Are There Signs Of An Enlarged Liver?

Are There Signs Of An Enlarged Liver?

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Signs and symptoms that someone's liver is growing enlarged normally indicate that the liver has become inflamed due to any one of a number of potential developing liver disorders. An individual who has symptoms of liver enlargement should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Frequently, by the time signs and symptoms of an enlarged liver materialize, meaningful liver damage has perhaps already taken place. If the problem is not slowed or arrested, it might in the long run cause liver failure. Once failure has taken place, a liver transplant is the only way the patient can survive.

Medical professionals call liver enlargement is hepatomegaly.

Enlarged liver is not considered to be a disease. But it is definitely telltale symptom that something else is wrong.

There are no early signs and symptoms of enlarged liver. But if the underlying disorder is not diagnosed and treated, the liver will sooner or later enlarge to the point that the following signs and symptoms will begin to present themselves.

sensitivity in the area underneath the rib cage

a feeling of bloating in the stomach or abdominal areas

fluid accumulation in the abdomen - a problem called ascites

a sudden disinterest in food

pain in muscles and joints

a cough that doesn't come from a cold or the flu

A change in bowel habits, with episodes of constipation or diarrhea

uncommon weariness along with feelings of weakness

episode of nausea and vomiting, at times accompanied by fever

urine may perhaps have a dark, murky aspect

Patients with indications of liver enlargement often have an unusually strong sensitivity to light called photophobia. Sense of smell may possibly also be heightened, and a variety of odors can become unsavory or even offensive.

Jaundice, or yellow appearance to the skin and whites of the eyes, is a specific symptom of liver problems. Jaundice is caused by the atypical buildup of a bile pigment called bilirubin. Abnormal amounts of bilirubin destroy liver cells, which causes signs of hepatomegaly.

There are multiple other ailments which indicate that some form of liver disease or damage has started. One is cholestasis, which happens when the transmission of bile from the liver has been stymied. Another example is portal hypertension, which is characterized by high blood pressure in the portal vein. This vein transports blood from the intestines to the liver.

The physician will want to obtain the results of diagnostic tests to ascertain the stage to which liver enlargement has progressed. These tests usually include a liver biopsy, liver function tests, an ultrasound or a CT scan.

Now and then both the liver and spleen become enlarged simultaneously. When this is the case, the affliction is called hepatosplenomegaly.

About the Author:
For more information on this and related topics, click on signs and symptoms of liver enlargement and enlarged liver.

Neal Kennedy is a former radio and TV journalist with a special interest in fitness and medical topics.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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