The liver is a remarkable organ, plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health. From detoxifying our bodies to aiding digestion, its functions are indispensable. However, like any other organ, the liver is susceptible to diseases. According to the best liver transplant surgeon in Mumbai at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, generally, the symptoms of liver diseases may take a long time to appear and their severity may increase stage by stage. Liver-related problems can arise due to many reasons. That is, the reason for different diseases of the liver can be different. Most of the cases are caused by alcohol consumption, obesity, genetic diseases, and infectious diseases. But diseases can be cured if proper diagnosis and treatment are taken at the initial time. Liver diseases can generally be classified into several main types, including hepatitis B and C, chronic viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hemochromatosis.
The liver, the largest internal organ, performs a variety of functions that are essential for our survival. It detoxifies harmful substances, produces proteins, stores vitamins, and regulates cholesterol. Liver diseases encompass a range of conditions that affect its normal functioning, potentially leading to severe health issues.
To understand liver diseases generally, liver surgeons concede on their warning signs liver disease requires careful diagnosis and management tailored to the individual's condition. Because there are different types of liver diseases, and each may have different causes, symptoms, and warning signs. it may include factors such as genetic, environmental, and lifestyle may be involved mainly. Following are the main types of liver disease according to our top liver transplant doctor in Mumbai at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital -
Usually, symptoms of liver diseases don't appear for a long time, and by then a large part of your liver will have been damaged. A top liver transplant doctor in Mumbai says that gradual liver disease over many years can turn into an emergency. In such a situation, the risk can be reduced by knowing about some common symptoms and warning signs of liver disease, here are some common symptoms which can help you understand the seriousness of liver diseases
There are many different types of liver diseases, depending on their cause. Liver disease varies in severity and underlying cause in most cases. Some of the risk factors and causes of liver diseases are as follows, which can cause many liver-related diseases.
There can be many reasons for liver diseases. in which may include :
Infections (hepatitis A, B, and C), immune system dysfunction (hepatitis auto-immune, sclerosing cholangitis), genetics (Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency), and cancer development (liver tumors)
Risk factors such as obesity, diabetes (type 2), inadequate diet, vascular disorders, drugs and toxins, alcohol consumption, etc. increase the risk of developing liver diseases; these can lead to serious complications like liver failure, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Determining the cause and severity of liver disease can be an important step in treating liver disease. The best liver transplant surgeon in Mumbai can advise a comprehensive medical history and physical examination to determine the extent of any damage to the health of the liver and the underlying cause of the disease. Some of the common diagnostic tests for which are given are:
This diagnostic procedure involves examining the blood to measure the levels of enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin, which includes liver function tests (LFTs), serum bilirubin, liver enzymes, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
These tests help in detecting abnormalities like fatty liver or tumors. For this, top liver transplant doctors in Mumbai can take help of advanced techniques like Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Fibroscan or transient elastography, and Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Along with these, one may also recommend other tests like viral hepatitis test, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), prothrombin time (PT) and INR.
All these diagnostic tests depend on the patient's symptoms, medical history, and suspected liver condition. Generally, top liver transplant doctors in Mumbai use a combination of these tests to accurately diagnose liver diseases and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Taking preventive measures for liver health plays an important role in detoxification, metabolism and various other bodily functions. There are certain lifestyle changes you need to make to promote liver health which include
Eating healthy, controlling weight, exercising regularly
This may include staying hydrated and limiting alcohol consumption.
Along with avoiding illegal drugs, managing cholesterol levels, managing diabetes, and getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B can also have a long-term impact on liver health.
In general, both a liver biopsy and imaging studies may be important to diagnose liver disease. Liver biopsy is the technique used to obtain a tissue sample from an imaging study to test for liver abnormalities. Both are helpful in the diagnosis of liver disease
A liver biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small sample of liver tissue is taken for examination under a microscope. It is often done to diagnose liver diseases, assess the extent of liver damage, and determine the best course of treatment. Percutaneous liver biopsy and transjugular liver biopsy are used for liver biopsy.
Imaging techniques are non-invasive methods used to visualize the liver's structure, blood flow, and abnormalities like fatty liver or tumors. Common imaging methods for liver evaluation include:
Ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), fibroscan or transient elastography, nuclear medicine scan and angiography are used.
A healthy liver performs many vital functions such as metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, balancing hormones, stabilizing blood sugar, and producing ketones. As well as detoxifying harmful substances, and storing essential nutrients.
It can be said that it acts like a filter in our body that collects the good things and filters out the harmful things for the body, and then it would not be wrong.
Therefore, it becomes important to consume such substances to maintain the health of your liver. So, that there is no pressure on the functions of the liver. And can promote liver health.
Here are some liver health and nutrition tips that top liver transplant doctors in Mumbai consider:
Understanding liver diseases and their warning signs is extremely important to maintain our overall health and well-being. Recognizing the warning signs of liver diseases and early intervention are essential for effective management. Determining the cause and severity of liver disease is important in the presence of symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, and changes in the color of urine or stool.
It is important to consult the a liver transplant surgeon for liver health diagnosis like liver function test (LFT), serum bilirubin, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, fibroscan or transient elastography.
As such, arming ourselves with knowledge about liver health enables us to make informed decisions about our dietary choices, physical activity, and overall lifestyle. By adopting a balanced diet for liver health, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding harmful habits, we can reduce the risk of liver diseases to a great extent. In addition, being mindful of your body's signals and promptly addressing any unusual symptoms can contribute to early diagnosis and successful treatment.
Related: The Benefits of Meditation for Fatty Liver Disease
Liver Clinic at Dr. L.H. Hiranandani Hospital is a specialized medical facility that provides comprehensive care, diagnosis, and treatment options, especially for individuals with liver-related conditions and diseases. These include viral hepatitis, chronic, fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Wilson's disease, and other liver disease - cirrhosis and its complications. Led by a team of highly trained hepatologists, gastroenterologists and the best liver transplant doctors in Mumbai, the Liver Clinic offers a range of services aimed at addressing various liver disorders.
Our experts' commitment to excellence contributes significantly to improving the quality of life of people dealing with liver-related challenges such as fatty liver disease and viral hepatitis.
