Liver Enlargement Causes and Symptoms and Treatment of Enlarged Liver

Liver Enlargement Causes and Symptoms and Treatment of Enlarged Liver

The liver is the largest and most massive internal organ of the human body. The mass of a healthy human liver is approximately 1.2-1.5kg (approximately 2.5-3.0lbs). The liver's mass comprises one-fortieth to one-fiftieth of an adult's total weight and one-eighteenth of the body's weight during infancy. Located in the upper-right part of the abdomen behind the ribs, the liver is dark red-brown organ with a soft, spongy texture that is nearly 15cm (6in) thick and consists of two main overlapping lobes (right and left).

Read more on Home Remedies for Liver Enlargement and Home Remedies for Liver Care and also visit on Liver Care Tips

The liver's size is a clue as to how important its role is in fulfilling the body's metabolic needs and maintaining daily homeostasis. The liver performs more than 500 different functions in the body. As part of the digestive system, the liver aids the body in fat digestion, manufactures and secretes bile, regulates the levels of chemicals in the blood, synthesizes proteins, filters waste products from the bloodstream, and receives nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract and either stores or transforms these nutrients into chemicals that are used elsewhere in the body.

Signs and Symptoms

An enlarged liver usually causes no symptoms, and since the liver does not contain any nerves, pain does not emanate from the liver itself. However, if the enlargement is extreme, it may cause abdominal discomfort (by pressing against other organs and nerves) or a feeling of fullness. If the enlargement occurs quickly, the liver may be tender to the touch. When performing a physical examination, a doctor can usually estimate the size of the liver by feeling whether it extends below the level of the ribs.

Read more on http://www.herbalcureindia.com

Causes of Enlarged Liver

The most common cause of enlarged liver is accumulation of fat in the liver. Collection of fat in the liver can a result of obesity and diabetes. This problem has striking similarity with alcoholic hepatitis, but it has been found that such patients do not drink alcohol. Hence, it is known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. However, it is not at all necessary that every overweight person will develop enlarged liver problems. Other causes of enlarged liver are viral infection like hepatitis A, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, iron deposition in liver, heavy consumption of alcohol. Serious ailments like diabetes, tuberculosis, liver cancer, congestive heart failure or leukemia can be some other causes of enlarged liver. Inadequate diet and side effects of some drugs are other factors that can lead to enlarged liver.

Treatment of Enlarged Liver

The doctor can estimate the approximate size of the liver by touching it. It would also reveal if any lumps have formed inside it. X-ray, CT scan and ultra sound are done to confirm in these cases. If required, blood tests and biopsy of liver is also conducted. Treatment of enlarged liver can start only after the identification of the exact cause behind the problem. A patient who is suffering from hepatitis, is given medication to bring down the inflammation. In case it is a nonalcoholic fatty liver problem and it is due to obesity, the patient needs to opt for weight loss treatments by means of regular exercises. In the case of diabetic patients, the blood sugar and cholesterol needs to be controlled. For liver cancer and leukemia, the treatment is chemotherapy and radiation. Anyone who has developed enlarged liver due to alcoholism, should stop intake of alcohol immediately or else it could be fatal.

POST COMMENT

Low blood pressure Causes and Symptoms and Useful Low blood pressure treatments Menopause Sleep Problem Causes and Symptoms and Treatment of Menopause Sleep Problem Erectile dysfunction Causes and Symptoms and Tips to Cure Erectile Dysfunction and Treatments Guide to Different Kinds of Healthcare Softwares Do Healthy Dessert Recipes Exist Or Should I Never Eat Sweets Again? Electronic Cigarette Is Making it Easy For Us To quit Smoking Healthy Holiday at a Hotel Hyde Park Lead A Healthy Life With Dr Millers HOly Tea Free The Holy Grail Body Transformation System Pdf Prevent Feet From Sweating Symptoms Of Indigestion Loosen Your Watch Band to Prevent Losing Circulation Study Reveals How Asbestos Fibers React Chemically in Human Body