Latest Liver Treatment Articles | Wockhardt Hospitals

Dual Organ Transplant

Some patients benefit from having a combined or “dual” organ transplant, meaning they receive a new liver and another new organ during the same surgical procedure. Types of combined organ transplants that are performed with liver transplant: Liver and kidney transplant Liver and heart transplant Liver and intestine transplant Liver and lung transplant If you are suffering from serious illness and multiple organ failure, your transplant team may recommend a combined organ transplant to help restore your quality of life. Patients requiring combined organ transplantation are listed on both organ waiting lists. Waiting time for transplantation will vary depending on the organs you need. Post-transplant care is similar to single-organ transplantation in that you will need to take anti-rejection medications for the life of your organs. A simultaneous Kidney Pancreas transplant is an operation to place the kidney and pancreas at the same time in a patient who has kidney failure and also suffers from diabetes, needing very high insulin dose to control sugars. It can be type 1 or burnt-out type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where a patient’s body attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells located in the pancreas. It is typically seen in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is what we see commonly in adults. Over some time, these patient’s insulin-producing cells stop making insulin or they are unable to produce enough to meet the body’s demand. Diabetes affects every system in the body. In the eyes, it affects the retina and is the leading cause of blindness. It affects the blood vessels supplying the heart and is a common cause of heart attacks. It accelerates atherosclerosis which is a common cause of strokes/paralysis, heart failure, and kidney failure. Uncontrolled sugars affect the nervous system also. Once the peripheral nervous system is affected, sensation in the hands and feet comes down. Diabetic patients with kidney failure need a kidney transplant to prolong their life. Steroids used as immunosuppression will make treatment of diabetes difficult. Poorly controlled sugars will continue to affect the rest of the body including the transplanted kidney. Performing a pancreas transplant at the same time will eliminate all these problems by optimally controlling sugars. It will not only protect the transplanted kidney from future effects of diabetes but also reverse the effects of diabetes on other systems including peripheral neuropathy and thus protect the limbs. Liver and intestine transplant An intestinal transplant is a complex procedure that requires the expertise of specialists trained in bowel or multi-visceral transplants. The surgery may take up to 12 hours and involves either an isolated intestinal transplant alone, a combined liver and intestine transplant, or a multi-visceral transplant. Depending on what caused your patient’s intestinal failure and his or her overall medical condition, your doctor will determine which type of transplant best meets your child’s needs. Isolated Intestinal Transplant — An isolated intestinal transplant involves removing the diseased portion of the small intestine and replacing it with a healthy small intestine from a donor. This type of transplant is considered for children with complications caused by intestinal failure, who don’t have liver failure. Combined Liver and Intestine Transplant — A combined liver and intestine transplant involves removing the diseased liver and intestine and replacing them with a healthy liver and intestine from an organ donor. This type of transplant is considered for patients with intestinal failure and irreversible liver failure. The cause of liver failure in this setting is usually due to complications of intravenous nutrition. This type of transplant is also required in patients with chronic liver disease patients whose abdominal veins carrying blood from the intestine to the liver are completely obliterated. Multivisceral Transplant — A multivisceral transplant is rare and may be considered for children who have multiple organ failure, including stomach, pancreas, liver, small intestine, and kidney failure. Intestinal transplant: The patient’s blood vessels are connected to the donor’s blood vessels to establish a blood supply to the transplanted intestine. The donor’s intestine is then connected to your patient’s gastrointestinal tract. An ileostomy is then made, which is a surgically created opening through which a portion of the patient’s small bowel, called the ileum, is brought up through the abdominal wall. After the transplant, this new opening on your patient’s abdomen allows body waste to pass directly out of the body and empty into a pouch. The ileostomy also allows the transplant team to assess the health of your child’s transplanted intestine. In time, most patients can have the ileostomy closed. A feeding tube is also placed into the stomach to help the patient transition to an oral diet.

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT)

Deceased Donor Liver Transplant: In deceased donor liver transplants, the donor is usually a victim of an accident head injury, or brain hemorrhage. Their heart is still beating, but their brain has stopped working so they’re considered legally dead. The donor is usually in an intensive care unit. After consent from relatives, the retrieval procedure is performed in the operation theatre. After removal from the donor (a process called liver retrieval), the liver can safely be preserved outside the body in special preservation solutions. Allocation of such organs is strictly according to blood group, time on the waiting list, and urgency of transplant. What Does a Deceased Donor Liver Transplant Involve? Deceased donor livers come from people who have died suddenly, usually from an accident or bleed into the brain. These individuals are usually between one and 70 years of age and have been relatively healthy before their death. These people have previously expressed to their families a willingness to donate their organs, or their families have decided to donate their organs so that someone else will have a chance to live a better life. It isn’t necessary to match the donor and recipient for age, sex, or race. All donors are screened for hepatitis viruses and HIV. What’s more, all deceased donor organs are tested extensively to help ensure that they don’t pose a health threat to the recipient. As soon as a deceased donor is declared brain-dead, the liver is removed and placed in cold, sterile fluid similar to fluid in body cells. It is then stored in the ice box. The harvested liver needs to be transplanted preferably within 6 to 8 hours – which is why recipients are often called to the hospital in the middle of the night or at short notice. Who can be a donor? Anyone can be a donor. When a patient is declared brain dead and his family decides to donate the organs for transplantation, the liver is made available for transplantation.

Comprehensive Diagnosis & Treatment of Hepatitis

Hepatitis in easy terms is inflammation or swelling of the liver. These result in injury/loss of liver cells or hepatocytes. Types of Hepatitis: Acute Hepatitis: If the period of inflammation of the liver lasts for less than six months and is characterized by normalization of the liver function tests, it is called acute hepatitis. Patients who developed encephalopathy after the onset of icterus were supposed to have acute hepatic failure. Chronic Hepatitis: This kind of hepatitis is long-standing and has been present for more than 6 months. Causes of Hepatitis: Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Other viruses: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and COVID-19 virus. Drug-Induced: Acetaminophen, paracetamol, Antitubercular drugs (Anti TB medicines), Methotrexate (commonly used for skin diseases like Psoriasis) Chemicals/ others: Ethylene glycol, dyes, etc. Pregnancy-related: Preeclampsia, Acute fatty liver of pregnancy, HELLP syndrome. Metabolic or hereditary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease. What causes Acute hepatitis? Infection with a virus (viral hepatitis A, B, C, D & E): Viral hepatitis has been known as a severe public health problem in India by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nearly 119,000 cases of all-cause viral hepatitis were reported in India in 2012. Acute Viral hepatitis is most generally seen due to acute Hepatitis A or Hepatitis E virus infection. The Indian population is displaying a fresh upward shift in the average age at first Hepatitis A virus infection, among the socio-economically developed population resulting in pockets of sensitive populations. The Hepatitis E virus is the most important cause of epidemic hepatitis though the Hepatitis A virus is well-known among children. Most acute liver failures diagnosed in India are attributable to the Hepatitis E virus. Hepatitis E virus is the most common cause of hepatitis during pregnancy. The spread of both HAV and HEV occurs through the fecal-oral route, which means due to ingestion of contaminated water — sewage-contaminated and inadequately treated water. Overdose of drugs (such as acetaminophen, and paracetamol): There is always a history of drug intake in such people. Most often these medicines have been self-administered in wrong doses or incidentally ingested. Chemical exposure: such as dry-cleaning chemicals and some wild mushrooms What are the symptoms of Acute Hepatitis? Acute hepatitis can present with various clinical signs and symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic elevated liver function tests to acute liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Common symptoms: Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain Jaundice (yellow discoloration of eye, dark-coloured urine and light-coloured stools The signs of severe hepatitis can be easily missed or may match other forms or medical problems. How to diagnose Acute Hepatitis? Diagnosis of Acute hepatitis involves: Complete medical history and clinical examination Blood tests: Liver function tests, coagulation profile Blood tests for virus detection Ultrasonography: to see the condition of the liver Treatment of Acute Hepatitis Treatment for acute hepatitis depends on the condition of the patient. Some patients may need admission to a hospital in the first phase for complete evaluation and stabilization. Most patients need supportive medical care which is defined by the treating liver physician based on the individual patient and disease severity parameters. The majority of the people recover uneventfully with just supportive care. Severe acute hepatitis may require ICU care and appropriate management as per the treating team. What is chronic hepatitis? Hepatitis is known as chronic if signs continue longer than six months. These are a small balance of those patients who did not recover fully from acute hepatitis and extended chronic hepatitis. Common causes of chronic hepatitis are: Chronic viral hepatitis Chronic alcoholic hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis (when the body attacks its tissues) Drug-induced chronic hepatitis (methotrexate, TB medicines) Metabolic disorders (such as Hemochromatosis or Wilson’s Disease) Chronic Hepatitis Symptoms The majority of people undergo no indications and are diagnosed during a health check-up or differently. Signs for chronic hepatitis are usually non-specific such as loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and low-grade temperature. Some patients present with, upper abdominal pain, jaundice, and other signs of liver failure. Diagnosis Diagnosis of chronic hepatitis involves: A complete medical history and medical examination Blood tests especially Liver function tests, PT-INR, coagulation profile Specific laboratory tests for virus detection Ultrasonography as an imaging tool Liver biopsy Treatment: All steps should be taken to identify the cause of chronic hepatitis. Even then a few sets of patients will fall under a category where no specific cause is identified. Treatment may include one/more of the following: Antiviral agents: There has been incredible success in treating chronic Hepatitis B or C in recent times. These medicines stop the viral replication and eventually kill them from our blood. Recently launched medicines like sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, have increased the success rate of treating HCV to more than 90%. Besides, in Hepatitis B, oral anti-viral agents such as Tenofovir or Entecavir have been utilized with a high rate of success. Steroids: Steroids have been used to treat a variety of chronic liver diseases including alcoholic hepatitis and autoimmune liver diseases. This is decided by the physician. Discontinuation of medicines/drugs: If a medicine is identified as the inciting cause it should be withdrawn and a substitute should be used. In the case of patients taking anti-tubercular treatment, it is advisable to switch to liver-safe anti-tubercular drugs. Patients with Psoriasis (skin disorder) should be switched over from methotrexate. Abstinence from alcohol: It is the most important step and treatment for recovery in alcohol-induced chronic liver disease. It is highly advisable in Hepatitis C and other chronic diseases of the liver. Patients taking anti-tubercular medication or with Psoriasis (skin disorder) who are on methotrexate should be advised not to drink alcohol.

Comprehensive Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) Diagnosis & Treatment in India

Chronic Liver Disease: Chronic liver failure develops more slowly than acute liver failure. It can take months or even years before you exhibit any symptoms. Chronic liver failure is often the result of cirrhosis, which is usually caused by long-term alcohol use or viral infections like hepatitis b and c. Cirrhosis occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. During Chronic liver failure, your liver becomes inflamed. This inflammation causes the formation of scar tissue over time. As your body replaces healthy tissue with scar tissue, your liver begins to fail. The liver is the body’s largest internal organ. It lies up under your ribs on the right side of your belly. The liver does many important things including: Removes waste from the body, such as toxins and medicines Makes bile to help digest food Stores sugar that the body uses for energy Makes new proteins Common causes of Chronic Liver Failure include: Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Long-term alcohol consumption Autoimmune liver disease Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) Hemochromatosis: inherited disorder which causes your body to absorb and store too much iron. It can build up in your liver and cause cirrhosis. What are the symptoms of Cirrhosis? Your symptoms may vary, depending on how severe your cirrhosis is. Mild cirrhosis may not cause any symptoms at all. Symptoms may include: Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) Fluid buildup in the belly (ascites) Easy bruising GI bleeding either blood in vomiting or stool Loss of appetite Weight loss Muscle loss Low energy and weakness (fatigue) Confusion as toxins build up in the blood Kidney failure How is Cirrhosis diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will take a detailed history of your past health. Then physical examination will be performed to look for signs of chronic liver disease. You may also have tests including: Blood tests: These will include liver function tests to see if the liver is working the way it should. You may also have tests to see if your blood is able to clot. Ultrasound: It uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. CT scan: This is an imaging test that uses a series of X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the liver & other organs, bones, muscles, and fat. MRI: This test makes detailed pictures of organs and structures inside your body. It uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy. A dye may be shot (injected) into your vein. The dye helps the liver and other organs to be seen more clearly on the scan. Endoscopy: A lighted flexible camera is placed through your mouth into your upper digestive tract to look for enlarged blood vessels that are at risk of bleeding because of your cirrhosis. How is Cirrhosis treated? Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease that happens over time. The damage to your liver can sometimes be reversed or improved if the trigger is gone, such as by treating a viral infection or by not drinking alcohol. The goal of treatment is to slow down the buildup of scar tissue and prevent or treat other health problems. In many cases, you may be able to delay or stop any liver damage. If you have hepatitis, it may be treated to delay the worsening of your liver disease. Eating a healthy diet which is low in sodium Avoid alcohol consumption Managing other health problems that happen because of cirrhosis Talk to your doctor before taking prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or vitamins. If you have severe cirrhosis that can’t be managed medically, a liver transplant is the only option. Other treatments may be specific to your cause of cirrhosis, such as controlling excessive iron or copper levels, treating viral infection using antivirals, or using immune-suppressing medicines if it is autoimmune-related cirrhosis.

Comprehensive Acute Liver Failure (ALF) Diagnosis & Treatment in India

Acute Liver Failure (ALF): Acute liver failure occurs when your liver rapidly loses its ability to function. Acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious condition requiring intensive monitoring and urgent specialist care. If not managed properly, it’s almost always fatal. Our “Liver team” is geared to provide the required medical treatment, intensive care, and if indicated surgical care (liver transplant) for these patients. Patients with acute liver failure are treated in the liver intensive care unit (Liver ICU). Common causes of Acute Liver Failure: Hepatitis A, E, B Acetaminophen overdose (Paracetamol poisoning) Ratol poisoning Drug-induced liver failure Wilson’s disease Acute fatty liver of pregnancy Treatments ALF is a medical emergency and requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Patients with ALF often require admission to a liver intensive care unit and are probably best managed at the center that performs liver transplantation, which can be life-saving for such patients. Treatment includes: For low blood pressure: IV Fluids. If required medications to maintain blood pressure. For hepatic encephalopathy: Oral lactulose (a laxative) and lactulose enemas. If intracranial pressure is raised: Mannitol and other neuroprotective strategies. For infections: Antibiotics or antifungal drugs For low blood sugar: Glucose is given intravenously. For bleeding: Transfusions of fresh frozen plasma (the fluid part of the blood that contains clotting factors) and, when necessary, Packed Cell Volumes (PCV). For breathing difficulty: mechanical ventilation What are the signs and symptoms of Acute Liver Failure (ALF)? The initial symptoms of liver failure can be due to many conditions. Because of this, liver failure may be initially difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms include: Nausea Loss of appetite Fatigue Diarrhea However, as liver failure progresses, the symptoms become more serious, requiring urgent care. These symptoms include: Jaundice Weakness Excessive sleepiness Confusion Coma How to diagnose Acute Liver Failure (ALF)? Investigations to diagnose Acute Liver Failure include: Blood tests: Blood tests are done to determine the current status of the liver as well as the cause of liver failure. A prothrombin time test measures how long it takes your blood to clot. With acute liver failure, blood doesn’t clot as quickly as it should. Imaging tests: Usually, an ultrasound of the abdomen with a liver Doppler is performed to rule out chronic liver disease. Sometimes abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan is recommended to evaluate the liver and its blood vessels. These tests can look for certain causes of acute liver failure, such as Budd-Chiari syndrome or tumors. They may be used if there is any suspicion of ultrasound. Arterial ammonia: When the liver is not working properly as in the case of acute liver failure, the blood ammonia level rises. If the blood ammonia level is very high, the patient might need dialysis support.

Pediatric Liver Transplant

Liver Transplantation for Children Your child needs a full evaluation before he/she can be placed on the transplant waiting list. The team will do many tests, including: Blood tests. Includes complete blood counts, liver function test, kidney function test, blood group, viral markers, etc. Diagnostic tests. Tests are done to check the child’s liver and general health. These tests may include X-rays, ultrasounds, and 2D echocardiography if required liver biopsy. Types of liver transplant: Living-donor liver transplants Many transplant centers throughout the world have improved the technique of living-donor liver transplantation. Current data implies that the results of living-donor liver transplant are at least similar to and possibly better than, cadaveric donor liver transplantation. The basis for taking a part of a living person’s liver lies in the organ’s capacity to grow back (regenerate) to its normal size. A part of the liver (a lobe) can be removed without causing any damage to liver function. Deceased-donor liver transplants In most cases, a healthy liver will come from a brain-dead organ donor. Either a whole liver or a part of the liver may be transplanted. While a liver transplant is the only treatment for many patients with end-stage liver disease, there are not enough cadaveric donor livers to meet the needs of all possible recipients. Split-liver transplants involve sharing a cadaveric donor’s liver so that two recipients (one small child and one adolescent or adult) may benefit from one liver donation. What is a pediatric liver transplant? A liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. The new liver may come from an organ donor who is brain dead or part of a liver may come from a healthy living person. This is called a living donor. A living donor should be a family member. The liver is the only organ in the body that can replace (regenerate) lost or damaged tissue. The donor’s liver will soon grow back to normal size after surgery. The part that your child receives as a new liver will also grow to normal size in a few weeks. Why might my child need a liver transplant? A liver transplant is suggested when your child’s liver doesn’t work well and they cannot survive without a liver transplant. Biliary atresia is the most common liver disease in children for which liver transplantation is required. This is an unusual disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in newborns. Other conditions may include: Liver cancer and other liver tumors Acute liver failure due to an autoimmune disorder, unknown causes, or an excess of medicine, such as acetaminophen Other hereditary liver disorders Conditions present at birth, such as Alagille syndrome or cholestatic diseases Viral hepatitis The development of too much iron in the body can damage organs. This is called hemochromatosis. Alpha-1 antitrypsin, an inherited disease that increases the risk of liver disease How do I get my child ready for a liver transplant? If your child’s pediatrician thinks he/she may be a good applicant for liver transplantation, they will refer your child to a transplantation center for evaluation. Your child will meet the transplantation team. Depending upon the child’s liver condition, the transplant team will decide on a cadaveric liver transplant listing or a living donor liver transplant. The transplantation team includes: Transplant surgeon Hepatologist Transplant anesthetist Pediatric transplant intensivist Transplantation nurses A social worker A psychiatrist or psychologist Dietician What happens during liver transplant surgery for a child? In cadaveric donor liver transplantation, once a liver is available for your child, you and your child will be advised to go to the hospital quickly. This can happen at any time, so you should be ready to go to the hospital at any time. At the hospital, your child will have some blood work and tests to check his/ her current status and also to rule out infection. Your child will then go into operation. The transplant may take a few hours. This will differ depending on your child’s case. After liver transplant surgery your child will be in the ICU for a few days and then will be shifted into the room. After transplant hospital stay will be 2 to 3 weeks. It depends on your child’s pre-transplant status and post-transplant recovery.

Living Donor Liver Transplant

Living Donor Liver Transplant A living-donor liver transplant is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the liver from a healthy living person is removed and implanted into someone’s belly whose liver is no longer working properly. The donor’s remaining liver regrows and returns to its normal size, volume, and capacity within a couple of months after the surgery. At the same time, the transplanted liver portion grows and restores normal liver function in the recipient. What you can expect? Before the procedure To be considered for a living-donor liver transplant, both the donor and recipient must undergo thorough health and psychological evaluation at a transplant center. The transplant team will discuss the potential benefits and risks of the procedure in detail. For example, while the procedure often may be lifesaving for the recipient, donating a portion of a liver carries some risks for the donor which is between 0.1 to 0.3%. Matching of living-donor livers with recipients is based on blood group type, organ quality, and organ size. During the procedure On the day of the transplant, surgeons will remove a portion of the donor’s liver for transplant through an incision in the abdomen. The specific part of the liver donated depends on the size of the donor’s liver, the recipient’s weight, and the needs of the recipient. Next, surgeons remove the diseased liver place the donated liver portion in the recipient’s body, and then connect the blood vessels and bile ducts to the new liver. The transplanted liver in the recipient and the portion left behind in the donor regrow rapidly, reaching normal liver volume and function within a couple of months. Why is living-donor liver transplantation desirable? Living donor liver transplantation has some advantages over deceased donor transplantation. First, there is an improved survival rate for the adult transplant recipients who received living-donor livers over deceased-donor livers. It reduces waiting list mortality as the recipient doesn’t have to wait for a long time. As a living donor liver transplant is an elective transplant, the transplant team has enough time to assess the quality of the donor’s liver.

Liver Wellness Treatment at Wockhardt Hospital

A healthy liver is crucial for the proper functioning of food digestion & detoxification. Liver diseases can be genetic or can be caused by various factors like obesity, alcohol, and viruses. Excessive alcohol or an unhealthy lifestyle can cause liver damage and lead to common liver diseases like fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Types of Liver Diseases There are various types of liver diseases & we provide complete care and treatment for all types of liver diseases. Some of the common diseases are: Cirrhosis Hepatitis (A,B,C,D,E) Liver Cancer Fatty Liver Dr. Swapnil Sharma is a liver surgeon who deals with all types of liver cancer. Liver cancers can be primary liver cancer or metastatic cancers. He also manages patients with viral hepatitis who have developed either end-stage liver disease or patients who have presented with acute liver failure. Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central is recognized for its advanced infrastructure, offering a world-class environment for liver transplant procedures. The hospital boasts cutting-edge technology, including high-resolution imaging systems and a dedicated transplant ICU, ensuring exceptional patient care. The liver transplant program is backed by a highly skilled team of hepatologists, transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialized nurses, all focused on achieving the best outcomes. With a commitment to personalized care, the hospital excels in comprehensive preoperative assessments, precise surgical techniques, and effective postoperative management for long-term success

Alcohol and its Impact on Liver Health

Are you Going Overboard on Alcohol? Well, then it is the right time to avoid having it. Alcohol consumption is not only linked to high blood pressure, digestive issues, stroke, or heart disease but also liver failure. A large number of people having alcohol tend to silently suffer from liver problems. In the below article, we aim to create awareness regarding alcohol’s impact on one’s liver. Currently, a majority of people are stressed and opt for alcohol or smoking to feel lighter. But, these things can do more harm than good. Consuming alcohol can take a toll on one’s overall well-being and impact every organ of the body. Alcohol consumption is commonly associated with various types of cancers, abnormal heart rhythms, alcohol use disorder, and a weak immune system. Moreover, alcohol consumption and liver problems go hand-in-hand. Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is common in India and the incidence is rising as a result of increasing levels of alcohol misuse How Does Alcohol Drinking Affect the Liver? Ethanol/alcohol is metabolized in the liver with help of a key enzyme called ADH ( Alcohol Dehydrogenase). Continuous and heavy Drinking creates oxidative stress in the liver. Liver cell capacity to neutralize this oxidative stress with help of antioxidants like glutathione, vitamins A, E, & C will get reduced with time. Increased oxidative stress produces liver cell damage and leads to Alcohol Related liver diseases. These are three of the types of liver disease that occur due to heavy alcohol consumption Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Alcoholic Fatty liver disease (steatosis): Fatty liver is one of the types of alcohol-related liver disease seen in many patients. It occurs when a person drinks excess alcohol in a short time span. In this condition, excess fat will get accumulated in the liver and will be shown on ultrasonography. Fat accumulation will cause inflammation in the liver tissue. This rarely causes any symptoms. If one stops drinking, this condition is reversible. Alcoholic Hepatitis Alcoholic Hepatitis is a more severe liver injury in which the inflammation (Swelling) of the liver cells occurs. One with this condition will exhibit symptoms such as poor appetite, abdominal pain, tiredness, jaundice, and even death. The Liver injury associated with mild alcoholic hepatitis is reversible if you stop drinking permanently but an injury in severe alcoholic hepatitis can be life-threatening and require liver replacement. Liver Cirrhosis or Scarring of the Liver If you are consuming alcohol on a regular basis then you need to be cautious. Yes, you have heard it right! Too much alcohol can lead to liver cirrhosis. Are you aware? Alcohol changes the chemicals that tend to break down and remove scar tissue. Thus, the scar tissue builds up in one’s liver and replaces normal healthy cells. Hence, the liver will fail to work as it is supposed to and one can lose his/her life. One may only see symptoms such as vomiting blood, swollen tummy, jaundice, excess sleepiness, and muscle cramps only when it is too late. There can be a liver failure and death due to cirrhosis. Currently, A Liver Transplant surgery is the only way to cure irreversible liver failure. The Last Word It is imperative for each and everyone to limit their alcohol intake and take charge of their health. Apart from that, just adhere to a well-balanced lifestyle. Try to eat well, quit smoking, exercise daily, and stay healthy.

The Four Stages Of Fatty Liver Disease- Explained

Fatty liver is a medical condition associated with the accumulation of fat in a person’s liver that can over time damage its function. Medical experts have identified two types of fatty liver disease, one in which a person only has fat but no damage to the liver, it is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In another, the accumulated fats show signs of inflammation and cell damage which is known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). People who drink too much alcohol are highly prone to contract the illness. In a recent interaction with Hindustan Times, a medical expert highlighted the four stages when one should start worrying about fatty liver. Worrying signs about fatty liver Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr. Pratik Tibdewal, who works at the Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai said that the disease occurs in four stages. First stage: The expert denotes this stage as ‘no red flag’ as it references when fats begin to build up in the liver without any cell damage or inflammation. Most people don’t even realize that they carry the sickness at this stage. Second stage This stage denotes the time when the accumulated fat becomes inflamed and results in damaging liver tissues. If the condition becomes serious it can lead to scarring of the liver and fibrosis. Third stage In this stage, the scarring of the liver becomes visible and the inflammation also affects the blood vessels. One must seek immediate help to reduce the scarring to prevent further progression and damage. Fourth stage The expert suggests the fourth stage is called cirrhosis, wherein the issue becomes lethal as the function of the liver completely stops. The signs and symptoms include pale skin, pain in the lower right of the ribs, swelling, bleeding, and more. In serious cases, liver transplantation is also recommended for patients at this stage. What are the risk factors for developing a fatty liver? While the exact cause of fatty liver has not been traced yet but a report by Hopkins Medicine suggests that obesity is a common factor that leads to the sickness. The problem is also found in people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high-fat levels. Dr. Pratik TibdewalConsultant GastroenterologistWockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai To book an appointment call: +918291101001 Source: https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/the-four-stages-of-fatty-liver-disease-explained-6728005.html

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