction.

What are the various liver damage- symptoms?

The 10 signs of liver damage include:

• Skin and eyes appear yellowish, which is a sign of jaundice
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Itchy skin
• Dark urine color
• Swollen legs and ankles
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pale colored stool, or bloody stool
• Loss of appetite
• A tendency to get bruises easily

How to control the symptoms of liver damage?

Once you know the signs of liver damage you can keep a lookout for it and in fact prevent it by taking the following precautions:

• Drink alcohol moderately- For adults it is recommended that you drink no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
• Avoid drugs- It is risky to take illicit intravenous drugs. Also, never share needles being used to inject drugs.
• Be picky about the cleanliness and hygiene when getting body piercing done.
• Use a condom while having sex.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
• Avoid contact with people who have hepatitis as it is contagious. It can spread through accidental needle pricks or if the blood or body fluids have not be washed properly.
• Use gloves while using any toxic liquid like insecticides.
• Maintain your weight as obesity can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How do you diagnose a liver disease?

A doctor is likely to check for any of the liver damage symptoms and also look at the person’s health history, after which they will to do a physical examination. Based on the results he/she might suggest the following:

• Blood Tests- Liver function tests are done to find out the working of the liver. They are a group of blood tests that look for specific liver and genetic issues.
• Imaging tests- The patient might have to undergo a CT scan, ultrasound, or an MRI to know the extent of liver damage.
• Tissue analysis- A tissue from the liver is removed to diagnose the extent and also signs of liver damage.

What is the cure?

The treatment for a liver disease would depend on its diagnosis.

• Some mild liver problems can be treated simply by altering lifestyle like losing weight or stopping alcohol intake. However, other grave issues might need medical intervention.
• Alternate treatments- Some studies show that Chinese herbal medicine treatments work well in curing hepatitis B.
• Liver transplant- If the liver damage is irrecoverable then a transplant is required, wherein the patient’s liver is fully or partially replaced with the liver of a healthy person.

You must see a doctor if your symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time and you experience one or more of the above mentioned symptoms.