If you have a liver disease, you might be referred to a specialist in liver problems hepatologist. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a specific test. Make a list of:. Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you're given. Unsupported Browser! This website will offer limited functionality in this browser. We only support the recent versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Enlarged liver. Overview An enlarged liver is one that's bigger than normal. An enlarged liver can have many possible causes. Symptoms An enlarged liver might not cause symptoms. When enlarged liver results from liver disease, it might be accompanied by: Abdominal pain Fatigue Nausea and vomiting Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes jaundice When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms that worry you.
Causes The liver is a large, football-shaped organ found in the upper right portion of your abdomen. Risk factors You're more likely to develop an enlarged liver if you have a liver disease. Factors that can increase your risk of liver problems include: Excessive alcohol use.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol can be damaging to your liver. Herbal supplements. Certain supplements, including black cohosh, ma huang and valerian, can increase your risk of liver damage.
Infectious diseases, viral, bacterial or parasitic, can increase your risk of liver damage. Hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis A, B and C can cause liver damage. Poor eating habits. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Hammer GD, et al. Liver disease.
New York, N. Accessed Feb. Curry MP, et al. Hepatomegaly: Differential diagnosis and evaluation. American Liver Foundation. Diet and your liver. Drug record: Herbal and dietary supplements. Some potential treatment options include:. The treatment for liver cancer will partly depend on whether the cancer is primary or secondary. Other factors to consider include the size and stage of the cancer. Although there is currently no cure for heart failure, there are treatments available that can help manage the condition and prevent further complications.
Some examples include:. Some women experience hepatomegaly during pregnancy. Some causes of hepatomegaly during pregnancy can severely affect the health of the woman and the fetus. In infants, hepatitis B infections can be severe or even life threatening. Children who have the condition do not usually experience any outward symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they tend to include fatigue and discomfort in the upper right abdomen. However, it appears to be more common among children with the following conditions:.
The extent to which a slightly enlarged liver is dangerous depends on the reason for the enlargement. However, it could be an indication that a person should consider making some lifestyle changes. That said, certain conditions can cause a slightly enlarged liver to become a significantly enlarged and damaged liver without treatment. Such conditions include:. In general, mild hepatomegaly indicates that it is time to visit a doctor for a full physical evaluation.
Hepatomegaly usually does not cause any symptoms. In fact, the liver conditions that lead to hepatomegaly can progress significantly without causing any symptoms at all.
The outlook for people with hepatomegaly depends on the cause of the hepatomegaly and the extent of the liver damage. A mildly damaged liver can often repair itself if a person makes the necessary lifestyle changes early on.
The main symptom, potbelly, often signals cirrhosis. Bruising A damaged liver produces fewer of the proteins necessary for blood clotting, which means you may bleed and bruise more easily. Fatigue and Weakness It can be easy to dismiss fatigue and lethargy as a normal side effect of a stressful life, but severe exhaustion could point to low blood-oxygen levels and waste accumulation.
Loss of Appetite Nausea, a disinterest in food and weight loss are some early symptoms of liver problems. Jaundice As liver function declines and waste can no longer be eliminated from the body efficiently, the bile pigment called bilirubin can build up in the bloodstream.
Abdominal Pain When cirrhosis begins to cause pain, it typically appears in the upper right abdomen, or just under the lower right ribs. Personality Changes Cognitive issues can develop when toxins accumulate in the blood and move to the brain. Spotting the symptoms of liver damage early is vital for effective treatment. Published on: April 26,
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