Liver Disease Specialist

What is liver disease?

Your liver is responsible for assisting in the digestion of food, removing toxins from your body, and storing the energy you need to function.

There are a variety of diseases that can affect the health of your liver and its function, including hepatitis.

What are other common liver diseases?

Diseases that commonly affect the liver include:

Cirrhosis

Scar tissue can form on the liver from an injury or due to underlying health issues and disrupt the normal function of the organ.

Liver cancer

Cancerous cells can form in the liver and spread to nearby organs and other parts of the body. Risk factors for liver cancer include heavy alcohol consumption, cirrhosis, ,elevated iron, infection, and obesity.

Fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or steatohepatitis (NASH/NAFLD)

Fatty liver disease is a condition that results when too much fat builds up in the liver, often due to excessive alcohol use or because of inflammation.

What are the symptoms of liver disease?

Symptoms of liver disease can worsen over time, and you must schedule a diagnostic evaluation as soon as you notice potential signs of illness. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Jaundice/ Yellow skin
• Dark urine
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Swelling in the ankles and legs
  
  

You may develop jaundice, a condition that describes yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. Liver disease can also make you more susceptible to bruising easily.

How is a liver disease diagnosed?

During an evaluation, your Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants provider reviews your personal and family medical history and discusses your symptoms. They perform a physical exam, checking for areas of swelling or pain in your abdomen.

You may also need additional diagnostic testing, such as blood work to rule out infection and evaluate liver function. Imaging tests, like an ultrasound, can identify other potential causes of your symptoms.

How is liver disease treated?

Your treatment plan for liver disease depends on the type of condition you have and its severity. If you have cirrhosis or alcohol-induced liver disease, you need to stop drinking and improve your diet to support healthy liver function. Losing weight can also help you manage an existing liver disease and its symptoms.

If you have infectious hepatitis, you may need antiviral drugs to treat the disease.

If you need help managing a liver disease or have unexplained liver-related symptoms, schedule a consultation at Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants today, online, or by calling the office.