Enlargement of the liver

Description

An enlarged liver is one that is larger than normal. The medical term is hepatomegaly (hep-uh-toe-MEG-uh-le).

More than a disease, an enlarged liver is a sign of an underlying problem, such as liver disease, congestive heart failure or cancer. The treatment consists in identifying and controlling the cause of the condition.

Symptoms

An enlarged liver may not cause symptoms.

When enlargement of the liver of the results of liver disease, which may be accompanied by:

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms that concern you.

Causes

The liver is a large, football-shaped organ found in the upper right portion of your abdomen. The size of the liver varies with age, sex and body size. Many conditions can cause it to expand, including:

Diseases of the liver

  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis caused by a virus, such as hepatitis a, B, and C — or caused by infectious mononucleosis
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver
  • - Alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • A disorder that causes abnormal protein to accumulate in the liver (amyloidosis)
  • A genetic disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the liver (Wilson's disease)
  • A disorder that causes iron to accumulate in the liver (hemachromatosis)
  • A disorder that causes fatty substances that accumulate in the liver (Gaucher disease)
  • Fluid-filled pockets in the liver (liver cysts)
  • Non-cancerous liver tumors, including hemangioma and the adenoma
  • The blockage of the gallbladder or in the bile ducts
  • Toxic hepatitis

Cancers

  • The cancer that begins in another part of the body and spreads to the liver
  • Leukemia
  • The cancer of the liver
  • Lymphoma

Heart and blood vessel problems

  • The obstruction of the veins that drain the liver (Budd-Chiari syndrome)
  • Heart failure
  • The inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the heart (pericarditis)

Risk factors

You are more likely to develop an enlarged liver if you have a liver disease. Factors that may increase your risk of liver problems include:

  • The excessive use of alcohol. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can be damaging to the liver.
  • Large doses of medications, vitamins or supplements.Taking more than the recommended dose of vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications that can increase your risk of liver damage. Acetaminophen overdose is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the united States. In addition to being the active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as Tylenol, that in more than 600 medicines, bothOTCand recipe. Know what is in the drugs you are taking. Read the labels. Look for the "acetaminophen," "acetam" or "APAP." Check with your doctor if you are not sure what that is too.
  • Herbal supplements. Certain supplements, including black cohosh, ma huang, and valerian may increase your risk of liver damage.
  • Infections. Infectious diseases, viral, bacterial, or parasitic, may increase your risk of liver damage.
  • The Hepatitis a virus. Hepatitis a, B, and C can cause liver damage.
  • Bad eating habits. Being overweight increases the risk of liver disease, such as not eating unhealthy foods, such as those with excessive fat or sugar.

Large doses of medications, vitamins or supplements. Taking more than the recommended dose of vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications that can increase your risk of liver damage.

Acetaminophen overdose is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the united States. In addition to being the active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as Tylenol, that in more than 600 medicines, both over-the-counter and by prescription.

Know what is in the drugs you are taking. Read the labels. Look for the "acetaminophen," "acetam" or "APAP." Check with your doctor if you are not sure what that is too.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of liver disease, you can:

  • Eat a healthy diet. Choose a diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. Check with your doctor to find out what amount of alcohol for you, if any.
  • Follow the instructions to take medications, vitamins or supplements. Limit at the recommended doses.
  • Limit the contact with chemicals. The use of aerosols, insecticides and other toxic chemicals only in a well-ventilated area. Wear gloves, long sleeves and a mask.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a balanced diet and limiting foods that are high in sugar and fat. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about the best way for you to lose weight.
  • Stop smoking. Ask your doctor about strategies to help you quit smoking.
  • The use of supplements with caution.Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of herbal supplements before you take them. Some treatments of alternative medicine can damage your liver. Herbs and supplements that should be avoided include black cohosh, ma huang and other Chinese herbs, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, kava, pennyroyal, skullcap, and valerian.

The use of supplements with caution. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of herbal supplements before you take them. Some treatments of alternative medicine can damage your liver.

Herbs and supplements that should be avoided include black cohosh, ma huang and other Chinese herbs, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, kava, pennyroyal, skullcap, and valerian.

Enlargement of the liver

Diagnosis

Your doctor may begin to feel your abdomen during a physical examination to determine the size of the liver, the shape and texture. However, this might not be sufficient to diagnose an enlarged liver.

Additional procedures

If your doctor suspects that you have an enlarged liver, he or she may recommend other tests and procedures, including:

  • Blood tests. A blood sample is a test to determine the levels of liver enzymes and to identify the viruses that can cause enlargement of the liver.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests include computed tomography (CT scan), ultrasound, or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Magnetic resonance elastography uses sound waves to create a visual map (elastogram) of the stiffness of liver tissue. This non-invasive test can be an alternative to liver biopsy.
  • Removing a sample of liver tissue for testing (biopsy of the liver). A liver biopsy is often done using a long, thin needle that is inserted through the skin and into the liver. The needle is removed, a core of tissue that is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Treatment

Treatment for an enlarged liver is the treatment of the condition that is causing it.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care physician. If your doctor suspects that you have an enlarged liver, he or she may refer you to an appropriate specialist after testing to determine the cause.

If you have liver disease, you may be referred to a specialist in problems of the liver (hepatologist).

Here is the information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Their symptoms, even those that seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began
  • A list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your doctor

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For the enlargement of the liver are some questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or long-term?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • I need follow-up visits?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?
Symptoms and treatment of Enlargement of the liver