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Do I Have An Enlarged Liver? What Are The Treatment Possibilities?

30th October, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Enlarged liver is a generic term for a condition that results in abnormal liver growth, which can have serious medical consequences. It may be caused by one or a combination of illnesses or diseases. The liver may be only slightly enlarged, but it may also swell to unusually big proportions. When this occurs, it’s usually described as grossly enlarged. A human liver generally weighs 3-4 pounds (around one and a half kilograms). Some have described it as being shaped like a small American football.

Medical professionals have a name for an enlarged liver. It is called hepatomegaly.

When the liver becomes enlarged, it is not considered a disease. It is more a symptom of some other liver problem.

An enlarged liver can occur for a number of reasons. The most frequently diagnosed causes include the following.

* One of a number of different strains of hepatitis.

* Polycystic liver disease, a disorder in which a series of cysts grow on the liver.

* Certain types of infections that have an impact on the liver, including mono and malaria.

* Liver cysts, which are small watery or mucous-filled sacs growing on the liver. They’re usually the result of advancing age or poor nutritional habits.

* Cirrhosis, which is a scarring of the liver, typically caused by a disease like hepatitis or a chemical addiction (most often alcohol).

* Fatty liver disease, which happens when your liver accumulates fat due to poor nutrition or diet (and sometimes other reasons). As fat builds, liver function decreases.

* Certain forms of cancer have been known to cause an enlarged liver. Leukemia is perhaps the most common of these.

Symptoms often depend on the degree of enlargement. A slightly enlarged liver won’t present any symptoms. But a grossly enlarged liver may cause abdominal fullness and some pain.

When symptoms of an enlarged liver appear, they may include one or more of the following.

* A condition known as ascites. This disorder is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which separates abdominal organs from the abdominal lining.

* Cholestasis, a problem which occurs when the flow of bile from the liver through the bile ducts is blocked.

* Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood.

Diagnosis of the cause of an enlarged liver is the key to choosing a proper course of treatment. Excessive alcohol use is a frequent cause of an enlarged liver. When this is the case, your doctor will tell you to stop drinking. Sedentary lifestyle and poor diet can also contribute to liver enlargement. Your doctor will recommend some changes.

You can avoid getting an enlarged liver by following these guidelines.

Reduce your drinking or avoid alcohol altogether, and never use alcohol at the same time you’re taking medications.

Be careful when taking multiple medications, and be sure to follow dosage instructions carefully.

Also discuss herbal supplements with your doctor. Some have the potential to damage the liver in certain situations.

Also being careful with vitamins. Certain combinations can be hazardous, notably vitamins A, D, E and K.

When using certain common household products, be sure the area is well-ventilated. Some insecticides, cleaners and aerosols can cause liver damage.

Finally – and perhaps most important of all – eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly. Diet and exercise are the best ways to avoid an enlarged liver.

Related topics: liver problem and reasons for enlarged liver. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV and radio reporter. To read more of his articles, click on Liver Health And Your.