Health & Fitness Tools

Do I Have An Enlarged Liver? What Are The Dangers?

12th November, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Enlarged liver can be caused by a variety of disorders or illnesses. Depending on the severity of the abnormal growth, there can be serious medical consequences. In some patients the liver becomes only slightly enlarged. In others, it can grow quite big and be described as grossly enlarged. Some have described the human liver as resembling a small American football in shape. It usually weighs between three and four pounds, or one and a half kilograms.

An enlarged liver is also called hepatomegaly by doctors and medical professionals.

An enlarged liver is usually a symptom of some other liver problem. It is not considered a disease in and of itself.

An enlarged liver can occur for a number of reasons. The most frequently diagnosed causes include the following.

* Several types of hepatitis.

* Polycystic liver disease, which is characterized by the growth of cysts on the liver.

* Mononucleosis, malaria, and certain other diseases which trigger infections in the liver.

* Liver cysts, which are roundish or sac-like shapes that grow on the liver. Sometimes these sacs are empty, or sometimes they contains watery substances or mucous fluids.

* Cirrhosis, typically the result of a disease like hepatitis or an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Cirrhosis is characterized by scarring of liver tissue, which reduces liver function.

* Fatty liver syndrome, or fatty liver disease. Liver function degrades as fat cells build up in the liver. Liver function suffers as a result.

* Certain forms of cancer have been known to cause an enlarged liver. Leukemia is perhaps the most common of these.

Symptoms of an enlarged liver vary depending on the size. If it’s only a slightly enlarged liver, there may be no symptoms at all. But a grossly enlarged liver causes a feeling of fullness and possibly some discomfort in the abdomen.

When symptoms of an enlarged liver appear, they may include one or more of the following.

* Ascites, or fluid in the abdomen.

* Cholestasis, a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver through the bile ducts is obstructed.

* Jaundice, which causes the skin and eyes to take on a yellow color.

Once your enlarged liver causes have been pinpointed, treatment can begin. Excessive alcohol use is a frequent cause of an enlarged liver. When this is the case, your doctor will tell you to stop drinking. If alcohol is not one of the causes, then some lifestyle changes might be in order. Exercise and weight control become extremely important.

If you want to prevent any future problems from an enlarged liver, here are some commonly accepted recommendations.

Avoid alcohol completely, or keep drinking to a minimum. Never drink while taking medications.

If you’re taking multiple medications, be sure you’ve talked about them with your doctor. Also make sure you follow dosage instructions.

Keep in mind that some herbal supplements can potentially cause liver trouble. Only take herbal supplements after discussions with your health care provider.

Be aware that certain vitamin combinations – notably A, D, E and K – have the potential to cause liver trouble.

Take care when using aerosol cleaners, insecticides and other toxic chemicals. Keep the area well ventilated. There are a variety of household cleaners that contain toxins that can be harmful to the liver.

Finally – and perhaps most important of all – eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly. Diet and exercise are the best ways to avoid an enlarged liver.

Related topics: liver problems and reasons for enlarged liver. Neal Kennedy is a former radio and TV reporter. To read more of his articles, click on Liver Health.