Archive for the ‘Liver Disease’ Category

The only treatment for alcoholic cirrhosis is to stop drinking. Individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis are typically malnourished and require increased calories and rigorous nutritional support, which can improve survival rates. Treatments for Chronic Hepatitis C Interferons Alone and in Combination with Ribavirin. Pegylated (PEG) interferon combined with ribavirin (a nucleoside analogue) is now the gold standard ... Full story

There's no specific test for Reye's syndrome. Instead, screening for Reye's syndrome usually begins with blood and urine tests. Sometimes more invasive diagnostic tests are needed to evaluate other possible causes of liver problems and investigate any neurological abnormalities. For example: Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). A spinal tap can help the doctor identify or rule out other diseases with similar signs and symptoms, such as ... Full story

There are many different types of liver disease. But no matter what type you have, the damage to your liver is likely to progress in a similar way. Whether your liver is infected with a virus, injured by chemicals, or under attack from your own immune system, the basic danger is the same – that your liver will become so damaged that it can no longer ... Full story

A physical examination may reveal the following in a patient with cirrhosis: 1)  The cirrhotic liver is firm and often enlarged. The liver may feel rock-hard. (In advanced stages of cirrhosis, the liver may become small and shriveled.) 2)  The left side can often be felt by the doctor when pressing on the abdomen. If the abdomen is swollen, the doctor will check for ascites by tapping the ... Full story

Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare disease characterized by a biliary obstruction of unknown origin that presents in the neonatal period. It is the most important surgical cause of cholestatic jaundice in this age-group. The common histopathological picture is one of inflammatory damage to the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts with sclerosis and narrowing or even obliteration of the biliary tree. Untreated, this condition leads ... Full story

Wilson disease is an inherited condition that causes the body to retain excess copper. The liver of a person who has Wilson's disease does not release copper into bile as it should. As the copper builds up in the liver, it begins to damage the organ. After enough damage, the liver releases the copper directly into the bloodstream, which carries the copper throughout the body. The ... Full story

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, or HBV. Most hepatitis B infections are short-term, or acute, and do not cause lasting health problems. In 5% of adult cases, however, hepatitis B becomes a long-term (chronic) condition. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to more serious liver diseases, including cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. 15 to 25% of chronically infected persons ... Full story

Liver diseases are damaged the function of hapetocytes, it may causes hepatocellular necrosis, fibrosis, and regeneration with nodule formation. Chronic liver disease in which liver damage slowly by process and persisting over long time.It means it act as slow poison for healthy human body. It is characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrous scar tissue as well as regenerative nodules (lumps that occurs as a ... Full story

Liver disease is a broad term describing any single number of diseases affecting the liver. Many are accompanied by jaundice caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. The bilirubin results from the breakup of the hemoglobin of dead red blood cells; normally, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood and excretes it through bile.... Full story

Liver transplantation may be indicated for the following: Patients who have developed life-threatening cirrhosis and who have a life expectancy of more than 12 years. Patients with liver cancer that has not spread beyond the liver. Survival rates after transplantation are similar among those who have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or alcoholic liver disease. Current 5-year survival rates after liver transplantation are between 60 - 80%. ... Full story