Hepatic steatosis | The best diets, treatments and cures for hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) reviewed here. Get all the information you need to fight hepatic steatosis. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/ en-us health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com 2011 Hepatic Steatosis Hepatic Steatosis ICD 9 Code Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease, is an affliction that strikes approximately twenty percent of the adult population. It is associated with obesity (75% of obese people have this disorder) and with alcoholism or excessive alcohol consumption. It takes the form of fatty deposits forming in the liver. It can lead to complications including liver cancer, fibrosis of the liver and cirrhosis of the liver. It is usually asymptomatic and can be treated with diet, exercise, and (where appropriate) reduced alcohol consumption or abstinence from alcohol. The disease is diagnosed in two forms, called alcohol-related hepatic steatosis and non-alcoholic steatosis. The only difference between the two is the cause, however; the way the disease progresses and potential complications are identical. Because the cause is different, though, treatment emphasis differs between the two. Someone diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver whose alcohol consumption is moderate or nonexistent would not treat the disease by reducing alcohol consumption but rather by losing weight or changing diet and exercise regimens. Hepatic Steatosis And ICD-9/10 The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, also known as the ICD classification system, includes chronic alcoholic and nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis as diseases of the digestive system (520-579). The ICD-9 gives nonalcoholic fatty liver the designation 571.8 and alcoholic fatty liver as 571.0. These designations are used for billing and claim purposes such as with Medicare. In the new version, ICD-10, fatty liver is classified as K76.0 or K76.8. Hepatic Steatosis And Hepatomegaly Hepatomegaly, or enlarged liver, can sometimes be associated with hepatic steatosis, although it also has other causes including infections, toxins, cancers, and alcoholism (the latter also being a common cause of fatty liver disease, of course). Sometimes an enlarged liver with its symptoms can lead to a diagnosis of hepatic steatosis. However, very often hepatic steatosis is asymptomatic and is not associated with hepatomegaly. Diagnosis in that case is less obvious, and generally results from routine blood work revealing an elevation of liver enzymes. Diagnosis Of Hepatic Steatosis The first indication of hepatic steatosis is usually an elevation of liver enzyme levels detected through a blood test. Afterwards, a screen is used to eliminate hepatitis, which can also cause elevated enzymes (and is usually a much more serious illness). The next step is a visual diagnosis using ultrasound or other imaging technology, which can reveal the presence of fatty deposits in the liver. The final step is to assess the patient's alcohol intake and so differentiate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver. Because liver conditions can be the result of very serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses, it's important to eliminate these possibilities from the diagnosis before proceeding with treatment for hepatic steatosis. It's also important to isolate the likely cause before treatment is undertaken. Treatment Of Hepatic Steatosis Treatment of hepatic steatosis or fatty liver generally does not involve drugs, surgery, or any other invasive medical procedures but relies on diet and other lifestyle measures. If the disease is alcohol-related, obviously a reduction (or elimination) of alcohol indicate is indicated. If it's not, usually controlled and gradual weight loss will reduce the syndrome. More aggressive treatment is only likely if complications develop such as liver cancer or cirrhosis. In some of those cases, a liver transplant may even be necessary. Hepatic steatosis is on the increase in the population. The most likely explanation for this is that it arises from the increase in obesity. Obesity is also associated with other chronic problems that are on the rise, including diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. Good diet high in fiber and low in fat can help reduce all of these conditions, not just fatty liver disease. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/ 10 Nov 2011 06:48:24 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Enlarged Liver Treatment Enlarged liver, or heptomegaly, is a syndrome in which the liver swells up bigger than its normal size. Enlarged liver can be a sign of many different liver diseases and is always an indication of a potentially serious condition. While many liver diseases can exist "under the radar," without any symptoms, and not be considered a serious health risk, when symptoms such as enlarged liver do occur that is generally a sign of something to be taken seriously. Symptoms Of Enlarged Liver Enlarged liver is sometimes accompanied by pain in the upper-right side of the torso, over the liver. Also, it is often accompanied by other signs of liver disease, such as generalized body pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and swelling of the abdomen. An enlarged liver will also be easily revealed by any of several diagnostic imaging techniques, including ultrasound, CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Causes Of Enlarged Liver Enlarged liver is a symptom or complication of a great many different diseases of the liver, including fatty liver disease, fibrosis, cirrhosis, any form of infectious hepatitis (A, B, or C), and cancer of the liver. Any disease that impairs liver functioning to any significant degree can result in enlarged liver, although any of them may not do so as well. The underlying cause of the enlarged liver is the same as the cause of the disease, which may include alcohol abuse, obesity, diabetes, hereditary factors, viral infections (hepatitis), or side effects of various medications. Enlarged Liver In Children Enlarged liver can sometimes appear in children of various ages. It can happen for various causes, not all of them the same as with adults. A child may experience enlarged liver as a result of a viral infection such as hepatitis A, B or C (sometimes acquired neonatally); Alagille's syndrome, a narrowing and deterioration of the bile ducts that may happen in the first year of life; galactosemia, an inherited intolerance for milk sugars; Reye's syndrome, a fatty liver disorder associated with childhood use of aspirin especially in conjunction with fever, potentially fatal (and the reason why doctors discourage use of aspirin for childhood diseases such as measles or chicken pox that are often accompanied by fever); high doses of fat-soluble vitamins; as well as many of the usual causes of enlarged liver in adults (although alcohol-related liver disorders are rare in children). Treatment Of Enlarged Liver Treatment of enlarged liver can only begin once the cause of the disorder has been identified as it depends on the underlying condition. The first step in treatment is therefore an exact diagnosis, together with examination to determine how far the swelling has progressed and what other symptoms accompany it (if any). Examination of diet, exercise, alcohol intake, body weight, the presence of other conditions such as diabetes, and similar considerations all go into the diagnosis. Remember that enlarged liver is not a disease but a symptom of various diseases. Obviously if the underlying condition is alcohol-related, the indication is to stop drinking. If obesity is the culprit, a program of diet and exercise is the proper treatment. Enlarged liver resulting from infectious hepatitis may require medication to reduce the swelling, along with treatment for the infection itself. If the condition is a result of a very serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or cancer of the liver, aggressive treatments including radiation and chemotherapy (for cancer) or a liver transplant for imminent or ongoing liver failure may be required. In all cases, enlarged liver is something to take seriously. Your liver is something you cannot survive without, and any overt symptoms of liver disorder demonstrate a significant threat to your health. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/enlarged-liver.html 16 Nov 2011 00:27:20 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Liver Damage From Acetaminophen The liver is one of the most complex of the body's vital organs. It fulfills numerous important metabolic functions, and is complicated in its operations; as a result, it is subject to damage by a wide variety of illnesses and other factors. As well as having many causes, liver damage also has varying manifestations and symptoms, and at worst, when it leads to liver failure, can be fatal. Symptoms Of Liver Damage Very often, minor liver damage occurs without any symptoms at all. When symptoms do manifest, they often indicate that the damage has progressed to a relatively severe stage. Among the symptoms of liver damage are itching, overall body pain, nausea, loss of appetite, enlarged liver (resulting in localized pain over the upper right side of the torso), inflammation of the abdomen, and jaundice. Other indications that you may not perceive yourself include elevated liver enzymes (detectable through a blood test), and fatty deposits, growths and tumors, or fibrous scarring of the liver (detectable through diagnostic imaging such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI). Causes of Liver Damage Liver damage can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, various drugs and medications, and diseases of the liver ranging from the relatively mild and benign (such as fatty liver disease or hemangioma) to the serious and life-threatening (such as cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, or cancer of the liver). Alcohol, Alcoholism, And Liver Damage Alcohol abuse is a factor in serious liver damage probably more often than any other single cause. Liver diseases such as fatty liver and cirrhosis are divided by physicians into alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. Although the two versions of these illnesses are approximately identical in symptoms and prognosis, the differing causes indicate differing treatment regimens. An obvious treatment of alcoholic liver disease is to stop drinking, while that will achieve little if the disease arises from other causes and alcohol intake is moderate or nonexistent. Even when the cause is something other than alcohol, though, an alcohol-free lifestyle may be indicated, as alcohol is likely to aggravate any existing liver conditions. Liver Damage From Acetominophen (Tylenol) There is some evidence of liver damage resulting from excessive intake of the pain reliever acetominophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). There is also some evidence, although it is not unconflicted, of liver damage resulting from non-excessive doses of acetominophen over a long period of time. However, the general conclusion among doctors is that acetominophen is safe to take for patients with mild to moderate liver disease or liver damage as long as recommended doses are not exceeded. In patients with healthy livers, studies have shown that acetominophen can produce elevated liver enzymes, but the enzymes returned to normal when the drug ceased to be taken, producing no long-term effect. Is Liver Damage Reversible? Whether liver damage is reversible depends on how progressed the liver disease becomes and how much and in what form the damage accrues. Mild liver conditions such as fatty liver can often be reversed (causing the fatty deposits to shrink and disappear) with changes in lifestyle, depending on the underlying cause, e.g. cessation of drinking if the cause is alcoholic or diet and exercise changes if the cause is obesity. Serious liver damage such as scarring, fibrosis, and cirrhosis is however irreversible. The progression of the disease may be arrested with lifestyle changes in many cases, but any damage that has already occurred is often irreparable. Severe liver damage leading to liver failure can call for a liver transplant as the only way to restore liver functioning long term. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/liver-damage.html 16 Nov 2011 02:02:23 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Liver Lesions Radiology "Liver lesions" is a term that can be applied to any of various abnormalities of the liver, including those produced by serious conditions such as liver cancer or cirrhosis but much more commonly those that result from more benign conditions such as cysts or liver hemangioma. Statistically, liver lesions are far more often the result of benign causes than of dangerous ones. Benign liver lesions do not become malignant with time. Although liver lesions can be a sign of (or consist of) dangerous liver conditions, most of the time they are not a cause for concern. It is disconcerting to find out that an abnormal growth has appeared on such a vital organ as your liver, but it's a common occurrence and not a reason to panic. Liver Cysts About one person in a hundred will develop cysts on the liver that produce no symptoms and are detectable only with diagnostic imaging such as an ultrasound. In 95 percent of cases, liver cysts pose no threat and are simply cysts. In about half of all cases, patients have two or more cysts rather than just one. Unless the cysts are accompanied by symptoms, your doctor is unlikely to advocate surgical removal or any other treatment. Liver Hemangioma The most common form of liver lesion is liver hemangioma, a benign tumor that normally causes no symptoms and poses no danger. On rare occasions, an especially large hemangioma will cause symptoms such as pain, nausea, or enlarged liver, and may be removed surgically. Otherwise, they pose no danger and no treatment is generally recommended. Liver Cell Adenoma Less common than hemangioma is liver cell adenoma. This non-cancerous tumor or liver lesion is uncommon, but may occur most often in women of childbearing age. An increase in the occurrence of liver cell adenoma during the 1960s on introduction of oral contraceptives. This trend was partially reversed by the reduced dosage of hormones in modern-day birth-control pills. Focal Nodular Hyperplasia Focal nodular hyperplasia is the second most common form of liver lesion, after hemangioma. It is difficult to distinguish from hemangioma without surgical resection. Unlike liver cell adenoma, it has no association with oral contraceptives. Focal nodular hyperplasia is non-malignant, usually asymptomatic, and rarely grows, bleeds, or presents any other significant danger. Fibroma Of The Liver Another common form of benign liver lesion is fibroma. Fibromas are fibrous tumors that can grow in any part of the body. It is composed of fibrous or connective tissues. As with other benign liver lesions, liver fibroma is not malignant, does not present any danger, and is almost always asymptomatic. As with other benign liver lesions, generally speaking no treatment is recommended. Liver Lesions And Cancer Although most liver lesions are asymptomatic, benign, and non-problematic, liver lesions can also in some cases be a form of cancer. Liver cancer can start in the liver or, more commonly, result from a metastasis of a cancer that originates in another part of the body. A liver cancer is, of course, a very serious and potentially life-threatening condition requiring treatment. Like most cancers and also like benign liver lesions it is generally asymptomatic in the early stages. Liver lesions may also result from fibrosis or cirrhosis, the latter particularly being a very serious and potentially dangerous condition requiring treatment and, in extreme cases, a liver transplant. However, cirrhosis of the liver is usually accompanied by symptoms. What you should take away from all this is that liver lesions are not necessarily a cause for concern, but there is a small chance they may be a sign of something serious. If your doctor detects any of these liver abnormalities, don't panic -- but do follow up. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/liver-lesions.html 16 Nov 2011 02:40:32 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Fatty Liver Bible Download The Fatty Liver Bible is based on Debra Elkin's success of beating fatty liver disease with the help of Jacob Ezra. His principles were the same as Dr. Pischinger who uses a holistic approach in reversing liver damage; Dr Ezra specializes in the Liver. With his help, Debra is cured. The liver has over 500 functions but the most important is removing toxins and bacteria, building protein, regulating blood sugar and removing cholesterol from your body - the only organ that can do this! You can end up with an enlarged liver when your liver is not functioning properly. The Fatty Liver Bible & Ezra Protocol is a 163 page ebook that provides a 5-step plan for reversing fatty liver disease, in addition to helping obesity. Fatty Liver Bible And Ezra Protocol With Jacob Ezra Jacob Ezra has research this topic for 27 years. He has experience healing tens of thousands of individuals with liver damage. So many hours went into this project focusing on what really is causing fatty liver, like how fruit is not the right choice of food for someone living with fatty liver disease and is trying to lose weight. This information and many more unexpected facts have been discovered. After the 250 cases proven success stories, the Ezra protocol finally made their findings official. When Debra learned about him, she made an appointment the next week and in 2 months she was free from any liver damage. She was so amazed; she wanted to share her experience. So after some road blocks and some convincing of Jacob Ezra, he agreed to share all his findings and she wrote the Fatty Liver Bible and Ezra Protocol. The Secrets Revealed In The Fatty Liver Bible It is unfortunate that doctors don't incorporate these proven facts in their practice. Some people believe it is because of money but nonetheless, the secret of liver disease cures are revealed in the Fatty Liver Bible. You will learn things you never thought to be true. One secret you will learn is which organ is the REAL problem. You will also learn how to fix that problem, which could be the reason of your liver damage. Another secret worth mentioning is learning the healing foods that when the chemicals are released into the bloodstream, will regenerate your liver tissue. Learn why fatty liver or obesity is rarely seen in the Orient. These secrets and many more will be shared with you if you are on the journey to find liver disease cures. Symptoms Of A Fatty Liver Symptoms of a fatty liver is not easy to spot. Often times when you do think something is wrong, the disease has gotten worse to the point of cancer almost developing. One good thing to know is that liver disease is 100% reversible. Symptoms include back pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, feeling weak and more. By following the 5-step plan in the Fatty Liver Bible, you will feel better in no time. Because the liver is a very important part of the body and the symptoms are not obvious, it is important to know what to do and what not to do to reverse any liver damage. Fatty Liver Bible Conclusion Debra share her story in the Fatty Liver Bible. She shows care and passion to tell her story in that she personally takes time with those individuals who purchase the book. If you are not satisfied, she offers a 60-day money back guarantee. Her book is guaranteeing you will eliminate the 4 chemical triggers that prevent the cleansing process. Also following these steps will rejuvenate the liver to the point it functions like a 20 year old. You can learn how to boost your metabolism and clean your arteries. This book will teach you so many things so you can feel better and it is healthier than going to the doctor. Is that supposed to make sense?! http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/fatty-liver-bible-review.html 05 Jan 2012 12:23:06 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Duncan Capicchiano Kidney If you've come to this page, there's a good chance that you've either just been diagnosed with Fatty Liver Disease by your physician, or perhaps you suspect that is what's wrong with you, or maybe you've been struggling with the condition and its effects for a long time and are simply seeking relief that your doctor and the medications that he has been prescribing just haven't worked for you. There are millions of people suffering with this condition - far more than people realize because it is not an illness that manifests itself in obvious symptoms, and is regarded as relatively benign by many physicians. Among the solutions that are available, Duncan Capicchiano's Fatty Liver Solution is one of the few effective treatments that involves no medication, offering instead natural treatments that relieve symptoms and reverse the disease. Duncan Capicchiano Kidney Duncan Capicchiano is a second generation naturopath. He received his degree in Natural Medicine from the Australian College of Natural Medicine, and is the cofounder of a wellness center in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to his thriving practice he has earned a reputation for offering successful alternative treatments to a variety of illnesses, including Fatty Liver Disease, Hypothyroidism and Cirrhosis. His approach involves using diagnostic tests to confirm and identify the presence of illness, and then using treatments found in nature to return his clients to a state of good health. Duncan Capicchiano ND The symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease include pain in the abdomen, fatigue, weight gain, and a general feeling of poor health. Most physicians approach these symptoms with a medicine cabinet full of prescriptions, and wait for the disease to progress to the point where surgery is the next logical step. Duncan Capicchiano is an expert in the fields of nutrition, herbal medicines, and integrated healing. As a doctor of naturopathy, his approach is to treat the body back to wellness rather than to treat a disease. His results with patients suffering the impact of what he calls the fatty liver damage cycle are impressive, with many patients reporting a complete return to good health and wellness. The first step to his process is to educate his patients about the various causes and mechanisms of the disease, and the negative impact it can have on their bodies, ranging from a general feeling of malaise and weight gain all the way to liver cancer and cirrhosis. He also discusses the treatments offered by traditional medical practitioners, and explains how they may be making the situation worse for those who suffer from this condition. His program provides an individualized approach of strategies, incorporating light exercise, herbs and nutrients, and improved diet to turn back the clock on this insidious illness. Duncan Capicchiano Liver Cirrhosis One of the most valuable things that Duncan Capicchiano's Fatty Liver Solution does is answer all of the questions that so many physicians gloss over. By explaining what the function of a healthy liver is, he provides the most valuable tool of all, knowledge, so that when he provides an answer to the solution, his patients can understand the exact benefit of the treatment. The entire program costs less than an initial visit to a physician, and for just $47 includes not only the information described here, but additional health related materials on fitness, how to control your blood sugar, and even a detoxifying diet. The entire program comes with a money back guarantee and is available as a downloadable e-book so that you can start reversing the impact of liver damage immediately and get back on the road to health. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/duncan-capicchiano-review.html 21 Jan 2012 16:25:42 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Dorothy Spencer Does It Work Fatty Liver disease impacts millions of people each year. The condition can manifest itself in two different varieties, an alcohol related version and a non alcohol related version. The condition shows up in about twenty percent of Americans, including children, In both cases, people who are diagnosed with the disease are often caught completely unaware because initially the symptoms are invisible, sometimes for years; it is not until the disease reaches an acute stage that signs appear. These symptoms can include fatigue, pain and confusion. Left untreated, it can eventually lead to liver failure. After years of treating patients in varying stages of Fatty Liver Disease, registered nurse Dorothy Spencer has created an effective fatty liver disease diet that can reverse the effects of this condition and restore health. The diet is called the Best Fatty Liver Diet, and it has helped many people regain control of their lives. Dorothy Spencer Nurse For over ten years, Dorothy Spencer has worked in hospital intensive care units and outpatient departments. A large number of the patients who she found herself treating were suffering from the worst symptoms of fatty liver disease. Many lived with weakness and pain every day, and faced liver transplants and other surgeries, as well as liver cancer. She created a diet system that not only reverses the disease, but does so without medication or surgical intervention. She has had the opportunity to test her system on her own patients within her health care consulting practice specifically for liver patients, and found that she got remarkable results; though she was thrilled by this, she also became frustrated by the medical professionals with whom she had worked for years insistence on continuing to prescribe medication and dangerous surgical procedures rather than turning their patients to a simpler life changing diet. Dorothy Spencer Liver A careful review of the literature and program shows that Dorothy Spencer is a true expert in fatty liver disease as well as on how to treat and cure it. Her approach includes first educating patients as to the causes of the disease. There are four of them, and they are genes, lack of exercise, poor nutrition and inattentive health care - in other words, because a physician does not order the appropriate tests for liver enzymes, the condition isn't discovered until symptoms appear and it is almost too late. She then carefully explains the wide range of symptoms that fatty liver disease presents, as well as the risk of it leading to liver cancer, hypertension, obesity and other dire complications. Finally, she offers a comprehensive diet and four part plan to overcome the effects of the illness. Testimonials from patients who have used her method and diet report feeling an improvement in the way they feel in just two weeks, some after years of medical treatments. Dorothy Spencer Download Dorothy Spencer's Fatty Liver diet is not complicated or difficult to adhere to or follow. She provides a step-by-step program that costs just $47, and for that price you receive all that is needed to regain control of your health and defeat fatty liver disease. The program not only comes with the diet information itself, but includes a diet workbook, a book of thirty three special recipes, information on herbal supplements, instructions on how to do a healthy liver flush, and overall health guides. The system is covered by a complete 100 percent guarantee that will refund your money if you are not satisfied with the program in the first sixty days. http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/dorothy-spencer-review.html 21 Jan 2012 22:31:16 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Alcoholic Hepatatis We think of hepatitis as an infectious disease of the liver caused by any of several virus strains and classified as type A, B, or C hepatitis, but in fact the term means only an inflammation of the liver regardless of cause. While hepatitis can and frequently does arise from a viral infection, it can also result from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. This condition is known as alcoholic hepatitis. Although arising from a different cause, and in the early stages being easier to treat, alcoholic hepatitis can be just as dangerous to health and life as infectious hepatitis. Symptoms Of Alcoholic Hepatatis Alcoholic hepatitis can occur without overt symptoms. When symptoms do present, they can include a generalized unwell feeling, ascetes (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen), abdominal swelling, jaundice, and of course enlargement of the liver itself, which can be revealed through medical imaging technology such as an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Alcoholic hepatitis can also result in elevated liver enzymes as revealed by a blood test for liver functioning, and the presence of these signs calls for further diagnostic testing to determine the nature of the damage and the cause. Diagnosis Of Alcoholic Hepatitis Diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis requires that two factors be positively identified: hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and excessive alcohol consumption. A diagnosis of infectious hepatitis should also be ruled out through appropriate diagnostic tests for infectious hepatitis, but the presence of any kind of liver disease along with excessive consumption of alcohol requires a recommendation that the patient stop drinking. A diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis also indicates testing for other forms of alcoholic liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Is Alcoholic Hepatitis Contagious? Alcoholic hepatitis, unlike infectious hepatitis, is not contagious. It is caused by a lifestyle factor, excessive consumption of alcohol, rather than by an infectious microorganism. There is no danger of acquiring the disease from association with someone who suffers from it or through offering medical treatment, or even through blood contact. Prognosis Of Alcoholic Hepatitis Alcoholic hepatitis can occur in varying degrees of severity. It can also occur in conjunction with alcoholic liver disease of other kinds, such as cirrhosis of the liver. In the most severe cases, alcoholic hepatitis can be fatal. If the condition is caught before it progresses to a stage in which liver functioning is severely impaired, it can be arrested with sufficient liver functioning intact to live a normal life, and much of the damage can even be reversed through natural healing processes. Signs of severe alcoholic hepatitis can include obtundation (dulled consciousness) and blood indicators including elevated bilirubin levels. When these signs are present, mortality is a serious concern and aggressive treatment (above and beyond cessation of drinking) is indicated. Treatment Of Alcoholic Hepatitis In all cases, the first recommended treatment for alcoholic hepatitis, as for all alcohol-related is for the patient to stop drinking. Where the damage to the liver is induced by alcohol, cessation of drinking will halt the progress of the disease and in many cases, although not all, allow reversal of the condition. Excessive alcohol consumption also causes other problems of the liver and has a negative effect on health generally. For that reason, any occurrence of liver damage in conjunction with excess alcohol intake calls for cessation of drinking on the part of the patient. In cases of severe damage, further treatment may be recommended, including corticosteroids, especially glucocortisoids, or with pentoxifylline (a drug that improves blood circulation to the organs). Especially severe damage may require a liver transplant. If the disease has progressed to that point, it is considered terminal.http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/alcoholic-hepatitis.html http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/alcoholic-hepatitis%20.html 01 May 2012 14:25:42 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com Cirrhosis Of The Liver Life Expectancy Cirrhosis of the liver is an extremely serious, progressive liver disease that begins with minor scarring and proceeds through the formation of fibrotic lesions all the way to terminal liver breakdown. It can be and often is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, although cirrhosis also has other causes, notably types B and C infectious hepatitis. The prognosis and life expectancy of a patient suffering from cirrhosis of the liver varies depending on which stage the disease has reached in its progression. There are four stages to the progression of cirrhosis that are generally recognized by doctors. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Stage 1 In the early part of the disease, few if any symptoms are encountered. Sometimes a patient suffers from dry mouth, jaundice, fatigue, or upper-abdominal swelling; however, cirrhosis of the liver is a "silent killer" and it is not at all uncommon to have early-stage cirrhosis without the disease showing any symptoms whatsoever. In this stage of the disease, prognosis is very good provided it is detected and appropriate treatment undertaken. Detection can be by blood test to reveal elevated liver enzymes, and medical scanning or a liver biopsy can reveal the abnormal tissue growth and inflammation of liver tissues that is part of stage 1 cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Stage 2 The second stage of cirrhosis involves hardening of the abnormal tissue growth into rigid scar-like fibers of connective tissue. This condition is sometimes called liver fibrosis. It represents a critical point in the progress of cirrhosis of the liver, although it can occur in other conditions as well. Prognosis and life expectancy are good if the disease is discovered at this point, although some impairment of liver function is probably unavoidable. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Stage 3 The third stage of cirrhosis of the liver sees more serious damage to liver functioning, as the fibrosis evolves into solid masses of enlarged liver tissue. The body's ability to digest fats, including fat-soluble vitamins, can be seriously disrupted. At this point life expectancy begins to drop significantly due to the disease. Overt symptoms are very likely with cirrhosis that has progressed to the third stage. Cirrhosis Of The Liver Stage 4 The final stage of cirrhosis of the liver is terminal. It involves severe impairment of hepatic functioning. Life expectancy is very low, and a liver transplant is required if there is to be any chance of survival. The Child-Pugh Score Physicians use a system called the Child-Pugh score to assess life expectancy of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. Five measures are combined to generate the score: total bilirubin, serum albumin, PT INR, ascites, and hepatic encepalopathy. Each of these is given a value of 1 to 3, where 1 indicates mild damage as in the early stages of cirrhosis while 3 indicates severe imbalance. The results are added and generate one of three levels of overall damage: 5-6 ("Class A," 100% chance of survival for one year, 85% chance for two years); 7-9 ("Class B," 81% chance of survival for one year, 57% chance for two years); or 10-15 ("Class C," 45% chance of survival for one year, 35% chance for two years). Treatment Of Cirrhosis Of The Liver Unfortunately, the damage to the liver done by cirrhosis is irreversible. It is possible, however, for the victim to live a normal life if the progress of the disease is arrested, usually through lifestyle changes, early enough that sufficient hepatic function is retained. If that fails, the only treatment is a liver transplant. A liver transplant can extend survival chances dramatically, although there is always a risk of complications to the surgery, rejection of the transplanted organ, or diseases resulting from the immune-suppression therapy necessary to reduce the chance of rejection. The biggest problem with liver transplant is the limited number of donor organs available. The cirrhosis sufferer is more likely to die waiting on the transplant list than from the procedure itself. Obviously, the best way to deal with cirrhosis is to prevent its occurrence, which means reducing the risk factors, most obviously by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and also by avoiding obesity. Both of these are advisable for reasons of general health as well as specifically in relation to cirrhosis.http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/cirrhosis-of-the-liver-life-expectancy.html http://www.hepaticsteatosis.net/cirrhosis-of-the-liver-life-expectancy.html 02 May 2012 00:08:58 GMT health,medical,diet,nutrition,obesity,fat,weight loss,uncategorized,miscellaneous business@nevillepettersson.com