Liver disease

Diagnosis

Treatment should be based on the cause and severity of liver disease. The healthcare provider may additionally suggest one or more tests in order to correctly identify and determine the cause of liver illness. These may consist of:

• Physical examination: A comprehensive physical exam and a health history are likely to be the first steps taken by the healthcare provider.
• Blood tests. The diagnosis of liver disease can be made through a class of blood tests known as liver function tests. Abnormal liver enzymes level may indicate the liver issues. In order to check for particular liver problems or hereditary diseases, further blood tests might be performed.
• Imaging tests: An ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan can be used by a healthcare provider to check the liver for signs of injury, scarring, or tumors. The degree of liver fat accumulation and scarring may be assessed using the fibroscan, a different specialized form of ultrasound.
• Tissue biopsy: A liver biopsy can be performed to obtain a tissue sample that helps in the diagnosis of liver disease and to search for indicators of liver damage. Typically, a long needle is used to retrieve a tissue sample from the liver and then send it to a lab for analysis during a liver biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment for liver disease varies based on the patient’s liver disease type and how far it has advanced. Possible treatments include:

• Medications: Medication is sometimes used by healthcare providers to treat certain kinds of liver disease. Infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis, or hereditary disorders, such as Wilson disease, may be treated with medication.
• Lifestyle change: Certain kinds of liver disease can be managed by the patient through diets. Avoiding alcohol, cutting back on fat and calories, and boosting fiber consumption may all benefit someone with liver disease. Alcohol abstinence can help liver damage caused by alcohol.
• Liver transplant: A liver transplant may be the most effective course of treatment when liver disease leads to liver failure. A liver transplant involves the substitution of a diseased liver with a healthy liver.

Many persons with liver disease can prevent severe liver damage and liver failure with early treatment and effective lifestyle adjustments.