Liver Importance
Dear reader,
Today, I would like to
share my views about the importance of human liver. Our discussion starts with
the following figure.
Scarred Liver:
a. Fatty Livers:
Sedentary lifestyle(without any physical work after taking food) higher intake
of fatty foods, higher alcohol consumption and smoking are widely
practiced in today's generation. Who is recklessly taking their liver, for
granted to clean up the mess?
b. Recognize the signs of Liver under
attack:
Scar tissue build up leading to cirrhosis is a slow gradual process as
cirrhosis scar tissues slowly replace with the healthy liver tissue. Liver
first swells and then starts shrinking upon degrading of cirrhosis. In early
state, cirrhosis are asymptomatic, wherein the liver still continues to
function but as the disease progress, liver shrinks. We observe the following.
i. Itching
ii. Edema
iii. Fatigue
iv. Weakness and nausea
v. Weight loss due to loss of appetite.
vi. Fluid bluish in abdomen.
vii. Confusion and slurred speech.
c. Diagnosis the cirrhosis liver:
General factors such as alcohol consumption, obesity, hepatitis infections
etc., play a vital role in directing the diagnosis of cirrhosis along with
analyzing the patient medical and functional history.
d. Blood test:
This includes for ANA(Anti-Nuclear Antibody), AMA(Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody),
Blood alcohol level, hepatitis infections and iron levels to determine the
factor of cirrhosis.
e. Liver function test:
A sample of blood taken to determine the
liver damage upon the estimation of excessive levels of bilirubin released when
red blood cells are break down. Others are analyzed under the liver function
test intake albumin, globulin, total serum protein where enzymes like aspirate
aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase.
f. Kidney function test:
Later stages of cirrhosis are marked by a
reduce in kidney function, which is determined by testing creatinine levels.
g. Clotting test:
Prothrombin time and the international
normalized ratio tests are commonly recommended to assess liver function. This
test measure the time taken by the blood to clot and elevated results are
considered to be an indicator of liver disease.
Acute Viral Hepatitis:
A series of blood tests are performed to
detect any current or past hepatitis A, B, C and infections to further observe
diagnose acute liver function.
Treatment:
Early cirrhosis is deal by providing target treatment of it's various casual
factors such as treatment program for alcohol consumption, controlling blood
sugar levels and weight, medications to control Hepatitis infections. There
exist no single treatment to cure cirrhosis or repair already scarred liver.
But, as per the cause, and extent of liver damage suggest lifestyle and dietary
changes.
Coping with cirrhosis:
Suffering from a chronic cirrhosis is not
easy and takes a full even on the strongest and healthiest mind. A condition
like cirrhosis need proper care and follow ups when affected gets regular
treatment.
1. Proper vaccinations against infections like Influenza, Pneumonia, Hepatitis
etc. should be taken.
2. Limit the salt amount and protein in your diet.
3. Keep proper dental hygiene to avoid any mouth inflammation and gum bleeding.
This disease does not happen in a day. It may be a silent killer. For years
damaging liver without any symptoms. Or may have with some complications when
lifestyle involved consume drinking and addictive smoking much to the ignore
for years by the affected cirrhosis is fatal if left attended. The therefore,
do not take liver for granted to clean up the toxins accumulations.
Detoxifying blood from harmful substances like alcohol, bacteria, chemicals, to
storing vitamins, iron in blood and sugar glucose. Destroying old red blood
cells and aiding in digestion by secreting bile. Our body largest glandular
organ liver is a multi-worker.
Liver health is important for maintain metabolism. And to perform over 500
functions important for survival. It not only aid in production of blood clotting
protein i.e., K-Vitamin. But also, absorb dietary fats, cholesterol, Vitamins
A, E and D working throughout the day and processing everything ingested.
Blessed with the wonderful capacity to regenerate liver cells(Hepatocytes) have
regenerate and grow back from as little as 25% available liver mess. After a
surgical removal this regeneration start to fail when an individual is severely
affected by a prolonged or severe alcohol consumption. Taking excess deposit of
components, i.e., glycoproteins, collagens etc., that creates excessive fibrous
scar tissues and abnormal regenerative nodules. The blood flow through liver
and slowly the production of proteins and other substances. The
processing of drugs, toxins continuously injure liver over time leading to
liver cirrhosis. A medical condition which convert a normal liver architecture
into that of structurally abnormal nodules and fibrous scar tissues.
With this information, I
hope you would understand the importance of Liver. Please feel free to give
comments or suggestions in the below section. See you in my next article.
Thank You.
