Liver Disease: Symptoms and Causes

The liver is an important organ, as it helps in digesting food and eliminating waste products from the body. Anyone can get liver disease; it can be genetic, virus-borne, or due to some lifestyle factors. Alcohol use and obesity can also damage the liver.

It is necessary to treat liver damage, as untreated damage can lead to cirrhosis, which in turn, can result in liver failure. Hence, finding a good liver specialist should be a priority, especially if you or a loved one experience one or all of the following symptoms.

Symptoms of Liver Disease

Symptoms of liver disease are as follows:

· Yellowing of the skin and eyes

· Pain and swelling in the abdomen

· Edema of the legs and ankles

· Dark-colored urine

· Itching of the skin

· Tar-colored, bloody, or pale-colored stool

· Constant and persistent fatigue

· Skin gets bruised easily

· Appetite loss

· Vomiting and/or nausea

If you are in Delhi, you can visit Gangaram hospital if you experience these symptoms. Book your appointment with the best liver specialist in Gangaram Hospital, to make sure your condition is treated immediately.

Causes of Liver Disease

There are many causes of liver disease. Some of the most common causes are highlighted below:

Genetics: If a person inherits an abnormal gene from one or both parents, it can results in toxic substances building up in the liver, leading to liver damage. Some of the liver diseases that are genetic in nature include hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, and hyperoxaluria.

Infection: Parasitical or viral infection can cause the liver to inflame. This adversely affects the functioning of the organ. It has been observed that viral infection can enter the body through contaminated water or food, blood, semen, or by coming in close contact with an already infected person. Viruses that cause hepatitis are the most common cause of liver infection.

Autoimmune Disease: Sometimes, the immune system of the body begins attacking different parts of the body for no reason. This is known as autoimmune disease. The liver too can be attacked by the immune system. Some of the most common liver autoimmune diseases are autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Cancer of the liver or bile duct, alcoholism, and fat build up in the liver are some of the other causes of liver disease. Obesity is also considered a risk factor and it can increase your chances of developing a liver disease.

Understanding the causes and symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is ranked as the fourth most common cause of mortality because of the poor survival associated with it. However, developed countries have a lower incidence of the cases of pancreatic cancer. 

Causes of Pancreatic Cancer

According to the medical experts, the precise cause of pancreatic cancer is still a topic which is being researched upon. However, reports have found genetics to play a crucial role in this disease. Genetics plays an important part not only in this but also in other types of cancers. Those who have a medical history of this disease are more prone to get diagnosed with this type of cancer. 

Apart from this, there are a number of diseases which are also considered to be the cause of pancreatic cancer:

· Familial adenomatous polyposis

· Familial breast cancer associated with the BRAC2 gene

· Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome)

· Hereditary pancreatitis

· Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (a form of skin cancer)

The risk of pancreatic cancer is increased in case the person has family members who have been diagnosed with any of the above-mentioned diseases. Also, smoking, improper diet, and chemical exposure are some of the causes which result in pancreatic cancer. 

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

If the person is aware of the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, then he/she can stay alert and take proper treatment on time.

Now, let us look at the signs and symptoms of this disease:

· Pain in upper abdomen which might extend to middle or upper region of back

· Weight loss

· Severe itching due to increased formation of bile acids

· Nausea

· Digestive problems

In case, the person notices any of the below mentioned signs and symptoms, he or she can consider visiting the best pancreas specialist in Delhi, Mumbai, or any other city.

Many times, pancreatic cancer causes Jaundice. This happens because a pancreatic tumour obstructs or blocks the flow of bile. And due to this, the bilirubin, which is formed owing to worn out cells, is not able to get eliminated, which in turn leads to jaundice. However, nausea and vomiting become more common during the last stage of this disease. Thus, it is crucial for the person to have the awareness of the signs and symptoms of this fatal disease.

Healing the Hidden Organ

What is Pancreas?

The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen which helps with the digestion of food and converting it into fuel for the cells. It is also the organ which regulates the blood sugar. It is located behind the stomach surrounded by the liver, spleen and the small intestine. 

Functions of the Pancreas

The pancreas produces the enzymes which digest the food we eat, including those which digest the proteins and carbohydrates and to break down the fats. It is also responsible to produce insulin, which lowers the blood sugar, and glucagon which raises the blood sugar. It is important to maintain the blood sugar levels in the body as these help with the functioning of the brain, liver and kidneys. 

Conditions affecting the pancreas

Pancreatitis

This is a condition in which the Pancreas are inflamed due to the build-up of the pancreatic enzymes. This build up causes the organ to digest itself, a condition which causes painful attacks over a period of days or years. 

Pancreatic Cancer

Many a times tumours begin to form on the walls of the pancreas or within the pancreas itself. This condition is harmful as it is hard to detect. It can spread within the abdomen and can prove life threatening too. 

Diabetes and your pancreas

Due to condition arising within the human body, the pancreas sometimes is unable to produce insulin. This causes glucose to build up in the blood stream, leading to a condition called diabetes. 

Type 1 diabetes is largely a genetic condition. This condition causes the pancreas to stop insulin production early on in life. This condition needs the administration of insulin externally. 

Type 2 diabetes begins with insulin resistance. This can arise due to environmental factors, stress or genetic condition. The body produces insulin but is unable to use it properly. Oral medication can help in this condition. But advanced symptoms need to be treated with insulin therapy. 

Pancreas specialist in Delhi

Pancreas specialist in Delhi

Today’s lifestyle is proving to be detrimental to the human body. Long workhours, unhealthy eating habits, stress levels and pollution are all taking a toll on the human body. This is leading to a rise in diseases like pancreatitis and lifestyle disorders like diabetes. To treat such a delicate organ in the human body, you need specialists who can treat the root cause of the disease, and not just the symptoms. 

We can help you find Pancreas specialists in Delhi who can help you heal and become whole again. 

An overview of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and its Treatment

Normally liver diseases are associated with the consumption of alcohol. However, it has been observed that unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles can result in liver diseases as well. Since, these liver diseases are not associated with the consumption of alcohol, these liver ailments are known as Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). As the name suggests, the primary problem faced by patients suffering from NAFLD is deposition of fat in the liver. Fat deposition in any organ of the human body can be extremely dangerous. However, the problem becomes more acute if the deposition occurs in the liver, as this organ is directly associated with the digestive system. Deposit of fat in the liver can adversely affect the digestive system of the patient making the ailment all the more acute. Some of the causes, symptoms and treatment of NAFLD have been discussed below.

Understanding the Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The Best of liver specialists in Gangaram hospital mention that NAFLD is primarily caused by obesity, diabetes, Dyslipidemian or starvation. NAFLD is the deposition of fat in the liver, but it does not cause inflammation and is also benign. In most cases it has been found that unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise are the primary causes behind NAFLD. In most cased NAFLD can be treated by bringing about a change in the lifestyle of the patient and introducing healthy eating habits. Some of the symptoms of NAFLD and the treatment of the disease are as follows:

· NAFLD often causes acute pain in the abdomen and also your digestion will be severely affected.

· The disease if detected early usually does not become acute and can be treated with medications.

· The main treatment for NAFLD is leading a healthier life style. If the doctor diagnoses that obesity is the cause for NAFLD, then the patient should work towards leading a healthy life, exercising regularly and weight management.

Thus, NAFLD can be treated with medication and lifestyle modifications. So consult a gastroenterologist at the earliest if you have been suffering from abdominal pain and digestive disorder for some time and follow the instructions of the doctor diligently. 

Know more about acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease caused by the substances like Alcohol, Gallstones, and infections. It is a painful disease that can be developed quickly and become fatal. With the advancement in the medical field, people who are affected with acute pancreatitis can be treated earlier before it gets worse.

Image: Source

What is Acute Pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis is sudden onset of severe inflammation in pancreas manifesting as pain in abdomen, abdomen distension, vomiting and constipation.

Causes of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis can be suddenly caused if there is chronic pancreatitis recurring or persistent. There are some cases of pancreatitis which are mild and can go away on their own without treatment. But if it is left untreated they can lead to fatal complications, including death.

Alcohol misuse

If the person has been consuming alcohol then it can hit trypsin and make one more prone to be affected by acute pancreatitis. Trypsin is a digestive enzyme produced in the pancreas in an inactive form but alcohol makes it active.  Study and researchers believe that ethanol molecules affect the pancreas cells, triggering them to activate trypsin prematurely.

Gallstones

Normally if the person is affected with acute pancreatitis linked to gallstones, it is advised by the doctors to an elective removal of the gallbladder. Gallstones are small, pebble-like formations that develop in the gallbladder, often if there is too much cholesterol in the bile. These gallstones sometimes get stuck and cause a blockage of the bile ducts and into the intestines. It will also affect the pancreas and prevent it from releasing its enzymes in the intestines.

Infections

Bacterial infections can also be a factor that can lead to acute pancreatitis include Salmonellosis, Legionnaires' disease, and viruses, such as hepatitis B, mumps, coxsackievirus, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus.

Symptoms

• Decreased urinary output
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Respiratory distress
• Loss of appetite
• Rapid pulse
• Pain with coughing, vigorous movements, and deep breathing
• tenderness when the abdomen is touched

Treatment to cure acute pancreatitis will depend on the severity of the disease. No matter it is mild or severe, it can find out only through the specialized doctor for the pancreas. If you find any of these symptoms visit the best pancreas specialist in Delhi and get it diagnosed as earlier to avoid future loss.