Liver Diseases, Causes and Symptoms

Location
It is a haphazardly formed, firm sports ground like structure which comprises of two parts (a larger right lobe and a smaller left lobe) and two minor lobes. It is placed just under the diaphragm in the upper right abdomen and is mostly under the ribs and is extended to the middle and partially towards the left upper abdomen. While breathing in, it is pressed down by the diaphragm and its lower periphery descends below the boundary of the lowest rib.

Functions
· Bile production
· Maintains balance of fluid
· Controls bleeding
· Blood storage
· Fat metabolism
· Removal of hemoglobin molecules

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Diseases
· Liver inflammation
· Hepatitis B
· Hepatitis C
· Jaundice
· Liver cirrhosis
· Liver failure
· Non alcoholic fatty liver disease
· Wilson's disease

Causes

· Autoimmune Hepatitis
It is caused because of external factors or attack on own immune system of the body.

· Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the only cause of this disease.

· Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus (HBC) is the only cause of this disease.

· Jaundice
o Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and autoimmune hepatitis
o Liver cancer and cirrhosis
o Malaria
o Gilbert's, Rotor's, Dubin-Johnson and Crigler-Najjar syndromes
o Hemolytic anemia
o Billary artesia

· Liver Cirrhosis
o Alcoholic liver disease
o Chronic hepatitis C
o Chronic hepatitis Band D
o Autoimmune hepatitis
o Non alcoholic steato hepatitis
o Inherited diseases
o Bile ducts blockage
o Infections, drugs and toxins

· Liver Failure
o Hepatitis B and C
o Undernourishment
o Extreme use of alcohol for an extended time
o Hemachromatosis
o Reaction to medicines
o Cirrhosis
o Overdose of Tylenol
o Intake of untamed mushrooms

· Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Exact causes are not yet known, however, probable causes due to cluster of disorders that increases risk of:
o Heart diseases
o Diabetes
o Stroke

· Wilson's disease
The causes are hereditary in nature.

Symptoms

Autoimmune Hepatitis
o Abdominal pain
o Skin rashes
o Fatigue
o Joint pain
o Nausea or vomiting
o Jaundice
o Enlargement of liver
o Appearance of abdominal blood vessels on skin
o Dark yellow urine
o Loss of appetite
o Gray or pale colored stool
o Mental confusion

· Hepatitis B
o Fatigue
o Abdominal pain
o Jaundice
o Nausea
o Loss of appetite
o Vomiting
o Dark yellow colored urine
o Joint pain
o Yellowish eyes and skin

· Hepatitis C
o Abdominal pain
o Jaundice
o Loss of appetite
o Vomiting
o Nausea
o Dark yellow colored urine

· Jaundice
o Yellow colored skin, eyes and mucous membrane

o Liver Cirrhosis
o Loss of appetite
o Intense itching
o Loss in weight
o Dark colored skin
o Bleeding from the nose
o Enlargement of breasts in men
o Confusion
o Fluid retention
o Jaundice
o Gallstone
o Blood clotting difficulties
o Bleeding of esophageal vein

· Liver Failure
o Loss of appetite
o Vomiting or nausea
o Fatigue
o Diarrhea
o Swelling in abdomen
o Easy bleeding
o Jaundice
o Mental disorder
o Sleepiness
o Coma

· Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
o Loss of appetite
o Nausea or vomiting
o Weight loss
o Easy bruising
o Appearance of small vein under skin
o Fatigue
o Bleeding engorged esophageal or intestinal veins
o Jaundice
o Lack of sex desire
o Retention of fluid in abdomen
o Swollen feet and legs
o Intense itching of legs, hands or whole body

· Wilson's Disease
o Swollen liver and spleen
o Building of fluid in abdomen lining
o Decreased white blood count and platelet in blood
o Anemia
o Increased levels of protein, amino acid, carbohydrates and uric acid in urine
o Jaundice
o Speech problems
o Softening of bones
o Blood vomiting
o Rigidness of muscles
o Tremors in hands and arms

Liver Diseases, Causes and Symptoms

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Married to an Alcoholic: 7 Steps to Helping Them Get Sober

Are you married to an alcoholic? Is your husband/wife a different person when they drink? Are you tired of the Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde Behavior? Are you at your wits end and just can't take it anymore? What can you do?

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1. Stop trying to get your husband/wife to stop drinking.

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No matter how much you nag and complain at them to stop drinking, it is not going to do a bit of good. What will is taking care of you. I know, it sounds backwards, but when you're emotionally stressed out, it will be more difficult to help your loved one. You have no verbal power over the alcoholic. What you do have control over is your actions. What you do and say to the alcoholic will have a direct effect on whether or not they will continue drinking or not.

2. Detach with love.

Be loving and supportive of the person you married, not the alcoholic. Don't take any of the emotional garbage they dish out while drinking. Have you noticed how when your spouse drinks they start to berate you and want to start arguments? Don't argue or fight back. Let them know you will not argue with them while they are drinking, period.

Above all, never allow the alcoholic to trespass against your spirit when they are playing one of their mind games. Walk away and close the door behind you. Go visit a friend, take a walk around the block, or put some ear plugs in your ears. Your mental health is what helps the alcoholic the most. This is what detaching with love is all about. Detaching yourself from the disease is what helps the alcoholic see that he needs help.

3. Set boundaries

Did you know that the person who takes the verbal abuse of an alcoholic is sometimes just as mentally and emotionally sick as the alcoholic? This is why it is absolutely necessary, especially for spouses of alcoholics, to set boundaries for themselves while the alcoholic is drinking.

Don't allow their roller coaster emotions to affect you. At least do not let them see that they are affecting you. The alcoholic wants to get a reaction out of you, don't give them that satisfaction. When they are drinking, treat them like a stranger. Remember, you love the person you married, but you do not love the disease. Don't be nice to the disease but love the person. Do you understand?

4. Do not enable the alcoholic

Don't help the alcoholic by enabling their addictive behavior. Don't help them to bed. Don't let them drive while drinking. Do not let them argue, fuss or fight with you while they are drinking. Do not talk to them, leave the house or room and shut and lock the door behind you. Do not buy them alcohol, even if they beg you to. Don't let them drive! Don't treat them any differently because they have a drinking problem. Don't give them any special attention while they are drinking.

5. Be supportive when they are sober

When the alcoholic in your life is sober, give them extra special attention. Tell them how much you love them, but not the disease. Talk to them about your new boundaries when they are sober. Write them on the refrigerator so they can't say they forgot. Basically let them know all the bad and awful things they do to you and the rest of the family while they are drinking. They need to know.

6. Go to Alan-on

This is very important when you are living with an alcoholic. This is how you heal yourself from the abuses of the alcoholic. This is where you will meet friends who are going through the same things as you. You are not alone.

7. Pray everyday

Never relent in your silent appeals to God for your spouse's sobriety. I cannot say enough how important it is to keep a well balanced mind, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually when living with an alcoholic. They can literally tear you apart. I encourage you to seek God for your comfort and encouragement during this difficult time in your life. God answers our incessant appeals for healing. He feels our suffering and pain. Please do not give up hope.

Married to an Alcoholic: 7 Steps to Helping Them Get Sober

ALCOHOLIC

What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?

Canine Infectious Hepatitis is a liver disease which is life threatening and can potentially affect all dogs who are not vaccinated. Puppies are especially vulnerable and account for the majority of cases of canine infectious hepatitis. Vaccines to prevent the disease are available for all ages of dogs and should be given as soon as possible.

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The initial symptoms of canine infectious hepatitis might seem like a bad cold. The first signs of an infection are coughing and sometimes pneumonia. The virus moves quickly, however, and death can occur within a few hours of the initial symptoms. This is because after affecting the throat, the virus which causes canine infectious hepatitis moves into the blood where it is transported to the eyes, liver, and kidneys. Evidence of hepatitis which has entered the blood includes "hepatitis blue eye", increased thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, and even seizures. "Hepatitis blue eye" caused by canine infectious hepatitis happens when the whites of the eyes look blue or clouded. If any of these symptoms occur, the dog must be taken to the vet immediately.

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Specific treatments do not exist for canine infectious hepatitis. The dog can be stabilized and given fluids through an IV, but after that it is up to the dog's own immune system to fight the infection. After recovery, the dog can still infect other dogs with the virus that causes canine infectious hepatitis. It is important for the health of other pets that they be vaccinated and kept away from the recovered dog and his wastes and nasal discharge for up to nine months.

Vaccination is the only way to prevent an untimely death due to canine infectious hepatitis.

What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?

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Treatment For Hepatitis C - Can Hepatitis C Be Treated?

Hepatitis C is a type of hepatitis that causes liver infection and is often referred to as 'asymptomatic' by medical doctors as it seldom shows any symptoms at all. This disease is caused due to transmission of Hepatitis C virus. Although if initially treated Hepatitis C patients can get cured, but this virus if left untreated can turn the disease chronic which can cause fibrosis and cirrhosis, two harmful conditions which can result in scarring of livers of the patient over a few years, if a treatment for hepatitis C is not applied. Fortunately, today we have a new option to deal with this type of hepatitis, and it will soon be a thing of the past.

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Hepatitis C was first discovered back in 1970s and was officially confirmed by medical experts in 1981. It is estimated that nearly 300 million people around the globe have HCV infection. Medical surveys have revealed that on average more than 36,000 American citizens annually get infected with Hepatitis C virus. The fact that Hepatitis C can only infect humans has made it hard for experts to conduct researches on Hepatitis C. There are two major classes of hepatitis C:

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Acute Hepatitis C - Experts have formulated the term 'acute' to refer to the initial six months after a person gets infected with Hepatitis C virus. As mentioned before hepatitis patients often fail to show any symptoms of the infection, and the same trend has been found with almost 70 percent of patients suffering from acute hepatitis C. Those who show some suggestive signs generally experience lack of desire to eat, fatigue, severe itching, jaundice, pain in abdomen and overall disposition as if the patient has influenza.

Chronic Hepatitis C - When the hepatitis virus infection persists for more than six months in a particular patient he is said to have chronic Hepatitis C. That usually happens if the treatment for hepatitis c is not applied. As chronic Hepatitis C has generally been found to be asymptomatic, in a number of cases, the presence of HCV in a patient's body is detected completely by accident.

So far data collected has suggested that while many patients remain immune to displaying any signs of the infection until the phase comes when harmful scars start appearing on the liver, others however show many medical conditions that are enough to raise the suspicion that he or she is infected with HCV. Chronic Hepatitis C patients can exhibit conditions such as influenza, exhaustion, loss of sleep and appetite, itching and vomiting and mental depression.

Is there a new treatment for hepatitis c?Yes, in 2009 a new herbal treatment was developed, which was proven to quickly eliminate the Hepatitis C infection in a person's body. It simply supplies your body with the proper tools that it needs in order to fight off the disease. Since it is herbal, anyone can apply it at home. The new treatment is yet to be developed further by the medical companies, and they will probably start manufacturing it in a pill form in 2013.

Treatment For Hepatitis C - Can Hepatitis C Be Treated?

HEPATITIS

FAQ On the Health Effects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse - You Might Be Surprised

The effects of alcohol and substance abuse are not only serious, but are also often terminal. For example, excessive drinking can cause and increase the risk of certain cancers such as, colon cancer, liver cancer, rectum cancer, and even kidney cancer. However, regrettably, it appears that most people are not fully aware of this information. To help you understand the health effects of excessive drinking, take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about alcohol and substance abuse.

1. Can excessive drinking really damage my liver?

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Yes, as a matter of fact, excessive drinking can cause several liver related diseases. One of the most common liver related diseases caused my excessive drinking, is alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis can easily be recognized by the following symptoms:

-Abdominal pains
-Abnormal yellowing of the skin and eyeballs
-Fever

If a person continues with excessive drinking, alcoholic hepatitis can be fatal. Another common liver related disease is cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. Once again, if left untreated and excessive drinking continues, cirrhosis can be fatal.

2. Why does alcohol damage the liver?

As far as medical research is concerned, alcohol acts as a food as well as a poison. As for the liver, the liver's primary function is to remove poison and toxins. As the liver does exactly this with alcohol, it is turned into yet another poison, eventually damaging the liver cells. In simple terms, alcohol produces toxins and the liver removes toxins. However, the toxins produced by alcohol, usually outstrips the defenses produced by the liver.

3. Can I get cancer from excessive drinking?

Yes, long term drinking and excessive alcohol and substance abuse can most certainly increase your risk of getting certain cancers. Some recorded cases of cancers due to alcohol abuse, is colon cancer, throat cancer, rectum cancer, liver cancer, mouth cancer, and even kidney cancer. Moreover, women who drink excessively can increase their chances of developing breast cancer. Developing cancer is most certainly possible and one of the many long term effects of alcohol and substance abuse.

4. Is it possible to develop heart disease due to excessive alcohol and substance abuse?

In fact, heart related diseases are one of the most common long term effects of alcohol and abuse. According to a recent study, however, drinking in good moderation can also be beneficial to your heart - especially with people who are great risk to heart attacks. In the long run, excessive drinking can cause several heart related diseases such as strokes and high blood pressure.

5. Is it true that excessive drinking can cause pancreatitis?

Yes, this is very true. Long term and excessive alcohol and substance abuse can most certainly cause pancreatitis. Just like the liver, excessive drinking will cause inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be a life-threatening disease. Symptoms may include abdominal pains and weight loss.

6. Alcohol Poisoning - Is, this a myth or is it real?

Alcohol poisoning is everything but a myth. Excessive drinking can often lead to alcohol poisoning, which causes the person to go into an unconscious state. This can even lead to death.

7. What other health problems can alcohol and substance abuse cause?

There are several other health related issues connected to excessive drinking. However, not all of these are long term health effects of alcohol and abuse. Some of which you may see below, are also short term health effects of alcohol and substance abuse.

-Loss of brain cells
-Stomach ulcers
-Irritated stomach and bowel
-Sexual problems
-Personal problems
-Muscle diseases
-Vitamin deficiency
-Nerve damage
-Epilepsy
-Obesity
-Skin problems
-Infertility
-Erectile dysfunction
-Bleeding in the esophagus
-Brain damage

As you can see, alcohol and substance abuse can cause negative health effects on the short and long run. Alcohol and abuse puts you at great risk for health related diseases, and it can also shorten your life by 10 years or much more.

FAQ On the Health Effects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse - You Might Be Surprised

ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Oyster Can Give You Hepatitis A

From 1983 to 1989, the incidence of hepatitis A in the United States reached 58 percent. Some 35,800 cases were reported in the latter year.

hepatitis

Many were foodborne-related outbreaks that occurred in Alaska, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington. The contaminants included, among others, an ice-slush beverage purchased from a convenience store and iced tea prepared by an infected intravenous drug user who made sandwiches and drinks in a restaurant.

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Contaminated frozen strawberries from a processing plant in California were the cause of two separate hepatitis A outbreaks in Georgia and Montana. In the former,13 students and two teachers of an elementary school contracted the disease in two weeks after eating strawberry shortcake in the school cafeteria.

In the Montana episode that took place at an institution for the developmentally disabled, 13 got the disease during a three-week period following the ingestion of desserts containing frozen strawberries.

An early outbreak in London in 1989 involved more than 50 residents of a group of villages. This was traced to bread prepared in a shop and its outlets by workers with soiled hands.

The womanizing librarian Giovanni Giacomo Casanova once recommended 50 oysters for breakfast for those hungry for aphrodisiacs. But instead of getting the girl of your dreams, following that advice could give you hepatitis A.

The reason? Shellfish (oysters, mussels, cockles, or clams) are more likely to transmit the disease. This is because shellfish filter large amounts of water and tend to leave large quantities of bacteria and viruses behind, including the one responsible for hepatitis A.

This was the sad experience of China which had three separate hepatitis A epidemics in 1978, 1982 and 1988 - all attributed to eating raw shellfish. The largest outbreak occurred in Shanghai in 1988, affecting about 300,000 people with 45 fatalities, according to Stephen C. Hadler of the Center for Infectious Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

"The first documented .outbreak of hepatitis A due to ingestion of shellfish was reported in 1956 when 600 Swedes who had eaten oysters harvested from waters contaminated with human sewage, contracted the disease. Since that time, numerous outbreaks have been reported from Europe, the USA, Asia, and Australia. While cultivation and distribution of shellfish is often carefully regulated, the nature of the business makes policing of the laws extremely difficult. Harvests are often provided to a variety of wholesalers who, in turn, supply a number of outlets. These factors, together with the prolonged incubation period, make shellfish-associated infection difficult to investigate so that many probably go undetected," revealed Ian D. Gust in "Epidemiological Patterns of Hepatitis A in Different Parts of the World" published in the journal Vaccine.

Believe it or not swimming can make you susceptible to hepatitis A. This was reported by Dr. Frank J. Mahoney of the CDC in an article in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

In that article, Mahoney said 20 people aged four to 36 succumbed to hepatitis A in 1989 after swimming in contaminated water in a campground in Louisiana.

Prior to the outbreak, the victims swam in two public pools - a Jacuzzi pool and an adult pool which investigators said could have been contaminated with fecal material or raw sewage owing to the pools' unusual design and filtering system. That plus the behavior of the swimmers (who either swallowed or spit water while swimming) put them at great risk for contracting hepatitis A.

"We speculate that the pools may have been contaminated either by fecal contamination from one of the swimmers or by cross-connection with the sewage. Several people reported that children wearing diapers were allowed to swim in the pools on the weekend in question. The management at the campground reported that fecal contamination of the pools by swimmers was not uncommon," Mahoney and his colleagues said. (Next: Homosexuals at risk for hepatitis A.)

Oyster Can Give You Hepatitis A

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Diagnosing Liver Disease

The liver is very well connected to the other organs and systems in your body. This is the reason why it is very difficult to diagnose a disease that is connected to the liver. The only way to find out for certain that the disease is indeed related to the liver is by doing a very thorough examination. It is not uncommon for a person who is suffering from a liver disease to experience symptoms that is characteristic of another disorder relating another organ or system.

Medical History

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Since the symptoms of liver disease are very subtle, it is very difficult to diagnose during its early stages. This is why it is very important to have routine checkups, along with urine and blood samples if you know that you have a family history of liver disorders. Liver problems can also occur in situations where a person?s diabetes is poorly controlled.

Physical Exam

There are many symptoms that may show up during a physical examination that will indicate possible liver problems. Some of the possible symptoms that may be detected if you have liver problems would be enlarged lymph nodes. This could be caused by a secondary bacterial infection. Other symptoms include bruising and a high fever.

Urinalysis

There are many things a urine examination can tell about what is going on with the body. They can tell us what types of toxins there might be in the body, as well as tell what your body is lacking.

Blood Panel

Getting a complete blood count, as well as a biochemistry panel done by your health care provider would be a smart decision if you know that you are at risk for a potential liver disorder. This is to make sure that you are in good health and that your liver is in good working order. If you are already suffering from any symptoms that might indicate a liver disorder, then you should get these tests performed as soon as possible.

Diagnosing Liver Disease

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