How to Treat Liver Disease
3 min readWhen you suffer from liver disease, you may be wondering how to treat it and what to do. It is important to understand the causes and symptoms, and to know the right treatment. In this article, we’ll give you the basics of liver disease treatment and what you should expect from each type of treatment. If you’re already suffering from the condition, read on to find out how you can start the healing process. You might be surprised to know that some liver conditions are completely curable.
If you suspect you have liver disease, the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with a healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional will examine your medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms and eating habits. He may also ask you questions about any medications you are taking and whether you’ve had any previous illnesses related to your liver. He or she may also suggest that you get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B to help protect your liver.
Liver inflammation can cause swelling and fibrosis. Left untreated, it can cause scarring in the liver and cause the organ to stop functioning. Then, the healthy parts of the liver work much harder and your brain functions will be affected. Liver damage can lead to brain disorders, confusion, and even cirrhosis. To prevent this from occurring, you should be sure to visit a healthcare provider regularly. This way, your healthcare provider can monitor your condition as needed.
There are many types of liver disease. The first type is called cirrhosis, and is caused by chronic injury to the liver. When this happens, scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and partially blocks blood flow through the liver. It is very difficult for the liver to function properly and will hinder the ability to clear up toxins from the blood. Other forms of liver disease include hepatitis A (which is caused by the hepatitis virus) and hepatitis B, which also causes inflammation of the liver. Then there are liver tumors, which can be benign or malignant.
In severe cases, liver failure can be life-threatening and is the last stage of many forms of liver disease. It usually develops gradually over many years, but it can also happen suddenly within 48 hours of onset. Acute failure is more difficult to detect in its early stages, and it may take a while for symptoms to show. Symptoms of liver failure include muscle wasting and itching, and even kidney failure. It’s important to know what to expect from your treatment, especially if it’s in an advanced stage.
Treatment for acute liver failure depends on the cause of the failure. Aside from medication, you may also need to undergo surgery to replace the damaged liver tissue. Your doctor may suggest some medications to relieve the symptoms, including N-acetylcysteine or activated charcoal. If you’re taking acetaminophen, you should take activated charcoal to reduce absorption. Likewise, N-acetylcysteine can be taken orally or by vein.