The sound of gallstones as a disease does not really elicit much concern in most of us. It is known to be painful. It may require surgery. But most of us feel that it is rarely associated with problems. This is incorrect. Gallstones can be very serious. It can lead to life-threatening complications. It can even increase >> Read More ...
It may not be the most well known disease, but hepatitis is a significant health problem the world over. There are still widespread misconceptions about the disease, like it is always due to a viral infection. However, a better understanding of all types of hepatitis is one of the most important steps in reducing the >> Read More ...
Your liver is one of the most versatile organs in your body. It is responsible for a number of different processes in the body that are essential for life. The liver is the only organ in the human body that is capable of natural regeneration if a portion of the liver is lost. Even if as much as 25% of the liver tissue is >> Read More ...
Some 20 million American adults have gallstones and gallstone complications account for as many as 10,000 deaths per year. It is by no means a rare or insignificant disorder but since most people with gallstones are asymptomatic (without symptoms), gallstones often does not get the same attention as other common medical >> Read More ...
Definition and Meaning of PSC Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a condition where the bile ducts are diseased and become thick, hard and narrow. This prevents the flow of bile through the ducts. Although there are many diseases that can damage the bile duct (secondary cholangitis), in primary sclerosing cholangitis >> Read More ...
What are Biliary Strictures? A biliary stricture is any narrowing of the bile duct, the tube that carries bile between the liver, gallbladder and duodenum of the small intestine. A minor narrowing does not significantly impede bile movement and a person may be asymptomatic. It is only with a severe degree of obstruction or >> Read More ...
Definition Acalculous cholecystitis is the term for inflammation of the gallbladder that is not due to the presence of gallstones. Most cases of acute cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder) occurs due to gallbladder stones (within the gallbladder) or biliary stones (lodged in the bile duct). In these cases it is referred to >> Read More ...
Portal Hypertension Definition Portal hypertension is the medical term for elevated blood pressure with the major vein of the liver, the hepatic portal vein. Although it is most commonly caused by liver cirrhosis, it can be due to a number of other causes that may not even involve the liver. Therefore portal hypertension >> Read More ...
What is Wilson’s disease? Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder that hampers the body’s ability to bind and transport copper thereby leading to accumulation of copper in the body. Over time copper deposition occurs in various different organs and tissues. Copper in its free form is toxic and damages the >> Read More ...
What is gallbladder mucocele? A gallbladder mucocele is a condition where the gallbladder is stretched due to the accumulation of mucus or clear watery fluid in the hollow organ. It is also known as hydrops. This condition should not be confused with a gallbladder empyema where the gallbladder is filled with pus. In a >> Read More ...
