Liver Disease: What is liver disease, its function, causes, and symptoms?

Category: Liver Hospital

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Liver Disease: What is liver disease, its function, causes, and symptoms?

  • May 19, 2021

  • 8762 Views

Overview

The liver plays an imperative role in carrying out various bodily functions from blood clotting and protein production to sugar & iron metabolism. Considering the given situation, it is important to take proper care of your liver and overall health. COVID-19 patients have higher chances of getting diagnosed with liver disease or liver damage. So, it is better to be cautious as it will help to take control over the situation at the right time.

The function of the Liver

The liver makes bile which is the fluid that contains other substances, chemicals, water, and bile acids. The liver is like a power-house of performing various vital functions in the body which are:

  • Bild production is necessary for food digestion.
  • Store extra glucose or sugar as glycogen which is then converted into glucose when the body needs energy.
  • Production of amino acids along with the ones which are necessary to fight infection.
  • Production of blood clotting factors
  • Production and storage of iron which is helpful in red blood cell production.
  • Medications are metabolized into the necessary ingredients in the body.

What is liver disease?

Liver disease is the disturbance of liver function which leads to illness. The liver carries out imperative functions in the body and if it is affected the body is affected to a great extent. In medical terms, it is also known as hepatic disease. The liver is the largest solid organ and it carries out various functions. The portal vein delivers chemicals and proteins which are necessary to produce the cholesterol, protein, and glycogen to carry out the normal functioning of the body.

Causes of Liver Disease

There are different conditions and diseases which can affect the liver through certain drug consumption like acetaminophen and its combination with other medications like Norco & Vicodin. Other causes of liver disease include:

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Cirrhosis
  • Statins
  • Hepatitis A, B, C, E, and D
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Iron Overload

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Disease

Signs and symptoms are linked with liver disease and these may vary depending on what exactly is the issue. Some of the major signs and symptoms of liver disease are mentioned below:

  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain and swelling
  • Itchy skin
  • Dark urine color
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Pale stool color
  • Bloody stool
  • Tar-colored stool
  • Swelling in the ankles and legs
  • Loss of appetite
  • Easy bruising

When should you consult the medical expert for liver disease?

In most cases, liver disease is an onset process and you are not able to notice the specific symptoms which tell you that you need to get medical attention. Although, the symptoms like weight loss, weakness, and fatigue are not the reason to seek medical treatment on an emergency basis.

But, if you notice yellow skin or have jaundice then make sure to consult the doctor right away. Along with that these symptoms also need medical assistance on a prompt basis like:

  • Persistent fever
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain

It is important to not neglect the situation at any cost as the problem can get worse in the future. Emergency and medical evaluation on an urgent basis are necessary to ensure liver health is right.

Schedule an appointment, without any delay

If you are suspected to have liver disease or diagnosed with one, then schedule your initial consultation with us. Our experienced liver doctor will provide you a customized treatment approach that helps to improve your condition and you can live a better life.

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How does COVID-19 affect the liver? How can we protect ourselves from this?

  • May 18, 2021

  • 4105 Views

If any person is suffering from any kind of liver condition, then he is likely to catch the Corona Virus. If you do not have any liver problem and you are tested for Covid, then there are chances that your liver may catch the infection as covid affects liver.

 

Let’s discuss some of the QNA which are most customarily asked.

 

Which kind of patients are advised to take extra protection measures into account?

The patients who have recently undergone liver transplant surgery are advised not to step out of their house and even maintain some distance from their family members as well.

  • The patients who do have any kind of chronic liver diseases.
  • The patients who may have the following live problems:
    • Liver cirrhosis
    • Ascites
    • Hepatic encephalopathy
    • Hepatocellular carcinoma
    • Variceal bleed
    • Synthetic liver dysfunction

 

What if the patients are waiting for the liver transplant? What should they do in this situation?

COVID is an extremely difficult time for all of us. The liver transplant specialist will take so many factors into account before proceeding with the liver transplant surgery. The doctors will discuss all the possible risks and complications with the patients to make sure that the right decision is being taken. In most cases, the doctors may suggest delaying the transplant, if it is not deteriorating the health of the patient.

 

What if the patient is worried about work?

If the patient is worried about work, then, first of all, you should opt up for doing work from home. If that is not possible, then in that situation you should make sure that your employer has taken necessary precautions to make the workplace covid secure. Besides, you should not only remain dependent on the measures taken by the employer, rather you should be taking precautions in the account as none other than you can save you from this COVID crisis.

 

How will the hospital staff carry out the consultation?

The hospital staff will try to carry out the consultation in different ways like through the audio or video class. The doctor will not call you to the hospital for the consultation unless it is urgent. The cancer patients will be treated as the priority. But their attendants may not be allowed to stay in the hospital for longer hours.

 

How can we protect ourselves from the deadly virus?

COVID is a sum of all the major categories of the viruses that may include the following:

  • Cold
  • Flu
  • Serious Respiratory illness
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Additional Necessary Measures

But if we follow the subsequent measures, then we can surely protect ourselves from the virus:

  • First of all, do not leave home unless it is very necessary.
  • Do not use any item brought from outside unless you have sanitised it properly.
  • Do not maintain close contact with the people who are not well.
  • Wash your hands often, it will cut down the risk of you getting affected by the virus.
  • Do not order food from outside. But if it is required, then make sure you are microwaving it before using it.