Ways to Avoid Liver Problems

The liver is a vital organ in the human body that performs more than 500 functions. A healthy liver helps to process food nutrients very well and aids in removing toxins from the body. It is important for everyone to keep their liver in good condition to maintain overall health and wellness. If one feels any kind of liver issues, he/she must get the liver checked by a liver specialist in a renowned hospital. Here are some helpful ways to keep the liver healthy.

Eat a balanced diet

Food plays a vital part in maintaining the overall health. Thus, a balanced diet is essential to keep the liver healthy. Follow a diet that is rich in whole grains, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. In addition, reduce the intake of red meat, soda, and sugar. It is better to replace butter with canola or olive oil.

Cut back on alcohol

Excessive intake of alcohol can result in severe liver damage and may even cause scarring (cirrhosis) in it. Those who are already facing a liver issue must avoid alcohol completely as even a small quantity can cause severe effects on the liver.

Be physically active 

Daily workouts are important to keep the overall body and liver fit and healthy. You can join a gym or prefer aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling or swimming to improve the liver health. Aerobic exercises also help to strengthen your heart muscle.

Stay well-hydrated

Dehydration can build up toxins in the body that make the liver weak and also affect kidneys, liver, and bowel function. Water helps to sustain the fluid quantity in the blood, so stay hydrated.

In addition to the abovementioned tips, people should also avoid smoking as it affects the liver, heart, and lungs. Those who find any kind of signs of liver problems must consult a doctor. They can contact a liver specialist  Gangaram hospital, a reputed hospital in India.

Hepatology: An Overview of this Branch of Medical Science

Hepatology is a prominent branch of medical science. It deals with the study, prevention, treatment, and management of various ailments that affect the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and biliary tree. 

There are a number of crucial ailments that hepatologists deal with frequently, alcohol-related liver diseases and viral hepatitis being two of the most common ones. Hepatitis is a disease that is known to affect millions of people across the planet every year. This disease may also cause various long-term problems in the form of liver cancer and other severe medical conditions. Hepatitis B and C are, in particular, considered to be the two major factors that can eventually cause liver cancer in individuals. A high level of alcohol abuse, on the other hand, is quite commonly linked with medical conditions like liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

A brief insight on the medical professionals specialising in Hepatology

Hepatology was traditionally considered to be a subspecialty of gastroenterology. It has, however, over the years emerged as a freestanding specialty, as many doctors nowadays choose to specialise in this domain of medical science. People can find some of the best hepatologists Delhi, Mumbai, Gurgaon and many other urban centers of the nation.
 

The liver is a critical organ that can be affected by a number of factors. Hence, this organ is typically the key focal point in hepatology. A number of hepatologists only assess patients after they have been referred by relevant doctors. Many hepatologists may also be involved in the follow-up of patients who have gone through a liver transplant. 

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograph: This is a technique that combines the use of both fluoroscopy and endoscopy for the purpose of diagnosing and treating various pancreatic and biliary ailments. 
• Transhepatic pancreato-cholangiography: This is a type of an X-ray procedure that helps in detecting obstruction in the liver or bile ducts of the body. 
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: This is an artificial channel that is made in order to create a connection between the portal and hepatic veins.
• Apart from caring for the patients, hepatologists may also be involved in conducting valuable research.

Symptoms and Indications of Liver Failure

Liver failure occurs when a major part of the liver gets damaged and is beyond any cure. Liver failure is an extremely life-threatening and severe medical condition, and thus needs urgent medical attention. People should consult a good liver specialist Gangaram Hospital or some other renowned medical facility, in case they face any risk of having a liver failure.

In most cases, liver failure tends to occur slowly over multiple years. However, there is a rare condition known as acute liver failure, where the condition takes place more rapidly and may even occur over a period of 48 hours. Acute liver failure is quite difficult to detect in its initial stages. Liver failure may or may not be reversible, depending on its type and the overall extent of its severity.

In order to prevent this severe medical condition as well as take immediate preventive actions, it is important that people are aware of its various early symptoms. Here are some of the major symptoms of liver failure:

• Jaundice
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Feeling of nausea 
• Vomiting
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Confusion and anxiety
• Disturbed sleep
• Abdominal pain towards the right side of the body

There are multiple factors that may lead to liver failure, as well as its diverse symptoms. Here are some of them:

There are certain types of medications whose intake can eventually lead to liver failure. These medicines may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, as well as particular antibiotics. There are a few types of herbal medicines that may lead to liver failure as well, including skullcap, ephedra and kava.

• Medical condition due to which the veins of the liver get blocked can also lead to liver failure. The Budd-Chiari syndrome is one such medical condition. Certain metabolic ailments like the Wilson's disease can also result in liver failure.
• An overdose of acetaminophen can at times lead to liver failure too.
• Acute liver failure might be caused due to viruses like hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis E.
• Liver failure may take place when the liver gets affected by cancer. 
• In order to reduce the risk of liver failure, limiting the intake of alcohol and tobacco, and getting vaccinations for hepatitis or any similar ailment that are known to primarily impact the liver are a must.