Health Matters: Liver

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

The human body is made up of organs of which the Liver is a very important one. The body cannot function properly without the contribution of this all important organ.

A thorough examination of the liver, its functions and disease that affects it will be an eye opener to what the liver is and does to body.

The liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly. Weighing about 3 pounds, the liver is reddish-brown in color and feels rubbery to the touch. Normally, a person can not feel the liver, because it is protected by the rib cage.

The liver has two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gall bladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb and process food.

The main job of the liver is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions.

The liver being one of the most important organs of the body also has ailments that afflict it. These ailments are numerous even as there are means of treating them. Some of these conditions may be permanent and some can be treated by drug administration and proper care.

Liver Conditions

These are diseases that afflict the liver:

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses like hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis can have non-infectious causes too, including heavy drinking, drugs, allergic reactions, obesity and many others.

Cirrhosis: Long-term damage to the liver from any cause can lead to permanent scarring, called cirrhosis. The liver then becomes unable to function well.

Liver cancer: The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, almost always occurs after cirrhosis is present.

Liver failure: Liver failure has many causes including infection, genetic diseases, and excessive alcohol.

Ascites: As cirrhosis results, the liver leaks fluid (ascites) into the belly, which becomes distended and heavy.

Gallstones: If a gallstone becomes stuck in the bile duct draining the liver, hepatitis and bile duct infection (cholangitis) can result.

Hemochromatosis: Hemochromatosis allows iron to deposit in the liver, damaging it. The iron also deposits throughout the body, causing multiple other health problems.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: A rare disease with unknown causes, primary sclerosing cholangitis causes inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts in the liver.

Primary biliary cirrhosis: In this rare disorder, an unclear process slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. Permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis) eventually develops.

Liver Treatments

Hepatitis A treatment: Hepatitis A usually goes away with time.

Hepatitis B treatment: Chronic hepatitis B often requires treatment with antiviral medication.

Hepatitis C treatment: Treatment for hepatitis C depends on several factors.

Liver transplant: A liver transplant is needed when the liver no longer functions adequately, whatever the cause.

Liver cancer treatment: While liver cancer is usually difficult to cure, treatment consists of chemotherapy and radiation. In some cases, surgical resection or liver transplantation is performed.

Paracentesis: When severe ascites — swelling in the belly from liver failure — causes discomfort, a needle can be inserted through the skin to drain fluid from the abdomen.

ERCP (Endocscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography): Using a long, flexible tube with a camera and tools on the end, doctors can diagnose and even treat some liver problems.