Какой препарат для печени лучше: 20 лучших препаратов для печени. Рейтинг 2020

Недорогие препараты для лечения печени: ТОП-5 дешевых лекарств

В условиях масштабного кризиса процесс поддержания и восстановления здоровья сталкивается с проблемой стоимости лекарственных средств. Однако не стоит подвергать себя унынию – всегда можно найти оптимальный выход из этого положения. Существуют недорогие препараты для печени, действие которых вполне соизмеримо с эффектом, получаемым от лечения дорогими лекарствами.

Итак, предлагаем вашему вниманию ТОП-5 дешевых лекарств, с помощью которых можно наладить работу печени.

Лив 52

Это недорогое лекарственное средство, включающее в свой состав только растительные ингредиенты – цикорий, тысячелистник, тамариск, черный паслен и т. п.

Лив 52 обладает ярко выраженными гепатопротекторными свойствами и рекомендуется при заболевании гепатитом, циррозе и жировой дистрофии печени. Препарат эффективно борется с замещением функциональных клеток печени фиброзной тканью, нормализует отток желчи, устраняя дискинезию и воспаление желчных протоков.

Лив 52 можно применять для профилактики нарушений работы печени вследствие алкогольной интоксикации, а также химического и радиационного поражения печеночных тканей. Препарат также позитивно влияет на кроветворение и синтез протеинов, стимулирует аппетит при истощении.

Антитоксическое действие Лив 52 заключается в ускорении выведения производных углерода и ацетальдегидов из организма при помощи мягкого мочегонного и слабительного эффекта. Кроме того, препарат замедляет процесс разрушения клеток печени.

Вышеперечисленные свойства лекарственного средства дают основания рекомендовать его для защиты печени на период лечения противоопухолевыми препаратами. При параллельном приеме лекарства с антибиотиками необходимо проконсультироваться с врачом.

За счет полностью натурального состава, Лив 52 имеет незначительные противопоказания (случаи аллергии на компоненты препарата и наличие острых очагов воспаления в желудочно-кишечном тракте) и может быть рекомендован детям с пятилетнего возраста и взрослым. Беременным и кормящим женщинам следует использовать его с осторожностью.

Карсил

Этот недорогой препарат, как и предыдущий, имеет полностью растительную основу – экстракт расторопши. Лекарственное средство с успехом применяется при начальных стадиях заболевания циррозом печени, гепатитами различного происхождения, сопровождающимися нарушением метаболизма или истощением. Хорош Карсил и для профилактики поражения печени при алкогольной интоксикации, продолжительном приеме агрессивных лекарственных препаратов (химиотерапии) и вынужденном пребывании в токсической среде.

Карсил обычно хорошо переносится пациентами, однако имеет ряд противопоказаний:

1. Заболевания женских половых органов, вызванные гормональными расстройствами и развитием доброкачественных и злокачественных опухолей;
2. Беременность и грудное вскармливание;
3. Целиакия (пищевая непереносимость).

Препарат может вызывать тошноту, диарею, кожные высыпания. При длительном приеме может развиться аллопеция (облысение). Женщинам следует учесть, что Карсил может снижать терапевтический эффект от приема оральных противозачаточных средств и повышать его при лечении рядом препаратов (кетоконазол, диазепам и т. д.).

Гепабене

Этот недорогой препарат также включает в себя вытяжку плодов расторопши, но имеет в своем составе и экстракт дымянки лекарственной. Обладая гепатопротекторным эффектом, Гепабене успешно восстанавливает поврежденные клетки печени, что дает повод применять его в период лечения антибиотиками и противоопухолевыми препаратами. Кроме того, он устраняет дискинезию желчевыводящих путей, нормализуя отток желчи, в том числе и после холецистоэктомии (удалении желчного пузыря) и обладает антиоксидантным действием.

Гепабене не рекомендуется при аллергических реакциях на его компоненты, наличии острых воспалительных процессов в печени и желчном пузыре. Препарат не назначают детям и беременным женщинам.

Аллохол

Доступный препарат, влияющий на активизацию синтеза желчи, усиливая при этом перистальтику кишечника и снижая в нем активность процессов брожения и гниения. Аллохол усиливает действие желчных кислот при их недостаточности, ускоряет движение желчи по желчевыводящим путям, предупреждая тем самым застойные явления, развитие воспалительных очагов в них и снижает риск выпадения в осадок холестерина – основы для образования конкрементов.

Препарат хорошо переносится, полностью всасывается в кишечнике, затем после участия в процессе пищеварения частично реабсорбируется и выводится из организма естественным путем.

Аллохол рекомендован при дискинезии желчных путей, воспалении желчного пузыря, хронических гепатитах различной этиологии, запорах, связанных с вялостью кишечника.

Существует у препарата и ряд противопоказаний:

1. Аллергия на препарат;
2. Острая форма гепатита;
3. Жировая дистрофия печени;
4. Повышенное содержание в крови «плохого» холестерина и билирубина.

Хофитол

Недорогое лекарственное средство полностью состоит из натуральных растительных ингредиентов (сухого и водного вида экстракта артишока) и обладает защитным (гепатопротекторным), желчегонным и мягким мочегонным свойствами.

Хофитол рекомендуют для оптимизации оттока желчи при дискинезии, лечения гепатитов различного вида, начальной стадии цирроза печени, интоксикации организма, раннего токсикоза беременных. Кроме того, препарат назначают в качестве вспомогательной меры для лечения атеросклероза и избыточного веса.

Единственное противопоказание при лечении Хофитолом – желчнокаменная болезнь.

90000 3 Steps to Prevent Liver Damage and Cancer of the Liver 90001 90002 The liver is a large organ that sits on the right side of the belly. Along with the gall bladder, pancreas, and intestines, it helps to digest and absorb your food. The liver’s main job is to filter blood coming from the gut before it is circulated to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies and breaks down chemicals in the blood, including drugs and toxic pollutants. 90003 90002 While a healthy liver has the ability to grow back, or regenerate, when it is damaged, 90005 chronic inflammation can damage the liver permanently … leading further to cirrhosis and liver cancer or liver failure if left untreated 90006.90003 90002 Unfortunately, there is no way to compensate for loss of liver function in the long term. Although liver dialysis may help for a little while, liver transplantation is the only long-term solution for liver failure. Therefore, it’s vital that you take steps to keep your liver healthy and cancer-free. 90003 90010 Causes of Liver Damage You May Not Be Aware Of 90011 90002 The liver plays a major role in how cholesterol, sugar, and iron are used and stored in the body. In fact, it is estimated that the liver carries out up to 500 different functions — including managing the storage of energy as glycogen, breaking down red blood cells, helping to make blood proteins, as well as enabling blood clotting and hormone production.The liver also makes bile, which is necessary for digesting fats. 90003 90002 Most people are aware of the link between alcohol consumption and liver damage, 90005 but the liver can be damaged in multiple ways. If left untreated, liver 90016 damage 90017 can progress further to liver 90016 disease 90017. 90006 90003 90002 90005 Excessive use / abuse of painkillers 90006 — the liver and kidneys are the body’s main detoxification organs. Every drug you take is broken down by liver enzymes.Most allopathic drugs have the potential to damage the liver because of a buildup of toxic byproducts. However, prescription painkillers, especially those that contain acetaminophen, are the worst. Drugs like Vicodin, Lortab, and Percocet contain high doses of acetaminophen and can cause liver disease or even liver failure if overused or abused. Even over-the-counter products with acetaminophen, including Tylenol (Paracetamol), are well known to cause liver damage if not used carefully. 90003 90002 90005 Cirrhosis 90006 — is a complication of liver disease in which liver cells (known as hepatocytes) are damaged, usually because of alcohol abuse or viral hepatitis B and C infections, leading to irreversible scarring of the liver.Cirrhosis can progress to liver cancer and liver failure. 90003 90002 90005 Epstein Barr virus (EBV, or infectious mononucleosis) 90006 — more than 90% of adults worldwide are infected with this virus. When the immune system is weak or fails, EBV can cause liver inflammation- known as hepatitis — progressing to liver disease and liver cancer. 90003 90002 90005 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 90006 — is the name for the buildup of extra fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol.It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, 90005 if more than 5-10% of the liver’s weight is made up of fat cells, then it is called a fatty liver 90006. NAFLD usually develops in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. According to some estimates, it affects up to 25% of people in the U.S. NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer or liver failure. 90003 90010 How Does Liver Disease Lead to Liver Cancer or Liver Failure? 90011 90002 Inflammation can happen in the liver because of multiple reasons.If inflammation is high and becomes chronic, it can damage the liver permanently. 90003 90002 If left untreated, an inflamed liver will start to scar and newly formed scar tissue will begin to replace healthy liver tissue, known as fibrosis. 90005 Scar tissue affects the liver’s ability to do its job properly 90006. If still left untreated, the liver may become so seriously scarred that it can no longer heal itself. 90003 90002 This stage (when the damage can not be reversed) is called 90016 cirrhosis 90017.Cirrhosis can cause further complications, including liver cancer and liver failure. 90003 90052 90005 Typical symptoms of liver cirrhosis include: 90006 90055 90056 90057 Bleeding or bruising easily 90058 90057 Buildup of fluid in the legs and abdomen 90058 90057 Skin and eyes turning yellow, known as jaundice 90058 90057 Intense itching in the skin 90058 90057 Increased sensitivity to medications and their side effects 90058 90057 Development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes 90058 90057 Problems with concentration, memory, sleeping, or other mental functions because of buildup of toxins in the brain 90058 90071 90002 90005 Liver failure means that your liver is losing or has already lost most or all of its function 90006.This is a very serious, life-threatening condition that demands urgent medical care because there is a high risk of coma and death. 90003 90002 Typical symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. When liver failure happens because of cirrhosis, it usually means that the liver has been failing for a few years. This is known as 90016 chronic liver failure 90017. Chronic liver failure can also sometimes be caused by malnutrition. 90003 90002 More rarely, liver failure can happen all of a sudden, sometimes in as little as 48 hours.This is called 90016 acute liver failure 90017 and is usually a reaction to poisoning, or a drug or medication overdose. 90003 90010 Overuse of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a Leading Cause of Liver Failure 90011 90002 According to a 2013 article published in the Huffington Post, 90016 «Acetaminophen overdose sends as many as 78,000 Americans to the emergency room annually and results in 33,000 hospitalizations a year, federal data shows. Acetaminophen is also the nation’s leading cause of acute liver failure, according to data from an ongoing study funded by the National Institutes for Health 90017.»90003 90002 Canadian doctors have been warning Canadians of the dangers of acetaminophen (Tylenol) as well recently and calling for better labeling and warnings by Health Canada of the dangers. Dr. Michael Rieder, a pediatric clinical pharmacologist at Western University in Canada stated in a September 2016 report by the CBC that acetaminophen 90016 «is the most common cause of liver injury. Period. Full stop. » 90017 90003 90002 It’s important to note that a large number of acetominophen «overdoses» are accidental, not intentional.As multiple products contain acetaminophen, it is very easy to exceed safe dosage levels — especially when taking multiple products to fight a cold or flu. It is especially critical to be cautious if you become dehydrated through vomiting or diarrhea and take acetaminophen, as even normally safe levels of the drug may become toxic. 90003 90010 Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cancer 90011 90002 Cancer that originally starts in the liver is called 90016 primary liver cancer 90017. 90005 Cirrhosis and hepatitis B infections are the leading risk factors for liver cancer 90006, which can develop at any point during liver disease.90003 90002 Unfortunately, the symptoms of liver cancer typically do not show up until the later stages of the disease. They are similar to those of cirrhosis and can include: 90003 90056 90057 Weight loss (without trying) 90058 90057 Loss of appetite, or feeling very full after a small meal 90058 90057 Nausea and / or vomiting 90058 90057 Swollen liver 90058 90057 Swollen spleen 90058 90057 Pain and fluid buildup in the abdomen 90058 90057 Itching of the skin 90058 90057 Yellowing of the skin and eyes 90058 90057 Fever, abnormal bruising or bleeding 90058 90071 90002 In addition, some liver cancers make hormones of their own that act on other organs — leading to high blood calcium, low blood sugar, breast enlargement, and also sometimes shrinkage of testicles in men, high counts of red blood cells, and high blood cholesterol.90003 90002 If you have been experiencing any of these problems over a period of time, it’s important to consult your doctor so that the underlying cause — it may not necessarily be liver cancer — can be found and treated. 90003 90002 90003 90010 3 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Liver Cancer Beyond Cutting Out Alcohol 90011 90052 # 1 — Stop Eating Processed Pork Products 90055 90002 Along with liver damage as a result of viral infections, painkiller and alcohol abuse, and lifestyle-related diseases, there are other risk factors for liver cancer, including pork consumption.90003 90002 Reports have strongly linked pork consumption to cirrhosis of the liver — in fact this association is stronger than that between alcohol and cirrhosis and has been seen across many countries consistently for at least 40 years. Other studies have also shown a connection between pork consumption and liver cancer. 90003 90002 Most pigs raised in the U.S. are fed grains and seed oils, which increase their content of omega-6 fatty acids and pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid. Consumption of this meat may contribute to a higher risk for liver disease.Also, most pork is in processed form — such as smoked ham, sausages, bacon, and processed lunchmeat — which are preserved in different ways, including the addition of chemical preservatives such as nitrates. 90005 Nitrates are converted into nitrosamines, which have clearly been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers 90006. 90003 90002 Not only that, meat that is cooked at high temperatures can contain as many as 20 different kinds of cancer-causing compounds, including nitrosamines.Last but not least, pigs eat just about anything, making them a potential breeding ground for dangerous infections caused by retroviruses and other parasites. Some of these may contribute to cancer risk when we consume pork — including liver cancer. 90003 90052 # 2 — Avoid Aspartame 90055 90002 Aspartame, an artificial sweetener also known as NutraSweet or Equal, is present in more than 6,000 products. Research has clearly shown that aspartame is a cancer-causing agent. 90003 90002 In one laboratory study, mice regularly given aspartame (from before their births until their deaths) showed a significantly higher incidence of both liver and lung cancer.90003 90002 Another study, conducted by the European Ramazzini Foundation, an independent cancer research facility, confirmed aspartame’s carcinogenic potential. Male and female mice were given aspartame starting at 12 days of gestation until their deaths. Scarily, autopsies in male mice revealed malignant cancers of both the liver and lungs. 90003 90002 According to the report authors, 90016 «Aspartame in our experimental conditions induces in males a significant dose-related increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas [malignant liver cancer].»90017 90003 90052 # 3 — Detox Regularly 90055 90002 We live in a very toxic world. Hundreds if not thousands of pollutants in the air, water, and food can and do enter our body. While it may be difficult or even impossible to limit the entry of such toxins, we can certainly facilitate their rapid exit by detoxing regularly. 90003 90002 Liver cleansing is probably one of the most effective ways of detoxing and boosting our self-healing mechanism. People diagnosed with cancer will need multiple liver cleanses.90003 90002 There are four main exits via which toxic waste can be expelled from our bodies — the bowel, urinary system, lungs or the upper respiratory system, and skin in that order. If any one of these exits is blocked, the next one in line has to pick up the slack, usually with unfortunate consequences for that exit. This means all four exits need to be thoroughly detoxed — in the right order — for a detoxing program to be truly effective. 90003 90002 After the bowel and urinary system have first been thoroughly detoxed, the liver needs to be cleansed for a minimum of 5-7 days so that built-up toxic wastes can exit easily through the previously cleansed and open urinary system and the bowel.90003 90010 Article Summary 90011 90056 90057 90002 Your liver is a vital organ and there is no way to compensate for loss of liver function in the long term. 90003 90058 90057 90002 The liver can be damaged in multiple ways. If left untreated, liver 90016 damage 90017 can progress further to liver 90016 disease 90017. Some of the common causes of liver damage include: 90003 90056 90057 Excessive use / abuse of painkillers 90058 90057 Cirrhosis 90058 90057 Epstein Barr virus (EBV, or infectious mononucleosis) 90058 90057 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 90058 90071 90058 90057 90002 An untreated inflamed liver will start to scar.Scar tissue affects the liver’s ability to do its job properly and left untreated, the liver may no longer heal itself. This stage is called 90016 cirrhosis 90017. 90003 90058 90057 90002 When liver failure happens because of cirrhosis, it usually means that the liver has been failing for a few years. This is known as 90016 chronic liver failure 90017. More rarely, 90016 acute liver failure 90017 can happen very suddenly and is usually a reaction to poisoning, or a drug or medication overdose.One common cause of acute liver failure is overuse of acetaminophen (the drug found in many over-the-counter medications including Tylenol). 90003 90058 90057 90002 Cirrhosis and hepatitis B infections are the leading risk factors for liver cancer. The symptoms of liver cancer typically do not show up until the later stages of the disease. They are similar to those of cirrhosis and can include: 90003 90056 90057 Weight loss (without trying) 90058 90057 Loss of appetite, or feeling very full after a small meal 90058 90057 Nausea and / or vomiting 90058 90057 Swollen liver 90058 90057 Swollen spleen 90058 90057 Pain and fluid buildup in the abdomen 90058 90057 Itching of the skin 90058 90057 Yellowing of the skin and eyes 90058 90057 Fever, abnormal bruising or bleeding 90058 90071 90058 90057 90002 3 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Liver Cancer include: 90003 90234 90057 Stop Eating Processed Pork Products 90058 90057 Avoid aspartame 90058 90057 Detox regularly 90058 90241 90058 90071 .90000 Liver — fatty liver disease 90001 The liver, located on the upper-right side of the abdomen, is the largest internal organ of the human body. The main functions of the liver are to remove toxins and process food nutrients. Blood from the digestive system filters through the liver before travelling anywhere else in the body. 90002 Fatty liver disease (steatosis) is the build-up of excess fat in the liver cells, and is a common liver complaint in Western countries. It affects about one in every 10 people.It is normal for the liver to contain some fat, but if fat accounts for more than 10 per cent of the liver’s weight, then you have fatty liver and you may develop more serious complications. 90003 90002 Fatty liver may cause no damage, but sometimes the excess fat leads to inflammation of the liver. This condition, called steatohepatitis, does cause liver damage. Sometimes, inflammation from a fatty liver is linked to alcohol abuse. This is known as alcoholic steatohepatitis. Otherwise, the condition is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH.90003 90002 An inflamed liver may become scarred and hardened over time. This condition, called cirrhosis, is serious and often leads to liver failure. NASH is one of the top three leading causes of cirrhosis. 90007 90003 90009 Causes of fatty liver disease 90010 Eating excess calories causes fat to build up in the liver. When the liver does not process and break down fats as it normally should, too much fat will accumulate. People tend to develop fatty liver if they have certain other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes or high triglycerides.90002 Alcohol abuse, rapid weight loss and malnutrition may also lead to fatty liver. However, some people develop fatty liver even if they have none of these conditions. 90007 90003 90014 Risk factors for fatty liver disease 90015 Most, but not all fatty liver patients are middle-aged and overweight. The risk factors most commonly linked to fatty liver disease are: 90016 90017 overweight (body mass index of 25-30) 90018 90017 obesity (body mass index above 30) 90018 90017 diabetes 90018 90017 elevated triglyceride levels.90018 90025 90014 Metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease 90015 Many researchers now believe that metabolic syndrome — a cluster of disorders that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke — plays an important role in the development of fatty liver. 90002 Signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome include: 90003 90016 90017 obesity, particularly around the waist (abdominal obesity) 90018 90017 high blood pressure (hypertension) 90018 90017 one or more abnormal cholesterol levels — high levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat, or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the ‘good’ cholesterol 90018 90017 resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.90018 90025 Of these, insulin resistance may be the most important trigger of NASH. Because the condition can remain stable for many years, causing little harm, researchers have proposed that a ‘second hit’ to the liver, such as a bacterial infection or hormonal abnormality, may lead to cirrhosis. 90007 90014 How a liver becomes fatty 90015 It is unclear how a liver becomes fatty. The fat may come from other parts of your body, or your liver may absorb an increased amount of fat from your intestine.Another possible explanation is that the liver loses its ability to change fat into a form that can be eliminated. However, the eating of fatty foods, by itself, does not produce a fatty liver. 90007 90009 Symptoms of fatty liver disease 90010 A fatty liver produces no symptoms on its own, so people often learn about their fatty liver when they have medical tests for other reasons. NASH can damage your liver for years or even decades without causing any symptoms. If the disease gets worse, you may experience fatigue, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, weakness and confusion.90007 90009 Diagnosis of fatty liver disease 90010 Your doctor may see something unusual in a blood test or notice that your liver is slightly enlarged during a routine check-up. These could be signs of a fatty liver. To make sure you do not have another liver disease, your doctor may ask for more blood tests (including liver function tests), an ultrasound, a computed tomography (CT) scan or medical resonance imaging (an MRI). 90002 If other diseases are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with NASH.The only way to know for sure is to get a liver biopsy. Your doctor will remove a sample of liver tissue with a needle and check it under a microscope. 90003 90002 Some questions to ask your doctor after diagnosis include: 90003 90016 90017 What is the likely cause of my fatty liver? 90018 90017 Do I have NASH? If not, how likely am I to develop NASH? 90018 90017 Do I have cirrhosis? If not, how likely am I to develop cirrhosis? 90018 90017 Do I need to lose weight? How can I do so safely? 90018 90017 Should I be taking any medication to control my cholesterol and triglyceride levels? 90018 90017 What medications or other substances should I avoid to protect my liver? 90018 90025 90009 Prevention and reversal of fatty liver disease 90010 There are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but some steps may help prevent or reverse some of the damage.90002 In general, if you have fatty liver, and in particular if you have NASH, you should: 90003 90016 90017 lose weight — safely. This usually means losing no more than half to one kilogram (one to two pounds) a week 90018 90017 lower your triglycerides through diet, medication or both 90018 90017 avoid alcohol 90018 90017 control your diabetes, if you have it 90018 90017 eat a balanced, healthy diet 90018 90017 increase your physical activity 90018 90017 get regular check-ups from a doctor who specialises in liver care.90018 90025 90014 Treatment for fatty liver disease 90015 Fatty liver is currently the focus of intense research. Scientists are studying whether various medications can help reduce liver inflammation, including new diabetes medications that may help you even if you do not have diabetes. These include metformin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone and betaine.Another drug being investigated is orlistat (Xenical), a medication that blocks the absorption of some of the fat from your food. Early results indicate that orlistat may reduce the amount of fat in the liver.90009 Where to get help 90010 90002 90009 Content Partner 90010 90003 90002 This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Gut Foundation Research Institute 90003 90002 Last updated: November 2018 90003 90002 Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. 90003 .90000 Liver — Better Health Channel 90001 90002 The liver is on the upper right side of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. It is the largest internal organ of the human body and weighs around 1.5kg in the average adult. 90003 90002 Blood from the digestive system must first filter through the liver before it travels anywhere else in the body. 90003 90002 The main roles of the liver include: 90003 90008 90009 removing toxins from the body 90010 90009 processing food nutrients 90010 90009 helping to regulate body metabolism.90010 90015 90002 Conditions that can prevent the liver from performing its vital functions include: 90003 90008 90009 fat accumulation 90010 90009 alcohol misuse 90010 90009 viral infection 90010 90009 iron or copper accumulation 90010 90009 toxic damage 90010 90009 cancer. 90010 90015 90002 The most common cause of liver disease is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( ‘fatty liver’). Cirrhosis is the end-result of many liver conditions. It involves severe scarring of the liver (with liver nodule formation).Cirrhosis is associated with a progressive decline in liver function resulting in liver failure. 90003 90034 Functions of the liver 90035 90002 Some of the many functions of the liver include: 90003 90008 90009 The liver converts carbohydrates into glucose for instantly available energy. It also converts glucose into its storable form (glycogen). When blood sugar levels drop, glycogen is converted back into glucose. 90010 90009 Amino acids from protein are sent to the liver for the production of body proteins such as hormones.90010 90009 The liver produces important body proteins such as albumin. 90010 90009 The liver is involved in the production of blood clotting factors. 90010 90009 Bile, produced by the liver, is stored in the gall bladder and used to help break down dietary fats. (Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K need bile in order to be absorbed by the body.) 90010 90009 Ammonia is a toxic by-product of protein metabolism. The liver changes ammonia into urea, which is then excreted in urine.90010 90009 Medication and drugs, including alcohol, are filtered through the liver. They are neutralised or converted into other forms by special enzymes. 90010 90015 90034 Symptoms of liver disease 90035 90002 Symptoms of liver disease depend on the disorder, but can include: 90003 90008 90009 jaundice (the skin or whites of the eye turn yellow) 90010 90009 dark urine 90010 90009 nausea 90010 90009 vomiting 90010 90009 diarrhoea 90010 90009 appetite loss 90010 90009 weight loss 90010 90009 general malaise 90010 90009 fever 90010 90009 bloated abdomen, swollen ankles 90010 90009 abdominal pain in the upper right side 90010 90009 anaemia, vomiting blood or passing black stools (denoting altered blood) 90010 90009 changes in mental state — altered sleep pattern (awake at night), confusion, drowsiness.90010 90015 90034 Causes of liver disease 90035 90002 Some of the causes of liver disease include: 90003 90008 90009 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( ‘fatty liver’) 90010 90009 hepatitis virus infections 90010 90009 alcohol-related liver disease 90010 90009 toxic effect of medications, herbal medicines 90010 90009 liver injury resulting from cells of the immune system attacking the liver 90010 90009 inherited ( ‘congenital’) abnormalities of the liver — these may involve 90008 90009 accumulation of iron and copper in the body 90010 90009 some rare enzyme disorders 90010 90015 90010 90009 conditions leading to liver cell or bile duct damage.90010 90015 90034 Disorders of the liver 90035 90002 Some disorders of the liver include: 90003 90008 90009 fatty liver — this is the most common of the alcohol-induced liver disorders. Fat accumulates inside the liver cells, causing cell enlargement (steatosis) and sometimes cell damage (steatohepatitis). This can lead to cirrhosis. Similar changes are also seen in people who do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol but are overweight, obese or have diabetes. The liver becomes enlarged, causing discomfort on the upper right side of the abdomen 90010 90009 cirrhosis — this has many causes, but is commonly due to hepatitis infection or excessive alcohol intake.The cells of the liver are progressively replaced by scar tissue, which seriously impairs liver functioning 90010 90009 hepatitis — a general term meaning inflammation of the liver. It is also used to refer to infections of the liver by specific viruses (hepatitis A to E) 90010 90009 haemochromatosis — this inherited disease makes the body absorb and store higher than normal amounts of iron. This damages many organs including the liver, pancreas and heart 90010 90009 autoimmune liver disorders — damage resulting from an abnormal immune response to liver cells.These conditions are rare. They may include: 90008 90009 autoimmune hepatitis (mostly women affected) 90010 90009 primary biliary cholangitis (mostly women affected) 90010 90009 primary sclerosing cholangitis (more common in men) 90010 90015 90010 90009 cancer — primary cancers can arise in the liver, most often in patients with cirrhosis. Stray cancer cells from a tumour elsewhere in the body may cause a secondary tumour in the liver 90010 90009 galactosaemia — the body’s reaction to particular milk sugars damages the liver and other organs.This is a rare inherited disorder 90010 90009 alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency — this is another rare inherited disorder. It can cause cirrhosis of the liver and lung damage 90010 90009 Wilson disease — a genetic disorder where the liver can not excrete copper. Various organs of the body, including the liver and brain, are affected by the excessively high copper levels. 90010 90015 90034 Complications of liver disease 90035 90002 Without treatment, complications from liver disease may include: 90003 90008 90009 hepatic encephalopathy — scar tissue prevents the proper flow of blood through the liver, so that toxins remain.These circulating toxins, particularly ammonia, affect brain functioning and can lead to a coma 90010 90009 ascites — where liver disease cause a build-up of body sodium ( ‘salt’), which leads to fluid retention in the abdominal cavity. Fluid retention in the legs, feet and back may also occur. This is called oedema 90010 90009 liver failure — the liver cells are destroyed faster than the liver can replace them, until the organ can no longer function adequately 90010 90009 cancer — cirrhosis or some forms of hepatitis can make the liver more susceptible to primary cancer (cancer that originates in the liver) 90010 90009 gastrointestinal bleeding — the veins that normally travel through the liver may be blocked because of cirrhosis.These veins then bypass the liver and may travel along the stomach or oesophagus lining, where they may rupture and bleed. 90010 90015 90034 Diagnosis of liver disease 90035 90002 Liver disease is diagnosed using a number of tests, including: 90003 90008 90009 physical examination — the liver may be enlarged 90010 90009 medical history — including medications and lifestyle factors such as: 90008 90009 diet and alcohol consumption 90010 90009 exposure to hepatitis viral infections 90010 90009 blood transfusions 90010 90009 tattoos 90010 90009 family history of liver disease 90010 90015 90010 90009 blood tests — to check: 90008 90009 the levels of liver enzymes 90010 90009 jaundice 90010 90009 the protein production capability of the liver 90010 90015 90010 90009 ultrasound scan of the abdomen ( ‘belly’) — this is a three-dimensional scan using sound waves.It is used to look at the liver and other organs, check their size and shape. It is also used to check the liver for abnormal lumps and assess fluid accumulation 90010 90009 other scans — including computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 90010 90009 transient elastography (FibroScan®) — a scanning device using ultrasound waves to assess liver scarring by measuring how stiff the liver is 90010 90009 biopsy — a small piece of liver tissue is removed and examined under the microscope in a laboratory.90010 90015 90034 Treatment for liver disease 90035 90002 Treatment depends on the cause, but may include: 90003 90008 90009 avoiding alcohol and any drugs that might damage the liver 90010 90009 a well-balanced, nutritious diet — some people need a modified diet (for example, low salt) 90010 90009 medications, such as antiviral drugs to treat viral infections 90010 90009 specific medications to manage Wilson disease 90010 90009 periodic removal of blood to bring iron levels down to normal (in patients with haemochromatosis) 90010 90009 surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or liver transplantation are the usual treatments for liver cancer 90010 90009 liver transplant may be a treatment option for people whose liver is failing.90010 90015 90034 Where to get help 90035 90002 90034 Content Partner 90035 90003 90002 This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Canberra Hospital — Gastroenterology Unit 90003 90002 Last updated: April 2020 90003 90002 Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. 90003 .90000 Liver and cholesterol: What’s the link? 90001 90002 Most cholesterol in the body is made in the liver and is necessary for good health. But some forms of cholesterol can cause several health issues, including damage to the liver. 90003 90002 Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is found in some foods as well as being made in the liver. 90003 90002 There are two primary forms of cholesterol, one that is useful to the body, and one that can build up and cause health problems. 90003 90002 High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are the two main types of cholesterol.90003 90002 Scientists measure levels of cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) of blood. 90003 90002 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest the following as healthy levels of cholesterol: 90003 90014 90015 LDL should be less than 100 mg / dL 90016 90015 HDL should be 40 mg / dL or higher 90016 90019 90020 What does HDL do? 90021 90002 HDL takes cholesterol from the cells in the body to the liver. The liver breaks it down or passes it out of the body as a waste product.90003 90002 This function is useful to the body, so HDL is sometimes called «good cholesterol.» 90003 90020 What does LDL do? 90021 90002 LDL takes cholesterol from the liver to the cells. Cells use cholesterol but too much can build up in the arteries. 90003 90002 This buildup in the arteries can cause health problems so that doctors sometimes refer to LDL as «bad cholesterol.» 90003 90002 When a person has high levels of LDL, they are often referred to as having «high cholesterol.» This condition can increase the risk of developing several health problems.90003 90002 Cholesterol can build up in the arteries, which are the major blood vessels in the body. They can become narrower, as a result, which restricts the supply of blood and oxygen to the organs. 90003 90002 Narrowing of the arteries can also increase the risk of blood clots. 90003 90002 If blood flow to the heart is restricted, it can increase the risk for coronary heart disease. This includes angina, heart attacks, and heart failure. 90003 90002 If blood flow to the brain is restricted, it can increase the risk of stroke.90003 90020 Can liver disease cause high cholesterol? 90021 90002 There are many different liver diseases. 90003 90002 Hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD are some of the most common liver diseases. 90003 90002 Liver disease causes damage to the liver, which can mean that it is not able to work as well. 90003 90002 One of the functions of the liver is to break down cholesterol. If the liver is not working properly, it can cause cholesterol to build up in the body.90003 90020 How does cholesterol impact the liver? 90021 90002 A diet can create fat around the liver if it is high in cholesterol. This scenario can lead to NAFLD, which may result in liver damage long-term. 90003 90002 NAFLD can increase the risk of health problems, such as a stroke or diabetes. If the condition is found and treated at an early stage, it is often possible to stop it from getting worse. 90003 90002 A person can also reduce the amount of fat in their liver at an early stage.90003 90002 Usually, high cholesterol does not cause any symptoms. 90003 90002 But a simple blood test measures cholesterol levels. 90003 90002 A doctor may recommend a cholesterol test if a person has a family history of heart disease, a medical condition such as diabetes, or if they are overweight. 90003 90002 A liver biopsy or liver function test is usually used to diagnose liver disease. 90003 90002 A biopsy will remove a tiny piece of liver tissue to test for disease. A liver function test is a blood test that can measure proteins and enzymes in the blood.90003 90002 The levels of these proteins and enzymes can show if the liver is damaged. 90003 90002 A person can make lifestyle changes and sometimes take medication to treat high cholesterol. Usually, they will be encouraged to make changes to diet and exercise first. If they are overweight, they may be advised to lose weight. 90003 90002 A doctor may prescribe medication if these changes do not lower cholesterol after a few months. 90003 90002 The most common medication is statins, which a person needs to take for life.Statins are drugs that block a chemical in the liver that makes cholesterol. 90003 90002 Treatment for liver disease depends on what type of liver disease a person is experiencing. It will usually involve lifestyle changes, medication, or sometimes, a liver transplant if the liver is too damaged to function. 90003 90002 Diet can help to cut the risk of developing liver disease and may reduce its impact. Keeping to a healthy weight is an essential way to maintain good overall health. 90003 90002 What a person is recommended to eat or drink may be different for each specific liver disease.A doctor will be able to advise on diet and exercise. 90003 90020 Alcohol 90021 90002 A person who has alcohol-related liver disease will usually be advised to stop drinking alcohol. Eating enough protein and carbohydrates as part of a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight. 90003 90020 Foods to eat and avoid 90021 90002 Cutting down on fatty foods may reduce the impact of a fatty liver or NAFLD. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and foods such as bread and potatoes that release energy slowly can help.90003 90002 A diet with plenty of protein is a way of obtaining adequate energy supplies without eating high-cholesterol foods. Eggs, nuts, chicken breast, and pulses are excellent sources of protein. 90003 90002 Eating regularly and snacking between meals can be a healthful way for a person to get enough fuel. 90003 90002 A person can help prevent health problems, such as damage to the liver, by reducing high levels of LDL cholesterol. 90003 90002 They can lower cholesterol by eating a healthful diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables.90003 90002 Saturated fats contain a high level of cholesterol. 90003 90002 Many fast foods, cakes, butter, fatty meats such as sausages, full-fat cheese, and cream contain saturated fats. 90003 90002 Taking regular exercise can help to lower a person’s cholesterol. Giving up smoking can also be beneficial. 90003 90002 Making changes to diet and exercise are ways a person can manage high cholesterol. And they will need to maintain these changes to avoid high cholesterol returning. 90003 90002 The liver can repair itself up to a certain point.This means that someone may be able to reduce the damage that has been done if they discover liver disease at an early stage. 90003 90002 Losing weight if needed, eating a healthful diet, exercising, and cutting down on alcohol can help to reduce the impact of liver disease. 90003.