liver diseases Archives - Healthhype

Liver Cirrhosis Causes, Early and Late Signs and Symptoms

Dr. Chris — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:27:39 +0000

The liver is a versatile organ that metabolizes nutrients, wastes, toxins, drugs and other substances. It has various secondary roles including acting as a reservoir for blood. The liver has a complex architecture involving lobules containing hepatocytes (liver cells) and weighs about 1.6 kg (2.5% of the average adult body weight). Blood is received via the portal vein and hepatic artery, the former which brings blood to the liver to be processed and the latter nourishes the liver tissue with oxygen and nutrients. Waste products that are not passed out into the blood to be eventually be filtered by the kidneys make up bile which is then dumped in the gut during digestion and expelled in the fecal matter. What is liver cirrhosis? Cirrhosis of the liver (hepatic cirrhosis) is fibrosis of the liver tissue with abnormal nodule formation that structurally deforms the liver. It is the end stage of chronic liver disease and a common cause of death worldwide. In countries like the United States, liver cirrhosis is among the top 15 causes of death and the most common cause of liver-related death. Contrary to popular belief, liver cirrhosis does not only occur as a consequence of alcohol abuse [...]

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High GGT Levels, Abnormal Liver Enzyme Test, No Alcohol

Dr. Chris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:04:51 +0000

HammondN Asked : I went for number of blood tests for insurance purposes recently and everything was normal except my liver enzyme. The insurance company informed me that I was rejected due to an elevated GGT. From what I understand this could be linked to alcohol consumption and liver disease but I no longer drink alcohol and I do not use painkillers. I was told that I should see a doctor who can do complete test and motivate as to why I am a suitable candidate or explain these elevated readings. While I do not consume alcohol, I have used a number of herbal tinctures which are in an alcohol form that have been prescribed by a naturopath. I am not sure if this could have caused the rise and if so, how long should I wait before seeing a doctor so that my liver enzymes will give a normal reading? What types of liver disease could cause this high GGT levels? Any response by the Health Hype team does not constitute a medical consultation and the advice should be viewed purely as a guide. Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your current treatment program. The [...]

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What is the Liver? Anatomy, Functions, Metabolism, Pictures

Dr. Chris — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:45:59 +0000

What is the liver? The liver is the largest organ in the body and plays integral roles in the metabolism of foods and toxins, storage of nutrients and the production of a number of compounds which influence many physiological processes in the body. The smallest functional unit of the liver is known as a lobule and about 50,000 to 100,000 of these lobules collectively form the liver. These lobules are a collection of liver cells (hepatocytes) which are separated from each other by large capillary spaces called sinusoids. This structure ensures that each liver cell has maximum exposure to blood to adequately conduct its functions. Anatomy of the Liver Position of the Liver The liver is located within the abdominal cavity, with most of it lying in the right upper abdominal quadrant (RUQ). When lying flat, it sits almost entirely behind the ribcage and so that the top part of the liver is just a few centimeters away from the nipple. Standing up erect or breathing in deeply shifts the liver lower into the abdominal cavity. The liver crosses the midline and extends to the left upper abdominal quadrant (LUQ). Surfaces of the Liver The liver has a round convex [...]

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6 Warning Signs Of An Unhealthy Liver

Dr. Chris — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 22:46:11 +0000

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 lost, a whole liver will ‘grow’ back naturally. Despite its versatility and regenerative capabilities, the liver is not entirely immune to disease and dysfunction. Although it can continue to function effectively despite being diseased, there is a point where the liver can no longer contend with its responsibilities. It is often at this stage that the first signs and symptoms of a liver disturbance becomes evident. In other words you may not know that your liver is ‘unhealthy’ until it reaches a serious point. A liver function test (LFT) is one way of checking the health of your liver, as well as imaging techniques such as an ultrasound or MRI even if you have no symptoms. However, routine liver screening is not common. What does the liver do? The liver’s functions are vast. When the health [...]

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