Swollen liver, as the name suggests, is a condition in which the liver swells up and becomes larger than usual due to a whole of potential liver problems. Swollen liver is a symptom. It is not a disease in and of itself.
Another name for this condition is enlarged liver. The curative name is hepatomegaly.
Generally speaking, no symptoms of swollen liver appear in the early stages of a problem. However, as the basal disease or condition progresses, symptoms are likely to gift themselves.
Normally, an adult liver weighs between three and four pounds or 1.5 kilograms. It's shaped somewhat like a wedge and in most normal adults, is about the size of a small American football.
Swollen liver often occurs due to one or a blend of causes. The proximity of hepatitis and cirrhosis are among the most common. Hepatitis is usually caused by a virus, but may also be caused by excessive use of alcohol. Alcohol abuse often the cause of cirrhosis.
Cancer is another frequent cause, as is an infection. Liver infections often accompany illnesses like malaria and mononucleosis.
Fatty liver disease, in which fat accumulates in the liver and impairs function, is another base cause. Fatty liver disease recently replaced cirrhosis as the whole one cause of liver problems in the United States and Canada.
The first step in treating swollen liver is to diagnose the basal problem. Treating the cause is your doctor's best opportunity for reducing the swelling. If swelling of the liver has been triggered by cancer or an infection, it is requisite to treat these disorders immediately.
If alcohol-induced hepatitis or cirrhosis caused by drinking is the cause, use of alcohol has to stop right away. If swelling in the liver is not linked to alcohol use or a liver-related condition, then your doctor is probably going to ask you to make some lifestyle changes. Diet and exercise are foremost in both treating and preventing swollen liver.
If you think you are at risk for swollen liver, there are some things you can do right away to avoid it.
If you drink alcohol usually or heavily, whether slow down or stop. If you don't stop completely, be sure never take medications at the same time. Doing so can seriously harm your liver.
Take only medications or supplements that have been popular ,favorite by your physician, and never exceed recommended doses. Also consult with your doctor before trying herbal supplements you have not taken previously: obvious supplements can damage the liver. You should also take great care with vitamins because some vitamin combinations can cause liver damage.
Be especially cautious around the household cleaners, sprays, insect killers and other chemicals. If you work with these substances, ensure that you are in an area that has fullness of clean air available. Some household cleaners are particularly risky for the liver.
Swollen Liver Causes, Dangers